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Saudi Gazette
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ittihad lift Saudi Pro League title in dazzling celebration at packed Jewel Stadium
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — In a historic night of celebration, Al Ittihad concluded their title-winning campaign in the Saudi Pro League with a 1-0 victory over Damac on Monday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The final matchday was more than a football fixture — it was a spectacle of unity, passion, and triumph. With four massive tifos unfurled across the stands, including the main banner reading "When we talk, we do," the crowd of over 60,000 created an electric atmosphere befitting champions. Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn netted the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, sealing Ittihad's 27th win of the season and lifting them to 83 points, ten clear at the top. Damac, meanwhile, ended the campaign 14th with 35 points. Following the final whistle, Saudi Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal presented the championship trophy to captain Karim Benzema, who led his teammates to the podium amid fireworks and deafening cheers. Earlier, club legend Ahmed Jamil carried the trophy onto the pitch to a roaring reception. Fans had queued outside the stadium hours before kickoff, eager to witness the moment their club officially reclaimed the league crown for the 14th time in its history — and for the third time in the Saudi Pro League era. Adding to the festivity, renowned singer Ahmed Saad performed a live concert on the pitch after the trophy presentation, capping off an unforgettable night. In a unique gesture of appreciation, Al Ittihad allowed a number of supporters to take photos with the trophy in the stands — a rare and emotional moment for a fanbase that stood by the club through highs and lows. Club president Loay Mashabi, who received a thunderous ovation, told SSC channel he was overwhelmed by the occasion: 'I don't know if I will ever experience a joy greater than this. Making millions of fans happy is a responsibility I carry with pride.' When asked about his future, Mashabi deferred: 'Right now, our focus is on the King's Cup final. After that, we'll see what comes next.'
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Al-Ittihad seal 10th Saudi Pro League title
Al-Ittihad players celebrate their Saudi Pro League title with fans following their win over Al-Raed at King Abdullah Sports City. (Al-Ittihad pic) RIYADH : Al-Ittihad, captained by Karim Benzema, clinched the Saudi Pro League title with two matches to spare as they came from a goal down to beat Al-Raed 3-1 on Thursday. The win moved Al-Ittihad to 77 points from 32 matches, nine points ahead of second-placed Al-Hilal. A victory was all Al-Ittihad, coached by Laurent Blanc, needed to earn their 10th league title, and the first since 2023, but the already-relegated Al-Raed drew first blood as Omar Gonzalez gave the bottom team the lead from close range after nine minutes. Al-Ittihad, however, fought back with Steven Bergwijn equalising 12 minutes later. A Danilo Pereira header gave them the lead shortly before halftime. Two minutes into the second half, Abdulrahman Al-Oboud put the game out of Al-Raed's reach. The Jeddah-based club still have a chance to win another trophy this season as they take on Al-Qadsiah in the King's Cup final on May 30. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
SPL champions-elect Al-Ittihad beat Al-Shabab 3-2 in last away game of the season
RIYADH: In their first match since clinching the Saudi Pro League title last week, Al-Ittihad celebrated with a 3-2 win at Al-Shabab on Tuesday, their final away game of the season. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport French winger Moussa Diaby took center stage, scoring two memorable goals that put the champions-elect in control, the first of which came in the opening minute. The former Aston Villa player, who arrived in Jeddah last summer, picked up possession on the right wing, cut inside the area and then, from a tight angle, fired an unstoppable shot into the opposite top corner. His second, just after the half-hour mark, was delightful in its simplicity. Steven Bergwijn, still inside his own half, lifted the ball over the Riyadh defense to Diaby, who in turn lifted it over the goalkeeper, who was stranded outside his area. Al-Shabab hit back in added time before the break through Yannick Carrasco, who controlled a Musab Al-Juwayr cross at the far post and fired home from close range. Just before the hour mark, however, Bergwijn restored Al-Ittihad's two-goal cushion. As the visitors streamed forward on the counter, N'Golo Kante fed the Dutchman on the left side, who produced another fine finish with a first-time shot. That was not quite the end of the matter, though. Midway through the second half, Cristian Guanca made it 3-2, the Argentine heading home from close range after Daniel Podence hung a cross invitingly in the air. Al-Shabab could not get another, however, and so Al-Ittihad recorded a sixth-successive win, which moved them nine points clear of second-place Al-Hilal, who travel to Al-Wehda on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Al-Qadsiah strengthened their grip on third place, and a spot in the AFC Champions League Two, with a 3-1 home victory over relegation battlers Al-Orubah. Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang contributed two late strikes that put him on 17 goals for the season. Julian Quinones delivered the opener, the Mexican marksman's 20th league goal of the campaign. Al-Qadsiah are now four points clear of fourth-place Al-Nassr, who will have a chance to close the gap when they play host to Al-Khaleej on Wednesday, after which there will be just one round of games left to play.
Saudi Gazette
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ittihad crowned Saudi Pro League champions for 14th time
Saudi Gazette report ALQASSIM — Al Ittihad sealed their 14th Saudi Pro League title with a commanding 3-1 victory over relegated Al Raed on Thursday, clinching the 2024–2025 crown with two matches to spare. Trailing early to a ninth-minute opener from Al Raed's Omar Gonzalez, Al Ittihad responded in style through goals from Steven Bergwijn, Danilo Pereira, and Abdulrahman Al Aboud to complete the comeback at a packed stadium attended by over 18,000 fans. The win took Al Ittihad to 77 points after 32 rounds, putting them nine clear of second-placed Al Hilal, who have a game in hand. Despite being level on points in head-to-head results, Al Ittihad edged Al Hilal in the direct encounter goal difference, having lost 3-1 in the first round but winning the reverse fixture 4-1. Nicknamed Al-Ameed (The Brigadier), Al Ittihad reclaimed the league title from defending champions Al Hilal and will now aim to complete a domestic double when they face Al Qadsiah in the King's Cup final on May 30 in Jeddah. This marks Al Ittihad's third league championship in the Saudi Pro League era and their 14th overall — underlining the club's legacy as one of the Kingdom's most decorated sides.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad LIVE streaming info, Saudi Pro League 2024-25: Where to watch Ronaldo match; Preview; Predicted lineups
PREVIEW Fresh from being knocked out of the AFC Champions League Elite semifinals, Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al-Nassr will hope to remain in the Saudi Pro League title race when it hosts table-topper Al-Ittihad. Nassr sits in third with 60 points with Ittihad perched at the summit with 68 points. Sandwiched between them is Al-Hilal with 62 points. All three sides have played 29 matches. While the first and third-placed teams meet, Hilal faces last-placed Al-Raed. In the reverse fixture between Nassr and Ittihad back in March, the latter emerged as the winner after Steven Bergwijn netted a last-gasp goal to secure all three points for his side. LIVESTREAM AND TELECAST INFO When will the Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad Saudi Pro League 2024-25 match kick off? The Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad Saudi Pro League 2024-25 match will kick off at 11:30 PM IST on Wednesday, May 7 at the Al Awwal Park. Where to watch the Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad Saudi Pro League 2024-25 match? The Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad Saudi Pro League 2024-25 match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network. The match will also be live-streamed on the SonyLiv app and website. PREDICTED LINEUPS Al-Nassr: Bento (gk), Ghanam, Simakan, Laporte, Boushal, Otavio, Al Hassan, Brozovic, Mane, Duran, Ronaldo Al-Ittihad: Mahasnah (gk), Yami, Al-Mousa, Pereira, Kadesh, Kante, Fabinho, Diaby, Aouar, Hernandez, Benzema
