Latest news with #SaudiProLeagueGoldenBoot
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Soccer-Portuguese coach Castro joins Al-Wasl for fresh start in UAE
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Riyadh v Al Nassr - Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 23, 2024 Al Nassr coach Luis Castro before the match REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo (Reuters) - -Portuguese coach Luis Castro has been given a shot at redemption in Middle Eastern football after former United Arab Emirates champions Al-Wasl appointed him for the upcoming season months after his high-profile exit from Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Castro, 63, departed the Saudi team in September following a title near-miss. Even with Ronaldo claiming the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot during his tenure, Castro's inability to deliver the championship ultimately cost him his position in Riyadh. "Al-Wasl officially signed the Portuguese coach Luis Castro to lead 'the Emperor' in the upcoming competitions," the Dubai club announced on social media, welcoming him to their Zabeel headquarters. He replaces Serbian Milos Milojevic, who was dismissed after Al-Wasl finished only fourth in the league to miss out on the Asian Champions League Elite. The well-travelled Castro, whose coaching career includes stints at Qatar's Al Duhail, Brazil's Botafogo and Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, now faces the challenge of elevating Al-Wasl from AFC Champions League Two contenders back to the UAE summit. (Writing by Ashraf Hamed Atta in Cairo; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Portuguese coach Castro joins Al-Wasl for fresh start in UAE
-Portuguese coach Luis Castro has been given a shot at redemption in Middle Eastern football after former United Arab Emirates champions Al-Wasl appointed him for the upcoming season months after his high-profile exit from Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Castro, 63, departed the Saudi team in September following a title near-miss. Even with Ronaldo claiming the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot during his tenure, Castro's inability to deliver the championship ultimately cost him his position in Riyadh. "Al-Wasl officially signed the Portuguese coach Luis Castro to lead 'the Emperor' in the upcoming competitions," the Dubai club announced on social media, welcoming him to their Zabeel headquarters. He replaces Serbian Milos Milojevic, who was dismissed after Al-Wasl finished only fourth in the league to miss out on the Asian Champions League Elite. The well-travelled Castro, whose coaching career includes stints at Qatar's Al Duhail, Brazil's Botafogo and Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, now faces the challenge of elevating Al-Wasl from AFC Champions League Two contenders back to the UAE summit. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Portuguese coach Castro joins Al-Wasl for fresh start in UAE
June 4 (Reuters) - - Portuguese coach Luis Castro has been given a shot at redemption in Middle Eastern football after former United Arab Emirates champions Al-Wasl appointed him for the upcoming season months after his high-profile exit from Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Castro, 63, departed the Saudi team in September following a title near-miss. Even with Ronaldo claiming the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot during his tenure, Castro's inability to deliver the championship ultimately cost him his position in Riyadh. "Al-Wasl officially signed the Portuguese coach Luis Castro to lead 'the Emperor' in the upcoming competitions," the Dubai club announced on social media, welcoming him to their Zabeel headquarters. He replaces Serbian Milos Milojevic, who was dismissed after Al-Wasl finished only fourth in the league to miss out on the Asian Champions League Elite. The well-travelled Castro, whose coaching career includes stints at Qatar's Al Duhail, Brazil's Botafogo and Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, now faces the challenge of elevating Al-Wasl from AFC Champions League Two contenders back to the UAE summit.
Al Arabiya
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Three takeaways: Late drama in Dammam as Al Qadsiah and Al Ittihad draw
A 96th-minute goal from French midfielder N'Golo Kante broke Al Qadsiah hearts on Thursday night as Saudi Pro League leader Al Ittihad snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat. In a remarkable end to the game in Dammam, Al Qadsiah took the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the first minute of stoppage time - only to be denied five minutes later by Kante's intervention. A victory would have propelled Al Qadsiah to within four points of Laurent Blanc's side and right into the thick of the Saudi Pro League title race; instead Al Ittihad maintained its seven-point cushion, though fellow rival Al Hilal could now close that gap this weekend. Here, Al Arabiya English brings you three key takeaways from Al Qadsiah and Al Ittihad's 1-1 draw. A dramatic draw in Dammam Third-placed Al Qadsiah and Saudi Pro League leader Al Ittihad delivered a dose of high drama at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, with the game's thrilling conclusion proving an excellent advert for the Kingdom's top division. For 90 minutes, two of the league's leading teams went toe-to-toe in a hugely entertaining spectacle. But it was the finale that really caused fans to draw their collective breath. With both sides squandering opportunities to score a winner, it appeared the match was heading toward a stalemate. But a slick move from Al Qadsiah saw Uruguay international Nahitan Nández find himself in space down the right and he pulled the ball back into the penalty area. It fell to the ideal individual for Al Qadsiah as captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang used every ounce of his experience to calmly sweep the ball past Al Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. Ex-Arsenal and Barcelona forward Aubameyang has been a vital part of the team's success this season, with the 35-year-old's teammates always quick to praise not only his talent, but the professionalism and hunger he still brings to training each day. On Thursday night, however, Aubameyang's intervention was not a winning one for Al Qadsiah. Al Ittihad had its own Francophone veterans to call on, with Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante combining for the equalizer. Benzema's goal-scoring contributions have been well documented this season, with the striker in second place behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot. But the ex-Real Madrid and France striker has also been a generous provider for his teammates. Only Al Ittihad's Moussa Diaby and Al Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari - both wingers who are expected to contribute assists - have more than Benzema's eight Pro League assists. This time, as the clock ticked down, Benzema kept his cool to swing an inch-perfect cross toward Kante, who stole in at the back post to poke the ball home for the latest of late levelers. Quiñones off color but Casteels calm There were mixed fortunes in Dammam for two of Al Qadsiah's star players this season: striker Julián Quiñones and goalkeeper Koen Casteels. Both have contributed immensely as Michel's side has defied expectations to reach the upper echelons of the Saudi Pro League in its first campaign back in the top flight. Mexico forward Quiñones has been freescoring, netting 20 goals in 24 games in all competitions. But against Ittihad, it was a bad day at the office for the 27-year-old, who arrived from Club America last summer. He had three excellent opportunities to put Al Qadsiah ahead, but thrice failed to convert the chances. Five minutes into the game, Quiñones hammered the ball against the post with the goal at his mercy and minutes later he was superbly denied by young Ittihad defender Muath Faqeehi's last-ditch tackle. Then late in the game, Quiñones was clean through but fluffed his lines - his shot sailing high over the crossbar. Al Qadsiah fans will be quick to forgive, however, as only the second time this season - and first since October - that Quiñones has gone two successive games without scoring. At the other end of the pitch, Al Qadsiah was aided by another heroic display by goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The current Belgium national team No. 1 has kept 13 clean sheets in 24 matches this season, helping Al Qadsiah carve out the Saudi Pro League's best defensive record. For context, second place in the clean sheet rankings is Al Ahli's Edouard Mendy, with four fewer shutouts. On Thursday night, Casteels was in fine form again. He brilliantly tipped Houssem Aouar's spectacular long-range strike over the crossbar and then produced two saves in quick succession as Al Ittihad was probing for the winner in the last couple of minutes of normal time. On both occasions, Casteels superbly denied Steven Bergqijn from point-blank range - getting down low to divert the Dutchman's two efforts away from goal. Kante's late equalizer was particularly cruel for Casteels, who fell agonizingly short of a 14th clean sheet of the season. Title still Al Ittihad's to lose Late drama has now punctuated each of Al Ittihad's past three games. But after previously conceding stoppage-time equalizers to Al Khaleej and Al Akhdoud in potentially damaging draws, the tie in Dammam feels more like a point gained for Laurent Blanc's side. That was certainly the way the French coach saw it after the game. 'The main reason for today's result is the quality of the opponent,' Blanc said. 'We must commend Al Qadsiah and their coach for creating an outstanding team. This is a team that has defeated Al Nasr, then Al Hilal, and other competing teams, and that demands our respect. Despite the draw, I congratulate the players.' If Al Hilal beats Al Fayha on Friday as expected, the gap at the top of the table between leader Al Ittihad and its primary challenger would be reduced to four points. But with Al Hilal also looking increasingly fallible, Al Ittihad's Saudi Pro League title hopes remain firmly in its own hands. Next up for Blanc's side is a home clash with Al Riyadh before its King's Cup semifinal with Al Shabab after the international break. Then comes arguably Al Ittihad's biggest challenge between now and the end of the season - a pivotal Jeddah derby against Al Ahli on April 5. With 10 games of the season, there is no question that the title is Al Ittihad's to lose, but Blanc knows that for the club to win its 10th championship, he will have to coach his players through a pressure-filled period. '[We know] Everyone plays against us with intensity because we are at the top of the table,' Blanc said. 'We are aware of the strength of the competitors and the intensity of the competition. This means that the players must exert their utmost efforts and show their quality.'
Al Arabiya
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Three Takeaways: Al Ittihad takes control of SPL title race with ‘Clasico' win
A statement victory for Al Ittihad over Al Hilal on Saturday night saw the Jeddah giant extend its lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table to seven points. A Steven Bergwijn brace, plus goals from captain Karim Benzema and Hassan Kadesh, gave Ittihad a 4-1 win that now makes it the firm favorite to regain the title it last won in 2023. Although there is plenty of the season still to go, with 13 games remaining of the 2024-25 campaign, the match at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium was expected to be a barometer of the two teams' championship credentials. It was Al Ittihad which passed that test with flying colors, with Laurent Blanc's side now in pole position to win its 10th Saudi Pro League title. Here, Al Arabiya English brings you three key takeaways from Al Ittihad's 4-1 victory over Al Hilal in the match nicknamed the 'Saudi Clasico', as it brings together the Kingdom's two biggest clubs historically. Benzema matches Ronaldo With Cristiano Ronaldo failing to find the net in Al Nassr's 3-2 defeat to Al Ettifaq this weekend, Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema took full advantage – scoring a goal against Al Hilal that takes him joint-top in the race for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot. Ronaldo is the other man at the summit on 16 goals and Saudi football fans will continue to keep a close eye on what has emerged as an entertaining tussle between the two former Real Madrid team-mates to be the division's top scorer in 2024-25. Only twice in his career has Benzema scored more league goals than Ronaldo in a season – in 2021-22 and 2022-23 when the Frenchman was at Real Madrid and the Portuguese No. 7 was at Manchester United and then Al Nassr for half a season. In the victory over Al Hilal, Benzema improved his outstanding record in the current campaign to 16 goals in 18 games. Ittihad coach Blanc is managing to consistently coax out match-winning performances from his star striker and even though Benzema only contributed directly to one of his side's four goals against Al Hilal, his overall display was electric, with his intelligent movement and ability to smartly lay the ball off crucial in creating space for his team-mates. 'He has always scored in his career, when he was young in Lyon, in Madrid and now here,' Al Ittihad coach Blanc said after Saturday night's game. 'And he scores a lot. I hope for us, for him and for the fans that he will continue to play for another three or four years. Karim was like Mbappé today, he's a scoring machine. When you're lucky enough to have a scorer like Karim, or like Cristiano Ronaldo in your team, you're lucky.' Fresh faces key for Al Ittihad After last season's disastrous defense of its Saudi Pro League title, Al Ittihad has managed to turn things around and become competitive again. Excellent recruitment – both in terms of coach Blanc and the new arrivals he has overseen – has been crucial to the Jeddah giant's resurgence. Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković has been in inspired form between the posts, while Danilo Pereira has brought a steeliness to the center of Al Ittihad's defense that was lacking in 2024-25. Last season Ittihad shipped 54 goals, more than double Al Hilal and a total that gave it the eighth-worst defensive record in the Saudi Pro League. This time around, only Al Qadsiah and Al Ahli have conceded fewer than the current league leader. Further up the pitch, Dutchman Steven Bergwijn, France international Moussa Diaby and Algerian No. 10 Houssem Aouar have all proven to be inspired additions too. Diaby, Al Ittihad's record signing when he arrived from English Premier League club Aston Villa in a €60 million deal last summer, was at his creative best against Al Hilal. The winger set up Al Ittihad's first and last goals – for Hassan Kadesh and Karim Benzema – with his 12th and 13th assists of a fruitful debut season in the Kingdom. For context, Riyad Mahrez was the leading contributor of assists in 2023-24 with 14 for the entire season. Aouar has been a metronomic presence in midfield since joining from Serie A outfit Roma but it was ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax attacker Bergwijn whose contribution was most valuable against Al Hilal. High energy and electric pace have always been among Bergwijn's key qualities, but he has added finishing to his repertoire at Al Ittihad. The 27-year-old's double strike against Al Hilal means he has netted 10 times in the Saudi Pro League and he looks certain to beat his previous best seasonal haul of 14 Eredivisie goals for Ajax in 2018-19. Still hope for Al Hilal As Manchester City has seen in the English Premier League this season, when you are a champion team there is always a bigger bullseye on your back. Jorge Jesus' side is experiencing the same as City in the Kingdom; teams are finding better ways to contain Al Hilal's attacking threat and to break through its defense. Saturday's result was only the second time in the past three years that Al Hilal has conceded four goals in a game; the other occasions were when Real Madrid beat the Riyadh club 5-3 in the FIFA Club World Cup final in February 2022 and the 4-2 AFC Champions League semi-final loss to Al Ain last April. It is a somewhat puzzling conundrum that Jesus needs to urgently address. His all-conquering side from last year has been improved on paper, with new signings Marcos Leonardo and Joao Cancelo definitely doing their bit on an individual level – bedding in quickly and contributing plenty. But put simply, Al Hilal has not been able to replicate the dominance of 2023-24. Just like Pep Guardiola, Al Hilal and Jesus have to find a way to turn things around. Despite clearly being a confidence-sapping result for Jesus' reigning Saudi Pro League champion against Al Ittihad, Al Hilal's veteran boss will be urging his players to remain calm. Significant gaps have been reined in historically in this division, with Al Ittihad chasing down Al Nassr to lift the 2022-23 title – a year after itself throwing away a 16-point lead to allow Al Hilal to triumph. Al Ittihad has some tricky fixtures to navigate too, including away trips to third-placed Al Qadsiah and fourth-placed Al Nassr, as well as the season's second Jeddah Derby against Al Ahli in April. Al Hilal has certainly not completely imploded and there remain plenty of positives to hold on to. It continues to impress in the AFC Champions League Elite – just this week finishing top of the 12-team group stage and booking a last-16 clash with Pakhtakor next month. There is no denying that playing many additional games to Pro League title rival Ittihad, which is not in Asian competition, will be a disadvantage. But the balance of ACL Elite and Saudi Pro League commitments is something Al Hilal has been very used to over the years and Jesus seems to have a deep enough squad to cope; now he just needs his players to step up again in the big games.
