Latest news with #MohammedAlShalhoub
Saudi Gazette
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Milinković-Savić stunner rescues Al Hilal from late defeat at Al Wehda
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — A stoppage-time strike from Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić salvaged a 1-1 draw for Al Hilal against Al Wehda on Wednesday, denying the Riyadh giants their first defeat under interim coach Mohammed Al Shalhoub. With the league title already clinched by Al Ittihad, Al Hilal's focus has shifted to securing a top-two finish and a place in next season's AFC Champions League Elite. The result takes Hilal to 72 points, maintaining a four-point cushion over third-placed Al Qadsiah heading into the final round. Al Wehda had taken the lead just six minutes after the restart through Abdulaziz Noor, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to give the Makkah side a surprise advantage. But just as the home fans were beginning to celebrate, Milinković-Savić produced a thunderous finish in the second minute of added time to level the score and preserve Al Hilal's unbeaten record under their legendary former captain, who stepped in following Jorge Jesus' departure. Al Wehda, meanwhile, edged slightly further from the relegation zone, now sitting three points above the drop line with one match left to play.
Arab News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Al-Hilal keep slim Saudi Pro League title hopes alive with comfortable win
Al-Hilal defeated Al-Orobah 4-0 on Monday to keep their slim Saudi Pro League title hopes alive. The reigning champions are six points behind leaders Al-Ittihad with just three games remaining. After the Jeddah giants enjoyed a comfortable win on Sunday, defeating Al-Fayha 3-0 at home, the pressure was on their Riyadh rivals, also playing at home. Interim coach Mohammed Al-Shalhoub, who took over this month after the departure of Jorge Jesus, knew that only a win would do against the relegation battlers. As expected, the Blues attacked from the start but the visitors defended deeply and in numbers. Hamad Al-Yami almost put the home side ahead at the midway point of the first half. After making a run on the right side, he was picked out by a fine floated pass from Ruben Neves but the full-back, stretching at close range, could not get enough power on his shot. The home fans, who failed to turn up in large numbers, did not have to wait for much longer before the deadlock was broken, however. Salem Al-Dawsari has been in fine goal-scoring form of late, but just before the half-hour mark he turned provider with a perfect cross from the left side of the penalty area for Aleksandar Mitrovic, unmarked at the edge of the six-yard box, to steer home. Just before half-time, the goalscorer went down in the box under a challenge but the referee waved play on. The attacks continued after the restart and the task Al-Orubah faced became more difficult within two minutes when Ibrahim Al-Zubaidi was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Malcom. On the hour, Mohammed Kanno's fierce effort from outside the area stung the palms of Gaetan Coucke and, despite the lead and the extra-man advantage, there was always a chance that the visitors might grab a goal that could all but hand the trophy to Al-Ittihad. However, Al-Hilal effectively sealed the win in the 65th minute, thanks to that man Al-Dawsari, who scored a typically classy goal. Cutting in from the left, he exchanged swift passes with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as he moved into the area and then lifted a perfect chip over the advancing goalkeeper. Two late goals added to the ultimately emphatic nature of the victory: Kaio Cesar scored from the spot in the 90th minute and then grabbed another two minutes later. The title still seems likely to be heading to Jeddah but Al-Hilal are at least showing they will not be just handing it over without a fight.
Arab News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Al-Hilal host Al-Orobah at Kingdom Arena
RIYADH: Al-Hilal host Al-Orobah in a first meeting between the two sides at the Kingdom Arena at 7:05pm today, Monday, as part of Round 31 of the Saudi Pro League (Roshn League). For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Both teams head into the match looking to extend their winning streaks — Al-Hilal defeated Al-Raed 5-3, while Al-Orobah overcame Al-Riyadh 4-2 in the previous round. The two sides have previously faced off five times in the Pro League, with no matches ending in a draw. Al-Hilal won four of those encounters, while Al-Orobah claimed one victory. In their most recent clash, which took place at Al-Jouf University Stadium in Round 13 of the first half of the season, Al-Hilal recorded their largest-ever win over Al-Orobah, scoring five goals. Interim Al-Hilal coach Mohammed Al-Shalhoub aims to secure all three points and maintain pressure on league leaders Al-Ittihad, who currently sit six points ahead. He is expected to rely on the same lineup that faced Al-Raed, with the return of Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo. On the other side, Al-Orobah's Spanish coach Antonio Cazorla hopes to win and move away from the relegation zone, counting on key players including Syrian striker Omar Al-Somah, Spaniard Cristian Tello, and Jordanian defender Muhannad Abu Taha. Al-Hilal currently sit second in the league table with 65 points, while Al-Orobah is in 16th place with 30 points. And at 9:00pm Al-Okhdood's football team will be aiming for their first-ever victory over Al-Nassr at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Najran. The two teams have met three times in the Pro League, with Al-Nassr winning all three matches. Al-Okhdood is now seeking their first victory against the Yellow team in the top flight. Al-Okhdood currently sit in 17th place — second from bottom — with 28 points, and is fighting to avoid relegation. The team will be missing one of its key players, Brazilian midfielder Petros Matheus, due to injury. On the other hand, Al-Nassr is in fourth place in the league table with 60 points and is looking to bounce back from a 3-2 home defeat to Al-Ittihad in the previous round. It's worth noting that the first-leg match between the two sides ended in a 3-1 victory for Al-Nassr, with Sadio Mane scoring twice and Cristiano Ronaldo adding a goal, while Saviour Godwin scored Al-Okhdood's goal.
Saudi Gazette
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Salem Al-Dossary hat-trick powers Al Hilal to wild 5-3 win over Al Raed
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Al Hilal claimed their first win under interim head coach Mohammed Al Shalhoub with a thrilling 5-3 victory over bottom-placed Al Raed on Thursday in Matchweek 30 of the Saudi Pro League. Club captain Salem Al Dawsari led the charge with a brilliant hat-trick to help the reigning champions bounce back after their AFC Champions League Elite semi-final exit to Al Ahli and the subsequent departure of Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus. Al Hilal took the lead in the 32nd minute when Aleksandar Mitrovic found the net, before Al Dawsari doubled the advantage nine minutes later with a sharp finish from inside the box. Kareem El Berkaoui pulled one back for Al Raed just before halftime, blasting in from close range to make it 2-1. Al Hilal regained control early in the second half. Al Dawsari scored again in the 59th minute with a low strike, and Malcom added the fourth goal in the 66th after a well-worked team move. El Berkaoui, however, responded almost immediately, capitalizing on a misjudgment from Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to score his second of the night. Al Dawsari completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute with a stunning solo effort, cutting inside from the left and rifling a shot into the top corner to make it 5-2. Al Raed were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, which Saleh Al Amri converted for the game's final goal, but it did little to alter the outcome. The win takes Al Hilal up to 65 points in second place, three behind league leaders Al Ittihad. Al Raed remain rooted to the bottom of the table with 21 points and are facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation. The victory also marked a promising start for Al Shalhoub in his first senior managerial assignment, with Al Hilal showing renewed attacking flair and purpose.
Saudi Gazette
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Hilal part ways with Jorge Jesus, appoint Al Shalhoub as interim coach
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Al Hilal have officially announced the departure of Portuguese head coach Jorge Jesus following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, marking the end of a tenure that started with promise but ended in disappointment after the team fell out of title contention. The decision was taken after a thorough review of recent performances, most notably the club's exit from the AFC Champions League Elite at the hands of domestic rivals Al Ahli. In a swift move, Al Hilal appointed former captain and club icon Mohammed Al Shalhoub as interim head coach for the remainder of the Saudi Pro League season — his first managerial role since retirement. Jesus initially joined Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 on a one-year contract. After guiding the team to a domestic treble — winning the league, King's Cup, and Super Cup during the 2023–24 season — he was rewarded with a one-year extension. Al Hilal began the current campaign on a high note, clinching the Saudi Super Cup by beating Al Ahli in the semi-final and archrivals Al Nassr in the final. The team also made a strong start in the league but began to unravel following a break in December for the Gulf Cup, in which the national team participated. Upon resumption, Al Hilal were eliminated from the King's Cup by Al Ittihad, sparking a series of poor results, including defeats to title challengers Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, and Al Ahli in the league, and a drop in form that left their title hopes in tatters. Despite early setbacks in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 against Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, the team mounted a comeback in the second leg with strong fan support, only to later suffer a crushing quarter-final loss to Al Ahli. As fan frustration mounted, calls for Jesus' dismissal grew louder, citing the team's physical and tactical regression. However, the club's board initially stuck by their coach, renewing confidence in his leadership. The breaking point came with the AFC exit, prompting the final decision to part ways. Al Shalhoub, a lifelong servant of the club and one of the most decorated players in Al Hilal's history, now steps into the spotlight with the task of steadying the team in the remaining fixtures and preparing the squad for a potential managerial overhaul this summer.
