Saudi and Japanese football leagues to work together to develop the sport in both countries

Saudi and Japanese football leagues to work together to develop the sport in both countries
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) and the Japan Professional Football League (J.League) have signed an agreement aiming to establish effective communication channels between the two bodies. (SPL/File)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Saudi and Japanese football leagues to work together to develop the sport in both countries

Saudi and Japanese football leagues to work together to develop the sport in both countries
  • They will collaborate on ways to achieve sustainable growth of the sport, enhance the standard of football, and facilitate exchange of expertise between players and coaches
  • The agreement also includes plans for talent-discovery networks, cultural-exchange events, and friendly matches between Japanese and Saudi clubs

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League and Japan’s Professional Football League have signed an agreement to cooperate on ways to develop the sport in both countries.

To achieve this they will work with teams in both leagues and collaborate on ways to achieve sustainable growth of the sport, enhance the standard of football, facilitate the exchange of experiences and resources between players and coaches, and establish an effective system for communication about technical and administrative matters.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of a Saudi-Japanese business forum by the vice chair of the SPL’s board of directors, Saad Allazeez, and Yoshokaze Ninomura of the J.League.

Allazeez said the agreement reflects the SPL’s transformation strategy and added: “This partnership will open new horizons for exchanging experiences and promoting the continuous development in the field of football between the two countries.

“We look forward to working with our counterparts in Japan to raise the level of the game at all levels.”

The agreement also includes support for the continued growth and development of SPL and J.League through workshops and conferences to consider ideas for strengthening football infrastructure, cooperation in talent-discovery networks to help identify and nurture stars of the future, cultural-exchange events that celebrate the diverse cultures of the two countries and enhance the global appeal of football, and friendly matches between Japanese and Saudi clubs.


Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group
Updated 05 February 2025
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Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group

Al-Dawsari the star as Al-Hilal return to top of AFC Champions League Elite group
  • Malcom opens the scoring after just 10 minutes as his team cruise to a 4-1 victory over Persepolis of Iran
  • Joao Cancelo adds a second before Salem Al-Dawsari steals the show during the remainder of the first half with 2 impressive goals

RIYADH: Al-Hilal strolled to a 4-1 home victory over Iranian side Persepolis on Tuesday to return to the top of their AFC Champions League Elite qualifying group with one game remaining.
The Saudis, who had already secured their place in the round of 16, were four goals to the good before half time. Malcom opened the scoring with just 10 minutes on the clock, the Brazilian winger skipping past two defenders and into the area before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz.
The four-time champions continued to press and were rewarded when Joao Cancelo added a second after 24 minutes. The former Manchester City star picked up possession on the right-hand corner of the box and drilled a low shot into the opposite bottom corner, though Guendouz should perhaps have got a stronger hand to it.


The remainder of the first half was the Salem Al-Dawsari show. With seven minutes remaining, the lively Malcom slipped the ball through a crowded area for Al-Dawsari, the 2022 Asian Player of the Year, to skip past the goalkeeper and slot home from the narrowest of angles.
His second, and his team’s fourth, was the best of the night. A minute into first-half stoppage time, Cancelo sent over a beautiful pass from the touchline that made it all the way to a central position, just outside the area, and there was Al-Dawsari charging up to blast the ball into the top corner with the most fluent of first-time shots.
With the game already won, the second half was a much quieter affair. Two minutes from the end, though, Persepolis were awarded a penalty when Ali Al-Bulaihi, who had just come on as a substitute, brought down Issa Alkasir. Giorgi Gvelesiani stepped up to give his team a consolation goal.
This could not spoil the night for Al-Hilal, however, who have 19 points from a possible 21. The result also meant that the penultimate round of games in the group stage was another perfect one for all three representatives of the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr winning on Monday. Al-Ahli trail Al-Hilal only on goal difference, while Al-Nassr are three points behind on 16 points and guaranteed at least third place in the group.


New arrival Jhon Duran starts for Al-Nassr but it’s Ronaldo who shines in Asia

New arrival Jhon Duran starts for Al-Nassr but it’s Ronaldo who shines in Asia
Updated 04 February 2025
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New arrival Jhon Duran starts for Al-Nassr but it’s Ronaldo who shines in Asia

New arrival Jhon Duran starts for Al-Nassr but it’s Ronaldo who shines in Asia
  • The Riyadh side hammer Al-Wasl of the UAE 4-0 in AFC Champions League Elite
  • Al-Ahli defeat Al-Sadd of Qatar 3-1 as Saudi clubs continue to dominate group stage

RIYADH: Jhon Duran, Al-Nassr’s latest big signing, made his debut for the club on Monday but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who once again grabbed most of the headlines in a 4-0 win over Emirati side Al-Wasl in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Earlier, Al-Ahli defeated Al-Sadd of Qatar 3-1 to ensure it was another good day for the Kingdom in Asia. The victories mean that the top-three spots in the 12-team West Asian group are all still occupied by Saudi Pro League sides, with Al-Ahli in first place on 19 points, three ahead of both Al-Hilal, who can go back on top with a win against Persepolis of Iran on Tuesday, and Al-Nassr.

Al-Nassr and Al-Wasl had already secured their places in the knockout phase ahead of Monday’s game but both teams nonetheless fielded strong starting lineups for match day seven of eight in the group stage.

Duran started the game just three days after arriving in Riyadh from Aston Villa, but it was to be the familiar figure of Ronaldo who did most of the damage.

The opening goal, however, came after 25 minutes from a less likely source in Ali Al-Hassan. The midfielder picked up possession 30 meters from goal, took a step forward and then unleashed a low shot that flew into the bottom corner of the Al-Wasl net.

Just before the break, Cristiano Ronaldo, just two days shy of his 40th birthday, extended the Yellows’ lead from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. The Portuguese megastar made it 3-0 after 78 minutes with a flying header, and there was still time for Mohammed Al-Fatil to add a fourth.

Meanwhile, Al-Ahli had to come from a goal behind at Al-Sadd. Akram Afif opened the scoring for the 2011 champions with just 47 seconds on the clock, as he raced onto a through pass. The Asian player of the year spotted Edouard Mendy was off his line and lifted the ball over the ex-Chelsea shot-stopper.

Nine minutes later, Roberto Firmino silenced the home fans in spectacular fashion. Riyad Mahrez headed the ball across goal to where the former Liverpool star was waiting to find the back of the net with a perfectly-executed bicycle kick.

Six minutes before the break and the Jeddah giants were ahead thanks to Roger Ibanez. It was all over in the 81st minute after Ivan Toney got to the ball ahead of the goalkeeper at the edge of the area, leaving Mahrez to fire home.


Al-Ittihad fight back to keep pace with Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League

Al-Ittihad fight back to keep pace with Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League
Updated 01 February 2025
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Al-Ittihad fight back to keep pace with Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League

Al-Ittihad fight back to keep pace with Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League
  • Win puts Al-Ittihad on 46 points, behind leaders Al-Hilal
  • Title-chasing Tigers recover from 2-goal deficit to grab win

EDDAH: Al-Ittihad had to work hard to defeat Al-Kholood 4-3 on Saturday and stay within striking distance of Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal.
Two goals down early on, the Jeddah giants fought back for a win that puts them on 46 points, behind Al-Hilal only on goal difference.
The title-chasing Tigers had a terrible start, however, with William Troost-Ekong putting the visitors ahead after 15 minutes, and Myziane Maolida adding a second eight minutes later.
The hosts soon responded, with Abdulrahman Al-Oboud, a player in fine form, scoring within the half-hour. All the work was done by Houssem Aouar, who turned outside the box and dribbled through the defense only for his shot to be blocked. But his team-mate was there to bundle home.


Then, nine minutes into added first-half time, Steven Bergwijn scored from the spot after Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti was brought down in the area to ensure that the teams went in level at the break.
Almost immediately after the restart, Al-Ittihad were ahead for the first time thanks to Hassan Kadesh, who volleyed home a N’Golo Kante cross from close range to the delight of the home fans.
The victory was sealed just after the hour as Bergwijn got his second, scoring from a rebound off a Karim Benzema shot that was initially saved.
Al-Kholood made it 4-3 inside injury time as Maolida got his second, but Al-Ittihad took the win.
Al-Qadsiah, the league’s in-form team, were shocked to be held to a 1-1 draw at bottom club Al-Fateh. The easterners, who had won nine of the last 10, took the lead after just two minutes, with Julian Quinones scoring.
Two minutes after the restart, however, Matheus Machado scored to earn Al-Fateh a share of the spoils and ensure that Al-Qadsiah, newly promoted, stay in fourth on 38 points — behind Al-Nassr on goal difference.


Aston Villa’s Duran joins Saudi club Al Nassr for reported £64 mln

Aston Villa’s Duran joins Saudi club Al Nassr for reported £64 mln
Updated 01 February 2025
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Aston Villa’s Duran joins Saudi club Al Nassr for reported £64 mln

Aston Villa’s Duran joins Saudi club Al Nassr for reported £64 mln
  • The 21-year-old Colombian scored Villa’s winner in their memorable Champions League victory against Bayern Munich earlier this season
  • “Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al-Nassr for an undisclosed fee,” the Premier League club said

LONDON: Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr on Friday in a deal worth a reported £64 million ($79 million).
Duran was unable to break into Villa’s team on a regular basis despite a series of impressive substitute appearances.
The 21-year-old Colombian scored Villa’s winner in their memorable Champions League victory against Bayern Munich earlier this season.
“Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Duran has joined Al-Nassr for an undisclosed fee,” the Premier League club said in a statement.

“The striker moves to Saudi Arabia having scored 12 goals for Villa this term, including the winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
“Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career.”
Duran will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in the Al Nassr attack after completing his move on the Saudi transfer deadline day.
It is the second biggest transfer fee Villa have received behind the £100 million Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish.
Duran joined Villa from Chicago Fire for £18 million in January 2023, scoring 20 goals in 78 appearances, but making just seven league starts.
Duran’s exit means Villa are almost certain to keep England striker Ollie Watkins, who had been the subject of a reported £60 million bid from Arsenal.
Villa boss Unai Emery said earlier on Friday that Watkins had told him he wanted to stay with the club.


Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways

Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways
Updated 31 January 2025
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Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways

Hilal, Ettifaq return to winning ways
  • Blue Waves’ victory over Al-Okhdood comes after surprise defeat at Al-Qadsiah
  • Brazilian Kaio Cesar put hosts ahead on debut in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Al-Hilal returned to winning ways on Friday, defeating Al-Okhdood 4-0 to go three points clear of Al-Ittihad at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
The victory, albeit against the relegation-threatened visitors, showed a return to form after the club’s surprise defeat to Al-Qadsiah earlier in the week.
Al-Hilal may have seen the departure of megastar Neymar but thanks to fellow Brazilian Kaio Cesar, who was making his debut in Saudi Arabia, the result was never in doubt. The 20-year-old winger fired home from close range in the fourth minute after a shot-cum-cross by Moteb Al-Harbi.


It was the perfect start but the Blue Waves had to wait until the end of the first half to establish their dominance.
Two minutes before the break, Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic curled a free kick worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo into the top corner, and two minutes into added time Marcos Leonardo headed home at the far post following a headed cross from Saudi Arabian international Hassan Tambakti.
The Brazilian forward scored a second from close range just 10 minutes after the restart to seal the win.
While the victory put Al-Hilal back on top of the table, Al-Ittihad will join them on points if they beat Al-Kholood at home on Saturday.
Later on Friday Ettifaq recorded a much-needed 3-1 win over Al-Shabab, just a day after the departure of head coach Steven Gerrard.
Gini Wijnaldum put the hosts ahead after 35 minutes and despite a quick response from Abderazzak Hamdallah goals from Joao Costa and a second for the Dutchman deep into injury time put the game beyond reach.