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South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Saudi Super Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo's in Hong Kong, but who else is coming?
Hong Kong is this week playing host to the Saudi Super Cup, which is why Cristiano Ronaldo is in town. Advertisement The tournament has been running annually since 2013 but this is the third edition of its four-team format. It brings together the winners and runners-up from the Saudi Pro League and the country's King's Cup in a mini-tournament, comprising two semi-finals and a final at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong is its third overseas host city after London – three times – and Abu Dhabi. Al-Nassr will play Al-Ittihad on Tuesday in the first semi-final. Al-Qadsiah will take on Al-Ahli on Wednesday in the second. Let's take a look at the teams taking part. Al-Ittihad Manager: Laurent Blanc
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Returning starlets provide excitement for Al Ittihad
After the winning the Roshn Saudi League last season, the prospect of Al Ittihad strengthening ahead of the new season is a scary one for the other 17 clubs. But with the return of a host of young stars from various loan spells around the world, that is precisely the scenario about to play out in Jeddah. It was a near-perfect campaign for Al Ittihad last term, where everything they touched seemed to turn to gold. From a new coach in Laurent Blanc, to new signings like Steven Bergwijn and Moussa Diaby, and a reinvigorated Karim Benzema. It was a season where everything appeared to go right. While they won't be resting on their laurels and will be busily strategising to be even stronger in 2025-26, by default Al Ittihad already will be. That's because of the return of a number of promising young stars from loan spells across the country and, indeed, the world. Two of those are Faisal Al Ghamdi and Marwan Al Sahafi, who arrive back after an eventful campaign in Belgium with Beerschot. The duo, aged 23 and 21 respectively, impressed in their first season abroad, winning the plaudits of fans and media alike and showcasing their talent on the European stage. Al Sahafi finished the Belgian Pro League with six goals and one assist, while Al Ghamdi started all 26 matches that he played, averaging 84 minutes per game. Deployed deeper in midfield, he contributed a goal and an assist. While Al Ittihad may ultimately look for other loan moves for the pair, their initial return certainly bolsters the champions' midfield and attacking options. Both will have taken plenty from their Belgian experience, learned more about their games and how to maximise their strengths. Thus, they come back as better, smarter and more well-rounded players than when they left. 'It's invaluable for our development to get a lot of minutes in a strong European league," Al Ghamdi told FIFA earlier this year. 'Of course some things are different, but it was good for us to be able to come here and play regularly and not lose any minutes.' Talal Haji, the prodigiously talented teenage striker, is another back at Al Ittihad, this time after six months at Al Riyadh. The 17-year-old shot to prominence in the 2023-24 RSL when he became the youngest goalscorer in the competition history, concluding the campaign with two goals and three assists. Now, with another season of professional football under his belt, Haji will no doubt be ready to take the next step in his burgeoning career. The same is also true of Ahmed Al Ghamdi, who returns to Al Ittihad after six months on loan at newly promoted outfit NEOM SC. The 23-year-old midfielder, who grew up in Canada, where he made his pro debut before returning to Saudi Arabia, impressed at his parent club in several cameos late in the 2023-24 season. Like his peers, more regular game time on loan will stand him in way better stead going forward. Averaging close to 70 minutes per game across his 16 appearances for NEOM SC, for almost the first time in his career Al Ghamdi was able to string together consecutive and consistent performances. He ended his spell in the Saudi First Division League with two goals and eight assists; the latter the equal-second best record in the second tier - yet achieved in only half a season. It was that type of form that saw Al Ghamdi earn a recall to the national team under Herve Renard, and with the crucial Fourth Round of Asian Qualifiers for next year's FIFA World Cup to take place in early October, the Al Ittihad man will be keen to press his case. As will namesake Faisal Al Ghamdi and Al Sahafi, who are part of the next generation looking to cement their place in Renard's side. Of course, decisive displays for Al Ittihad will go a long way towards that. 'For us younger players, we need to do everything we can and make sure we can influence games and help the team to reach the World Cup,' Al Sahafi said in that same FIFA interview. 'This is normal that our target is to go to the World Cup, and I will be doing all I can to help the team achieve that goal. I want to make sure I can do everything I can to get to that World Cup. 'We will fight from the first until the last minute to do what we need to in order to go to the World Cup - and we are ready for that challenge.'
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How important is winning U21 Euros to senior success?
England are just two games from making it back-to-back European Under-21 Championship Carsley's side, who won the tournament in 2023, face the Netherlands in the semi-final of this year's competition on Thursday (17:00 BST).Germany play France in the other semi at 20: how important is winning the competition? What do the winners usually go on to do? Do the winners go on to have senior success? Of the 24 teams to win the European Under-21 Championship, 10 of them have gone on to win either the World Cup or the senior Euros in the next 12 of those have featured players from that successful U21 course there is still time for Germany, winners in 2017 and 2021, and England in 2023 to do five have reached a final in that time frame but teams to win the U21 Euros and a major tournament are:1988 France (1998 World Cup)1998 Spain (Euro 2008)1994, 1996, 2000 and 2004 Italy (2006 World Cup)2009 Germany (2014 World Cup) 2011 Spain (Euro 2012)2013, 2019 Spain (Euro 2024)Of those, Spain, in Euro 2008, were the only team not to have any members of their successful U21 squad. What about the successful players? As the table above shows, 29 players have won the U21 Euros and then a major senior tournament - including Laurent Blanc, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Totti and Manuel just counting the winning team, many of the world's best players have impressed at previous European Under-21 the players to win the best player of the tournament award were Rudi Voller, Blanc, Davor Suker, Luis Figo, Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo, Petr Cech, Juan Mata, Thiago and Fabian there are a few outliers. Renato Buso and the late Francesc Arnau never won a senior cap for Italy or Spain respectively, while Royston Drenthe only played once for the Netherlands. Arsenal's Fabio Vieira, 25, has yet to feature for the Portugal senior Marcus Berg had a good goal-laden career, although never played for one of Europe's top clubs. The list of Golden Boot winners is more of a mixed Pirlo, despite being a midfielder, Alberto Gilardino and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar were among the previous Massimo Maccarone, Maceo Rigters, Jan Kliment or Luca Waldschmidt are unlikely to have any statues made of Nick Woltemade is the top scorer in this tournament with five goals - two clear of three different players. How about previous England winners? England won the tournament in 1982, 1984 and 2023. Mark Hateley, in 1984, and Anthony Gordon, in 2023, were named player of the half of those 1982 and 1984 squads never won a senior cap for England - and none of them went on to be Three Lions who was in both squads, went on to win the most caps, 32, with five more players reaching 10 caps or the 2023 winners, the most notable current star is Cole Palmer - and another six were in Thomas Tuchel's last England Levi Colwill, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Morgan Gibbs-White, Emile Smith Rowe, Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones, Angel Gomes and Noni Madueke have all won senior caps.
Gulf Insider
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
Three Takeaways: Al Ittihad Wins King's Cup To Complete First Double
Al Ittihad underlined its dominance of Saudi football in 2024-25 as it beat Al Qadsiah 3-1 to win the King's Cup in Jeddah. Less than a week after officially being crowned Saudi Pro League champion for the 10th time, Al Ittihad also added a 10th King's Cup trophy – the first time in the club's history that it has won both titles in the same season. Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema was his team's hero as he scored twice in the final, while Agerian Houssem Aouar also netted for Laurent Blanc's side. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given Al Qadsiah some hope but Al Ittihad held out for a historic victory at King Abdullah Sports City, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presenting Benzema and his teammates with the King's Cup trophy. Here, Al Arabiya English brings you Three Takeaways from Al Ittihad's 3-1 King's Cup final triumph over Al Qadsiah. Although Al Ittihad is widely regarded as the second most successful club – after its great rival Al Hilal – in the history of Saudi football, the Jeddah giant had surprisingly never claimed a Saudi Pro League and King's Cup Double. The last chance Al Ittihad had to achieve the feat was back in 2009. Then coached by Argentine Gabriel Calderon, Al Ittihad lifted the Pro League title but was denied the Double by a rampant Al Shabab, which convincingly won the King's Cup final 2009. The same thing happened to Al Ittihad in 1982, when Al Hilal emerged as 3-1 victor in the King's Cup final. Al Ittihad has also been prevented from winning the Double by circumstance. The King's Cup was not played between 1991 and 2007, and during that time Al Ittihad managed to win both the Crown Prince's Cup and Pro League titles in the same season on two occasions – 1997 and 2003; had the King's Cup been held, Al Ittihad would have certainly been favorite to lift it. But on Friday night, Al Ittihad's fans could finally celebrate a maiden Pro League and King's Cup Double. For Laurent Blanc, it was a third Double of his coaching career, having achieved the feat with PSG in 2015 and 2016. The former France captain also managed to do so as a player with Auxerre in 1996. Blanc had spoken ahead of the final about it being a 'special kind of match' and Al Ittihad's players delivered for their supporters – securing a first King's Cup triumph since 2018. That the Double was completed at Al Ittihad's own King Abdullah Sports City Stadium also made the night even sweeter for the club. 'Al Ittihad fans in Jeddah are a vital part of this club's identity,' Blanc said. On the pitch in Jeddah, it was Al Ittihad's man for the big occasion who again came up with the goods. Benzema's influence this season has been undeniable – both in his role as a senior leader in the dressing-room and with his performances on the pitch. When the pressure has been on in 2024-25, Benzema has consistently delivered. The ex-Real Madrid striker put Al Ittihad ahead in the 34th-minute, completing a move that also involved Moussa Diaby and Steven Bergwijn. That front three has been irrepressible for Al Ittihad over the past few months and it was apt that they combined for the opening goal of the final. Diaby released Bergwijn, whose cross found Benzema; the Al Ittihad captain improvised impressively to chest the ball past Al Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels. Diaby and Benzema were involved again for Al Ittihad's second nine minutes later. French winger Diaby stood the ball up for his compatriot, who saw his powerful header magnificently saved by Casteels. Sadly for the Belgian shot-stopper, his defense did not react quickly enough to prevent Houssem Aouar from stealing in at close range to nod home and double his team's lead. It was the 13th goal of what has been the most prolific campaign of midfielder Aouar's career to date. Al Qadsiah reduced the arrears thanks to a penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in first-half stoppage time but when midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez was red carded in the 81st minute, it left the team from Dammam facing an uphill battle to equalize. And in the 94th minute, Benzema struck again – with yet another clutch contribution for his team. Once more it was Diaby who provided the assist, enabling Benzema to sweep the ball past Casteels for the 25th goal of a magnificent season for Al Ittihad's No. 9. It was fitting that Benzema, this week named Saudi Pro League Player of the Year, was the man to put the exclamation point on Al Ittihad's historic Double triumph. Nine months ago, Al Qadsiah was a newly promoted side whose primary goal was to stay in the Saudi Pro League in its first season back in the top flight. But led by savvy Spaniard Michel, Al Qadsiah has defied expectations from day one – staying around the Pro League's top three for almost the entirety of the campaign. This was chiefly thanks to a series of intelligent summer 2024 signings – including defender Nacho Fernandez from Real Madrid, goalkeeper Koen Casteels from Wolfsburg, and forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Julián Quiñones from Marseille and Club America respectively. The latter pair have been sensational for Al Qadsiah. Quiñones finished the season on 25 goals from 33 games and ended as the King's Cup top scorer with five goals. Aubameyang managed 21 in 36 across all competitions and scored in every round of the King's Cup in which he played – netting Al Qadsiah's winner in the semifinal and also bagging in the final. Aubameyang's coolly-taken penalty in Jeddah looked to have helped his team get back into the game, before Benzema's second broke Al Qadsiah hearts. As one of the most consistent sides in Saudi Arabia in 2024-24, a maiden King's Cup title would have been a fitting reward for a fine season for Michel and his players. Al Qadsiah has made a significant impression on the Kingdom's football landscape this season – competing successfully with the PIF-owned 'big four' of Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ahli. But it finishes the campaign empty handed. A defeat to Al Hilal last week meant Al Nassr pipped Al Qadsiah to third place in the Pro League; the loss to Al Ittihad means it will be Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, not Al Qadsiah, now competing in the AFC Champions League Two in 2025-26. Still, Al Qadsiah will now regroup and with further smart additions in the coming months, there is no reason that the club cannot be a contender for major trophies again next season.
Reuters
30-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Benzema leads Al-Ittihad to Saudi Cup win and domestic double
May 30 (Reuters) - Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema scored twice to lead his side to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Cup final on Friday as they completed the domestic double. Laurent Blanc's side dominated the game to win the cup for the 10th time, while Al-Qadsiah finished the game with 10 men after Ezequiel Fernandez was sent off in the 81st minute. Moussa Diaby nearly put Al-Ittihad ahead but missed a chance in the 21st minute. Al-Qadsiah's former Spain defender Nacho escaped conceding a penalty when the ball touched his hand, but the referee didn't award a spot kick despite a VAR check in the 32nd minute. Benzema opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League champions, using his chest to convert Steven Bergwijn's precise cross 11 minutes before the interval. Houssem Aouar made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute by following up after Koen Casteels saved a header from Benzema. Al-Qadsiah's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Benzema, who won the SPL Player of the Season, hit the bar after the break, but Al-Ittihad were more cautious as they looked to maintain their lead. Al-Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic saved Aubameyang's shot in the 80th minute and Al-Qadsiah suffered a big blow when Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card, forcing them to play with 10 men for the final minutes. Then 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema scored his side's third goal, firing in Diaby's low cross in stoppage time, before Aubameyang's shot hit the woodwork.
