Latest news with #SaudiWomen'sPremierLeague
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Al-Nassr crowned champions of Saudi Women's Premier League with big win over Al-Taraji
RIYADH: Al-Nassr celebrated winning the 2024-25 Saudi Women's Premier League title on Wednesday night after a thumping 6-0 win over Al-Taraji in their final match of the season in Riyadh. Al-Nassr had secured the title several weeks ago and finished the season with a total of 51 points from 17 wins and only one loss. Al-Nassr got off to a perfect start when Maria Eduardo (Duda) scored in the first minute, one of three goals she bagged in the game. Her second came one minute before the break, and she completed her hattrick after 64 minutes. It was not the only treble of the night as Carla Luvanga repeated the feat for Al-Nassr, bringing her total for the season to 21 and making her the league's top scorer. The Tanzanian star opened her account after six minutes and followed up with strikes in the 17th and 36th minutes, as Al-Nassr ended the first half with a five-goal lead. There were several other notable moments, with one yellow card issued for Al-Nassr and two for Al-Taraji, and eight and 15 fouls respectively. Following the win, Al-Nassr's goalkeeper Sarah Khalid told Arab News: 'We prepared very well for this game, but we also wanted to enjoy every moment of it. 'It's the last game of the season, we're champions.' Khalid added: 'It was a good game for us ... we gave it our all, we wanted to score more obviously but at the same time, the coach decided to play as many players as possible and this is also amazing.' The key to the championship was taking one game at a time. 'Working hard towards a specific objective and lifting each other up through hardships and adversity is what makes this team very special.' Speaking to Arab News, Al-Nassr's head coach, Abdulaziz Al-Alwni, said: 'What happened today was not easy … all the challenges we overcame were difficult, but we lucked out with this team.' Al-Alwni added: 'This year we achieved high stats and difficult numbers, and the group as a whole is the main reason why we reached as far as we did.' 'Off the field, away from the game, it's a clean environment, an attractive environment, an environment of one heart and one family, that is the main reason why the team performs well on the field.' The coach has already begun planning for next season. 'Next season is a hard one, we have Asia (AFC Women's Asian Cup), West Asia (WAFF Women's Championship), the league, the cup (Saudi Women's Cup), and the Super Cup (Saudi Women's Super Cup),' Al-Alwni said. 'There's some pressure, the Saudi players are not used to these types of championships, but we have started working and next season will hopefully be a substantial one.' Reem Al-Beloshi, a goalkeeper for Al-Nassr, spoke proudly of the result. 'Today's game was of course amazing,' she said. 'We celebrated our third league win in a row … we feel great, we're happy.' Al-Beloshi said the attitude going into every game was to 'push through' until the last minute. 'When that determination is combined with respect for the game and respect for the opposing team, that is when you will see your ambitions realized,' she said.
Campaign ME
16-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Why brands need to invest in women's football in Saudi Arabia
According to the latest report from global football media company Footballco, 56 per cent of female fans stated that they would view a brand more positively if it sponsored women's football in Saudi Arabia. Andy Jackson, SVP Middle East at Footballco, said, 'What's clear is that Saudi women's football isn't an opportunity for brands in the future; it's now. As we've seen in more established markets, the brands that see the greatest benefits are those that are involved early on and get recognised for their contribution to supporting the game.' Women's football in Saudi Arabia should not be approached like men's football Footballco's research, based on data collected from more than 8,000 women's sports fans across the world, including more than 1,000 in Saudi Arabia, reveals a powerful appetite for women's football in the Kingdom. 61 per cent of women's sports fans in Saudi Arabia follow football, which is significantly higher than the global average of 47 per cent. The report also reveals that, despite being in its early stages of development (the Saudi Women's Premier League only launched in 2022) women's football in Saudi Arabia is attracting remarkable interest and support – surpassing the growth pace of more established women's football markets. This presents a valuable opportunity for brands to engage with a rapidly growing audience. However, simply repurposing traditional strategies used in men's football won't be enough. The research goes on to show that brands can't rely on copying what they do for the men's game. 66 per cent of fans say that the women's game should be celebrated as different, and this sentiment should be reflected in brand partnerships and media coverage. The key question is: how can brands authentically connect with this audience, enhance their experience and enjoyment of the game, and support Saudi Arabia's professional female footballers? Understanding the fandom While narratives around the struggle and challenges faced by female athletes are important, they shouldn't dominate the story. Fans want content that inspires and entertains, as explained by Yasmin El Bizri, MENA Strategy Director for Footballco. She highlights the importance of framing content with creativity and joy. She says, 'Too often women's football content and creativity can be too focused on the struggle. While that's important, it's not everything, and the output still needs to entertain and engage – this is especially true in Saudi, where 54 per cent of fans see women's football as fun and entertaining.' Framing content with joy and creativity is key to driving deeper engagement and reaching the right audience. As the profile of women's football fans continues to grow and evolve, it remains a fresh and dynamic space, making it essential for brands to truly understand the fandom before launching any branded content. With 27 per cent having followed women's football for 3-5 years, 40 per cent being fans for up to two years, and one third stating that they've watched more in the past 12 months. This growth is also linked to wider cultural shifts. Since women were first allowed into stadiums in 2018, the sport has attracted many who previously felt excluded. In fact, 72 per cent of fans say women's football is bringing new audiences into the fold, and 68 per cent believe it can help address broader social issues. Players as cultural icons Footballco's data shows that Saudi fans view female footballers as powerful role models, even more so than fans in other regions. From the sampled group of fans in the report, in Saudi Arabia, footballers are seen as the second most inspirational group of women, just behind entrepreneurs – globally, they rank fourth. This presents a unique branding opportunity not only to support women's football as a sport but also to align with the female players who represent a whole new level of influence. This point is emphasised by 56 per cent of female fans saying they would think more positively about a brand that sponsors the women's game. The bigger picture Jackson concludes, 'We've seen globally how an increasing interest in women's football follows an increasing interest in female empowerment, and we can see this being replicated in Saudi Arabia; however, what we're seeing in Saudi Arabia is also a surge in interest in football more broadly, creating a perfect storm that's driving growth in both men's and women's football.' For brands, the message is clear: women's football in Saudi Arabia isn't a niche – it's a movement. And now is the time to be part of it.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
New report shows why brands need to invest in women's football in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: New research from football media company Footballco has revealed a growing interest in opportunities for women's football in Saudi Arabia. The report, released recently, also provides a profile of fandom in the region and how supporters want to consume both editorial and branded content. Footballco's study shows that among fans of women's sport in Saudi Arabia, 61 percent follow football, compared to 47 percent globally. This strong interest is relatively new, with 27 percent having followed women's football for three to five years, 40 percent for up to two years, and one third stating that they have watched more games in the past 12 months. The growth also highlights how, despite female fans being allowed into stadiums since 2018, some still felt excluded by the sport. Seventy-two percent said that women's football attracts fans who previously felt excluded from the sport, while 68 percent agree that inclusion can help tackle issues in broader society. While females have played football in Saudi Arabia for decades, the Saudi Women's Premier League only launched in 2022, making the surge in interest even more remarkable. This is mirrored by the relatively high proportion of fans considering themselves Super Fans (21 percent). Only the US has a bigger proportion of Super Fans, and it is larger than in both Brazil and leading European markets. Andy Jackson, Footballco's senior vice president for the Middle East, said that globally an 'increasing interest in women's football follows an increasing interest in female empowerment.' This was being replicated in Saudi Arabia with also a surge in interest in football more broadly, 'creating a perfect storm that's driving growth in both men's and women's football.' The research shows that fans in the Kingdom see female players as great role models, more so than in other markets. Saudi Arabia fans believe female footballers are the second-most inspirational group of women, beaten only by entrepreneurs. Globally, female footballers appear fourth behind entrepreneurs, actors and singers. This should encourage brands to align themselves not only with women's football as a sport but also with the women on the pitch. This point is emphasized by 56 percent of female fans saying they would think more positively about a brand that sponsors the women's game. For brands already involved in women's football or those curious about opportunities, these numbers highlight that while socially conscious activations can be popular, they also need to align with broader lifestyle and cultural themes. Sixty-one percent of women's football fans say that they like it when content is a mixture of lifestyle and culture, rather than focusing on only the game. By far, the most popular medium for this content is video, with 89 percent of fans naming it as their preferred format, which includes long- and short-form, live streams and documentaries. Yasmin El-Bizri, Middle East and North Africa strategy director for Footballco, said: 'Too often women's football content and creative can be too focused on the struggle. 'While that's important, it's not everything and the output still needs to entertain and engage — this especially true in Saudi, where 54 percent of fans see women's football as fun and entertaining.' The research goes on to show that brands cannot rely on copying what they do for the men's game. Sixty-six percent of fans say that the women's game should be celebrated as different and that should be reflected by the media and the brands. The research suggests brands should look at ways to increase participation for women and girls in all areas of football. Of those surveyed, 49 percent thought growth would be best achieved through more opportunities to play, while 30 percent wanted to see women in more off-pitch roles, in both men's and women's football. 'What's clear is that Saudi women's football isn't an opportunity for brands in the future, it's now,' Jackson added. 'As we've seen in more established markets, the brands that see the greatest benefits are those that are involved early on and get recognized for their contribution to supporting the game.' Footballco's research is based on data collected from more than 8,000 women's sports fans across the world, including more than 1,000 from Saudi Arabia. Footballco is home to a global football media brand, GOAL, and the biggest Arabic-language sports website, Kooora. Footballco also operates two dedicated Arabic women's football brands, INDIVISA, which covers the game and culture from the grassroots, and the Gen-Z YouTube show Yalla Girl.
Al Arabiya
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Exclusive Al Ahli coach Manar Fraij on second Saudi Women's Cup triumph
Last Wednesday, Manar Fraij led the celebrations as her Al Ahli team retained the Saudi Women's Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al Qadsiah. It is the second straight year that Al Ahli has won the tournament, which was launched for the 2023-24 season to give the Kingdom a knockout competition to complement the rebranded Saudi Women's Premier League. The 2024 final was slightly more straightforward for Al Ahli, which was 3-0 up before eventually winning 3-2 against Al Shabab. This time, the Jeddah outfit was really made to work for the trophy as Al Qadsiah took a first-half lead through Rahaf Adel al-Mansouri. It was a particularly sweet goal for the Saudi midfielder, a member of Al Ahli's starting XI in the Saudi Women's Cup final last year before she moved to Al Qadsiah in the summer. Fraij's players kept their cool, however, with Al Ahli showing a steely determination to fight back after going a goal down. Strikes from Congolese Naomie Kabakaba and Al Ahli's Moroccan magician Ibtissam Jraïdi completed a superb come-from-behind win. 'We worked hard on the psychological aspect and prepared the players to fight until the end whether we conceded a goal first or scored first,' Fraij explained to Al Arabiya English in an exclusive interview. 'We were the defending champions and this team's fighting spirit was clear to everyone. 'It's a great feeling to win the cup for the second time in a row as it is a reward for the hard work of all the players.' Fraij, a former Jordanian international midfielder, joined Al Ahli as coach in 2022, and says that being given time to develop her relationship with her players has been key to the team's success. 'Being with the players for two seasons has helped them understand my style of play and my way of working,' Fraij explains. 'Also, keeping [many of] the same players from last season helped them develop harmony among themselves.' Central to that harmony has been Al Ahli captain Jraïdi, who is also the skipper of the Morocco national team. Jraïdi scored twice in the 2024 final and netted her team's winning goal in the 2025 showpiece. In both editions of the Saudi Women's Cup, the 32-year-old has finished as the competition's top scorer with nine goals. She also won the 2023-24 Saudi Women's Premier League Golden Boot, while only Al Qadsiah's Ajara Nchout has bagged more than her 22 goals in the league this season. 'Ibtissam is a wonderful player and a goal scorer who knows how to score with ease,' Fraij beams when asked about her captain. 'I also have a strong relationship of trust with Ibtisam, as she is a leader on and off the field. When Ibtissam promises me victory, I am confident that we will win.' The Saudi Women's Cup final saw more fans in attendance than last year after a social media campaign, #SeeOurGlory, was launched by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) ahead of the match. Women's football is undergoing a period of sustained growth in the Kingdom, with the game's popularity on a clear upward trajectory. 'The development from year to year is wonderful,' Fraij says. 'The increase in the number of professional women on the field and the establishment of standards for attracting professional players has given a noticeable development to women's football in Saudi Arabia.' That Al Qadsiah reached the Saudi Women's Cup final was proof of this evolution. Al Nassr has been the dominant force in women's football in the Kingdom in recent years but in the semi-final, it was eliminated by Al Qadsiah after a penalty shootout. Fraij, however, says she was 'not surprised' to see Al Qadsiah beat the three-time Saudi Women's Premier League champion, insisting that 'in football, no team wins all the time.' The Jordanian coach will be hoping that same sentiment rings true this time next year. For the past two seasons, Al Ahli has finished as runner-up to Al Nassr in the league, with the team from Riyadh winning by 10 points in 2023-24. It has already been crowned champion in 2024-25, with two games of the campaign still to play. It could have been so different. After six matches of the 2024-25 season, Al Ahli was top of the table – but it suffered a decisive home defeat to Al Nassr in December, before succumbing to another loss to its rival in March. Despite missing out again to Al Nassr, Fraij's Al Ahli side consistently impressed and she claimed two Manager of the Month awards in November and January. Al Ahli was also the Saudi Women's Premier League's highest scoring team with 67 goals to Nassr's 62. Fraij believes her players can bridge the gap and expects Al Ahli to be pushing for the club's maiden league title in 2025-26. 'This is football,' Fraij said. 'We started the league as leaders, then our loss to Al Nassr changed everything. 'But we had a great season last season and this season. We eliminated Al Nassr in the Cup last year and this season, our achievement is being Cup champion and league runner-up again. 'Al Nassr and Al Ahli are the best in Saudi football and I am sure we will both be challenging again next year too.'
Arab News
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
'Incredible feeling': Saudi Women's Premier League glory vindicates Boussaha's Al-Nassr move
AUSTRALIA: While Al-Nassr's men's team have found success hard to come by in recent seasons, their women's team have had no such issues, last week clinching their third straight Saudi Women's Premier League title. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport With the league itself, the first professional league of its type in the Kingdom, only three years old, it means Al-Nassr remain the only side to win the competition since its formation back in 2022. 'It's an incredible feeling,' star midfielder Lina Boussaha told Arab News after a 3-1 win over their nearest title rivals, Al-Ahli, secured their third straight title. 'Winning one title is special, but winning three in a row is a testament to the consistency and belief within the team. This season was challenging in its own way, but we stayed focused, and lifting the trophy again is a moment of immense pride for all of us.' They haven't just won the league either, they've dominated it. In the almost three full seasons since the league began, Al-Nassr have played 44 games. Remarkably, they've won 39 of them and lost just two. And this season they are on track for the perfect 'golden' season. Sixteen games into the season they are not only yet to taste defeat, they are yet to drop a single point — 16 games played, 16 games won. With the league title already in their pocket and just two games remaining — including one against Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal — the perfect season is within touching distance. 'The motivation is high, we always want to push our limits and set new standards,' Boussaha openly admitted. 'Winning every game is not easy, but we've come this far, and we want to finish strong. It's not just about results, but about maintaining our identity and showing what this team is capable of. Writing the history. 'Getting a golden league doesn't happen often, we want that.' Given their success to date, and not just this season, but across the entirety of the league's existence, it'd be folly to back against them. What sets Al-Nassr apart, according to Boussaha, is their never-say-die attitude. 'Each season has its own story, but this one was unique because of the challenges we faced,' the Algerian international explained. 'In the first five or six games, we had to come from behind multiple times, including an incredible remontada.' That came in Round 5 in a Riyadh Derby against Al Shabab, who had shot to a 3-0 lead by the hour mark, and had Al-Nassr staring defeat straight in the eyes. But a remarkable turnaround, spearheaded by Boussaha, who scored two goals in as many minutes to reduce the deficit, saw Al-Nassr score four goals in the final 25 minutes of the game to run out 4-3 victors. There were other moments, too. They trailed Al-Amal 1-0 before goals in the 88th and 91st minutes secured a 2-1 win in Round 3. Against Al-Qadsiah a week earlier, they also came from a goal down, albeit in less dramatic fashion, to win 2-1. While in Round 6, just a week after their win over Al-Shabab, Boussaha inspired another comeback, this time against Al-Ittihad as they came from a goal down to win 3-1. 'Those moments built our strength as a team, reinforced our confidence, and showed everyone our resilience,' the 26-year-old said. 'It proved that beating us isn't easy, even when we're under pressure or dominated. Overcoming those situations helped us for the rest of the season and gave us the mentality to push through the second half even stronger.' She continued: 'After three seasons working together, we've become like a family, sisters, and we fight for each other on and off the pitch. Collectively, we know our potential, and we don't want to miss out on any opportunity or game. 'As champions, we have high goals and standards, which means we always have to show up and give double or even triple the effort. 'Personally, when we're losing, I know that giving up is not an option. I have to finish the game exhausted, knowing I gave everything like it was my last match, whether we're losing, drawing, or winning. That mindset drives me and the team to push beyond our limits.' Boussaha, a French-born Algerian international, has been one of the headline names in the league since its inception. That she is in the league at all is only down to circumstance after France banned players from wearing the hijab in sporting competitions. Not willing to forego her identity, Boussaha, a graduate of the PSG academy and a former PSG player, begrudgingly walked away from the professional game in France. An opportunity to play in a new league in Saudi Arabia, where she could remain true to her identity, was an offer she couldn't walk away from. 'Honestly, I didn't have any expectations before coming here,' she said. 'I had very little information about the league, the level, or the players. I tried to gather details, but since the league had just been created, it wasn't easy. 'My decision to come was first and foremost because of my hijab, I missed playing football, and I knew that in France, it wouldn't be possible anymore while wearing it.' Three years on she has zero regrets, having seen the fledgling league boom in that time. 'Since I first arrived, there's been a huge gap between then and now,' she explained. 'The league wasn't well-known, we didn't have superstar players, and the games weren't even broadcast. There was very little information available on social media, and it was still in its early stages. 'Then, suddenly, everything boomed. The league became more competitive and attractive, with top players and big names joining. The social media presence and marketing are now even better than in some famous leagues. The Saudi players and national teams have progressed technically and mentally. 'The investment in facilities, field, sponsorships and infrastructures in some clubs, has taken things to another level and honestly, it's really enjoyable to play in this league now.'
