Al-Nassr keeper Ospina could return to first team by end of February

Al-Nassr keeper Ospina could return to first team by end of February
Ospina could be back in time to face Al-Shabab on the 25th. (Al-Nassr/File)
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Updated 10 February 2024
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Al-Nassr keeper Ospina could return to first team by end of February

Al-Nassr keeper Ospina could return to first team by end of February

RIYADH: Al-Nassr goalkeeper David Ospina is expected to make a return to first-team action in the second half of this month, according to Arriyadiyah.

The Colombian will probably be fit to play against local rivals Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League on Feb. 25, unnamed sources told the Saudi sports outlet.

The player has been sidelined after he limped off with a hamstring injury in the 36th minute in Al-Nassr’s 6-0 trashing of Inter Miami in the Riyadh Season Cup on Feb. 1.

Ospina, who has made 14 appearances for Al-Nassr after he joined them in the summer of 2022, has been undergoing daily treatment sessions at the club’s headquarters, each lasting about two hours, according to those sources.

Al-Hilal defeated Al-Nassr 2-0 in the final of the Riyadh Season Cup on Thursday night.

Al-Nassr are second in the SPL and are seven points adrift of the top of the table, occupied currently by Riyadh rivals Hilal. Both teams are in Asian champions league action next week before returning to domestic business on Feb. 17-18.


Lack of improvement meant Gerrard’s departure from Ettifaq was a matter of time

Lack of improvement meant Gerrard’s departure from Ettifaq was a matter of time
Updated 30 January 2025
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Lack of improvement meant Gerrard’s departure from Ettifaq was a matter of time

Lack of improvement meant Gerrard’s departure from Ettifaq was a matter of time
  • Team finished sixth in the former Liverpool’ player’s first season as coach, but there has been a clear lack of progress this term

LONDON: When reports emerged that Steven Gerrard was leaving Ettifaq, it wasn’t much of a surprise.

The Liverpool legend, appointed in July 2023, lasted 18 months, and while there were a few highs, the returns given the money invested were, on the whole, quite low.

The same can be said of the club’s current 12th place, just five points clear of the relegation zone and a full 16 behind Al-Nassr in fourth.

The 2-2 draw at Al-Wehda on Saturday left Gerrard clearly disappointed with his players, and on Thursday night social media reports suggest that he was quitting for “personal reasons.” In hindsight, it was only a matter of time.

Getting into the top four was always going to be a tall order, but to at least challenge was the target. It’s clear that Ettifaq don’t have the financial power of the Big Four — Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli — who have attracted the megastars, but with the talent available they should have the ability, however, to be fighting it out with Al-Shabab and Al-Taawoun in the next level below. At the very least, the two-time champions should not be four and five places, respectively, behind Al-Riyadh and Al-Khaleej. 

Last season there were some hiccups but Gerrard was handed a contract extension midway through and steered the team into sixth, an improvement on the previous campaign. There were more new faces incoming and this season started well with three straight wins and a lot of enthusiasm. But just two more victories came in the next 14 games. 

There is little doubt where the problem did lie — scoring goals. In the first 12 games of the season, they managed just nine and were too easy to defend against. Opposing defenders knew that if they could stop Moussa Dembele then there wasn’t much of an attacking threat from elsewhere. Former Liverpool midfielder, Gini Wijnaldum, has chipped in occasionally but Cameroonian forward Karl Toko-Ekambi, who scored six in 15 starts last season, has yet to find the target in eight appearances this time. Going forward, Ettifaq have too often been predictable and one-dimensional.

Yet there were recent improvements, with Ettifaq scoring 10 in the last five. In an attacking sense at least, there was more fluidity and rhythm. Was this another blip or a turning of a corner? We will never know. 

There is plenty of talent throughout the squad. Gerrard brought in midfielders such as Wijnaldum, Seko Fofana (since departed) and Alvaro Medran. He also has Saudi Arabian internationals such as defensive midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki and forward Abdullah Radif, and defenders such as Madallah Al-Olayan and Abdullah Madu. 

Gerrard has not quite managed to deliver and his tactics have come in for criticism, not helped by a King’s Cup defeat against Al-Jabalain in October, a team then struggling in the second tier. His ability to manage matches was called into question. 

Results are always paramount but he wasn’t helped by comments he made to English media earlier in the season about arranging training so he could watch Liverpool’s games. “Both myself and John (Achterberg, goalkeeping coach) have got one eye on it. We put all our schedule around the Liverpool games. The players are on to me now; we’ve been training at 9 or 10 at night!”

Gerrard moved quickly to refute any suggestion that he was not fully focused on the Dammam club.

“I was asked if I still followed Liverpool and I said, ‘Of course I still follow Liverpool,’ they played a huge part of my life and shaped me as a player, person and coach I am today. I want to make it abundantly clear my priority is Ettifaq, I have a contract with Ettifaq and I am in a real privileged position.”

The comments may not have been serious but they didn’t go down well. Gerrard should have known this, as fans of his previous club Aston Villa sometimes wondered if he was there just to warm up for a future move back to Liverpool.

His performances in Saudi Arabia won’t make that any more likely but that is no longer Ettifaq’s concern. At least there is the example of Villa, who, after Gerrard, brought in Unai Emery and have not looked back.


Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos

Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos
Updated 28 January 2025
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Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos

Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos
  • ‘To everyone at Al-Hilal, to the fans, thank you,’ Neymar writes on X
  • ‘To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life’

BEIRUT: Brazilian forward Neymar took the opportunity on Tuesday to thank Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, and their fans after concluding his 17-month stint at the Saudi Pro League side.
“To everyone at Al-Hilal, to the fans, thank you,” said Neymar in a social media post on X, after returning to his Brazilian club Santos after originally leaving them in 2013 to join Barcelona.
He wrote: “I gave everything to play and I wish we (had) enjoyed better times on the pitch together.
“To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034.


“Your future will be incredible, special things are happening and I will always support you!”
Marcelo Teixeira, Santos’ president, said on social media channels: “It is the time (to come back), Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts.
“Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila (Belmiro, Santos’ stadium). Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
The 32-year-old, who has scored 79 international goals for his home country, moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for a world-record fee of €222 million in August 2017.
Al-Hilal announced Neymar’s departure on Tuesday on X, saying: “The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career.”
Neymar arrived at the Saudi club in August 2023 after signing from PSG, but only played seven games due to injuries.
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote on X: “Teixeira confirms Neymar Jr’s return to the club. Six-month contract to be formally signed this week, as reported.”


Neymar parts ways with Al-Hilal

Neymar parts ways with Al-Hilal
Updated 28 January 2025
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Neymar parts ways with Al-Hilal

Neymar parts ways with Al-Hilal
  • The star arrived in Riyadh in August 2023 after signing from PSG, but has only played 7 games due to injuries
  • Recent reports have linked Neymar with Santos, the Brazilian club where his professional career took off

RIYADH: Brazilian forward Neymar has parted ways with Al-Hilal after an injury-plagued stint with the Riyadh club, the team said early Tuesday, and is set to return to Santos, where he played as a teenager.
“The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career,” Hilal said in an announcement on X.
The star arrived in Riyadh in August 2023 after signing from PSG, but has only played 7 games due to injuries.
A short while after joining the Blues, he underwent surgery in his native Brazil in November 2023 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus damage suffered during a national team match the month before.
Neymar also suffered a hamstring injury late last year and missed another five weeks.
Recent reports have linked Neymar with Santos, the Brazilian club where his professional career took off.
Fabrizio Romano, an Italian sports journalist, wrote on X “Neymar’s return to Santos now imminent as verbal agreement has been reached,” he added that formal steps are due to happen next week.


Monday match against Al-Hilal is ‘difficult,’ says Al-Qadsiah’s coach Gonzalez

Monday match against Al-Hilal is ‘difficult,’ says Al-Qadsiah’s coach Gonzalez
Updated 25 January 2025
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Monday match against Al-Hilal is ‘difficult,’ says Al-Qadsiah’s coach Gonzalez

Monday match against Al-Hilal is ‘difficult,’ says Al-Qadsiah’s coach Gonzalez
  • ‘We’ve played 19 matches in the league and the cup without fear, and we will continue in the same way,’ the Spaniard told a news conference
  • ‘Al-Hilal are an offensive team with a high-scoring record’

AL KHUBAR: Al-Qadsiah and Al-Hilal will face off on Monday in the 17th round of the Saudi Roshn League in what Al-Qadsiah’s Spanish coach Michel Gonzalez described as a “difficult” match on Saturday.
Addressing a news conference ahead of the match that takes place at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, Gonzalez said: “I’m old enough that there’s nothing I fear anymore. I’ve lived my whole life without fear, but I respect everyone.
“My lack of fear doesn’t mean I don’t respect the opponent. We are here to compete with the other teams. However, the only thing I fear is when my wife looks at me.”
From the Spaniard’s perspective, in sports, “fear has no impact.”

“We’ve played 19 matches in the league and the cup without fear, and we will continue in the same way. That’s our goal. However, we greatly respect the opponent, and we approach the match with significance but without any fear,” he told the conference.
The Spanish coach stressed that they will play a match against the champion, “Al-Hilal, a team known and distinguished by its players and coach.”
“Our opponent possesses both individual and collective abilities that enable them to play at the highest levels in any league in the world,” Gonzalez said.
Currently, Al-Qadsiah are in their best form, and they will deliver a great performance in Monday’s match that allows them to secure the three points, the coach said.
He emphasized that Al-Qadsiah play as a team and respects all opponents, emphasizing: “Al-Hilal are an offensive team with a high-scoring record. However, we have excellent defensive players. Statistically, we are also distinguished defensively, while Al-Hilal excel offensively.
“We are aware that our opponent will miss their Serbian striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scores even with half-chances. Personally, I wished all players on both teams were fully ready and without absences.”
The Brazilian substitute, Marcos Leonardo, according to Gonzalez, is a remarkable striker with great abilities, and his scoring record speaks for itself.


‘Pioneering change’ — new report highlights rise of women’s football in Saudi Arabia

 ‘Pioneering change’ — new report highlights rise of women’s football in Saudi Arabia
Updated 24 January 2025
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‘Pioneering change’ — new report highlights rise of women’s football in Saudi Arabia

 ‘Pioneering change’ — new report highlights rise of women’s football in Saudi Arabia
  • The analysis by NEOM Sport highlights the achievements and milestones of women’s football in the Kingdom to date and looks at its future

NEOM: A new report has been published that shines a light on the current landscape of women’s football in Saudi Arabia, looking at how it has grown so far and examining future opportunities.

The report by NEOM Sport, in partnership with the Asian Football Confederation, reveals how football has grown rapidly among women in the Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia. NEOM is a Presenting Partner of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League.

Women’s football in Saudi Arabia has become a catalyst for their increased participation in sport on a wider scale, helping to redefine sports culture and societal norms for the future as well as promoting gender equality and healthier lifestyles in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030.

Young Saudi prospects from the Riyadh Girld Regional Training Center. (SAFF)

Aalia Abdulaziz Al-Rasheed, head of women’s football at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said: “It has been a truly remarkable journey for Saudi women’s football over the last six years since the establishment of a dedicated women’s football department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

“Driven by Saudi Vision 2030, we are hugely proud of the transformation across all areas of the game, including the establishment of four national teams, five competitions, 77,000 girls playing in our annual Schools League, six girls’ regional training centers and numerous coaching/refereeing development programs. It is truly something that needs to be seen to be believed.”

Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, said: “This report, created in collaboration with our contributors, is our way of truly understanding the landscape — where we are, what obstacles lie ahead and how the future could look.

The Saudi Women's National Team during their participation in the WAFF Women's Championship last year. (SAFF)

“But it’s about more than just football. It’s about providing more opportunities for women and demonstrating the far-reaching impact that sport can have on individuals and communities. Alongside the AFC, we aim to play our part in unlocking the full potential of women’s sport by telling the story of how key stakeholders are redefining football and empowering women across the Kingdom.”

With contributions from multiple stakeholders from the women’s game — including SAFF, the Saudi Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Sports for All Federation, the AFC and more — the report examines the strides taken that led to a significant increase in participation in women’s football between 2022-23.

The Saudi Women's National Team during their participation in the WAFF Women's Championship last year. (SAFF)

Milestones over the past six years include the launch of the Saudi Women’s Premier League and women’s national team, the appointment of female leaders and achieving an official FIFA world ranking. Other contributing components include developmental pathways at grassroots level, the importance of leadership and coaching, investment in infrastructure and accessibility, and commercialization of the sport. These insights are among many highlighting how women’s football drives tangible strategic efforts that are propelling the sport and communities forward.

“Our mission is simple: We want to inspire and offer new opportunities for girls throughout the country to realize their dreams and showcase their talent and love for the beautiful game,” Al-Rasheed said.

The Saudi Women's National Team during a match against Malaysia in 2023. (SAFF)

“Our journey has inspired millions along the way, not just in Saudi Arabia but across different parts of the world. We are not doing this alone. We are open to the world and are already in 62 active partnerships with federations to co-develop the women’s game and realize its full potential. Today, 60 international players from 20 nationalities play in our leagues and have joined us on this journey.

“We are living in hugely exciting times and there is so much more to come from Saudi women’s football in the years to come.”