LONDON: Saudi Professional League’s Al-Shabab has signed Brazilian striker Jonatas Belusso on a one-year contract, with the option of a 12-month extension at the end of the forthcoming 2017-18 season.
The 29-year-old forward has had experience in Asian football having played for South Korean clubs Gangwon FC, where he netted 15 goals in 31 appearances, and Seoul E-Land 2016 where he scored four goals in 17 appearances.
He has though spent the majority of his career until now in his native Brazil with productive stints at provincial sides such as Metropolitano, Guaratingueta, Brusque and Londrina.
Meanwhile, Riyadh-based Al-Nassr is reportedly weighing up a loan move for Al-Ain’s Mohamed Adbulrahman as the Knights of Najd look to fill the Asian-qualified slot in its allotted quota of overseas players.
Abdulrahman has made 122 appearances for Al-Ain since breaking into the first-team fold in 2008, scoring 33 goals in that time.
He has 59 caps and seven goals for the UAE national team having made his international debut in 2014.
Mohamed’s younger brother Omar, who also plays for Al -Ain, does not seem likely to be joining Nice in a loan switch of his own any time soon though.
The star midfielder has a gentleman’s agreement with the club to leave only once he has led them to Asian Champions League (ACL) glory.
Al-Ain — the 2016 ACL runner-up — is set to face Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in the quarterfinals of this year’s edition, with the first leg set for Aug. 21 and the return Sept. 11.
The eventual winner of that last-eight clash will face either KSA’s Al-Ahli or Persepolis of Iran in the semis for the west region.
With Al-Ain maintaining aspirations of going one better than its second-place finish last time around as well, it would be unthinkable for the club to lose the 2016 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year at this pivotal point in proceedings.
Al-Shabab signs Belusso as Nassr eyes Abdulrahman
Al-Shabab signs Belusso as Nassr eyes Abdulrahman
NEOM concede at the death for the second week in a row as Al-Taawoun salvage late draw
- NEOM narrowly lost to Al-Nassr 1-0 last weekend after Mohamed Simakan scored an injury-time winner
- Al-Taawoun followed up with a late equalizer by Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi to deny them three points
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League returned for Matchday 26, with the table beginning to take its final shape as the season enters its final quarter. The title contenders kick off on Friday and Saturday, but Thursday’s action focused on a clash between upper mid-table sides NEOM and Al-Taawoun, alongside three relegation-battlers — Al-Najma, Damac and Al-Kholood — attempting to improve their standings.
In Tabuk, NEOM played out a 2-2 draw with Al-Taawoun, this season’s surprise package under the returning Pericles Chamusca. After a brilliant start to the campaign that saw them spend much of the season in the top four, a poor run of just one win in their last eight games has followed.
Al-Taawoun’s late equaliser was vital in their bid to maintain a spot in the top five. With Al-Ittihad lurking just three points behind and yet to play this weekend, every point matters for the Wolves of Qassim. Regardless, it has become a painful second half of the season for Chamusca’s side, as they now sit 12 points behind the top four.
After a heroic performance from Luis Maximiano against Al-Nassr last weekend, NEOM were unfortunate to leave Riyadh empty-handed after conceding at the death. There were still plenty of positives from the defeat, as Christophe Galtier’s squad appear to have finally hit second gear this season.
Calm and collected against Al-Nassr, they repeated the same approach against Al-Taawoun. Knowing their opponents thrive on space in the transition, NEOM prevented them from accessing wingers Marin Petkov and Biel, leaving star striker Roger Martinez isolated for most of the match.
Amadou Koné and Abdoulaye Doucouré did their part to disrupt the centre of Al-Taawoun’s block, with the former driving forward and the latter drifting in between the lines to create the opener. In the 23rd minute, Al-Taawoun’s defence were pulled apart as Luciano Rodríguez met Doucouré’s precise through ball to slot home.
NEOM maintained their composure throughout the match, but it took a wonder strike from Martinez to bring the visitors level in the 70th minute, the Colombian producing a superb strike from distance.
It only took six minutes for NEOM to respond. Saïd Benrahma broke down the Al-Taawoun defence once again, releasing Alexandre Lacazette for a powerful finish to restore the hosts’ lead.
Despite the strong performance from NEOM, they ultimately fell victim to another late setback. Substitute Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi surged down the flank in stoppage time before cutting inside and curling a precise finesse shot beyond Maximiano to salvage a point.
Elsewhere, Damac continued their resurgence under Fabio Carrille with a 3-1 victory over Al-Najma, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table. The win moves Damac six points clear of Al-Riyadh in the relegation zone, while Al-Najma sit 14 points from safety with eight matches remaining.
Meanwhile, Al-Hazem secured a late victory after Abdulaziz Al-Dwehe netted an 86th-minute winner in a 2-1 triumph over Al-Kholood. It was a frustrating night for the Saudi Pro League’s all-time leading scorer Omar Al-Somah, who missed a penalty for the winners in the 60th minute.
Saudi Pro League action resumes on Friday, with Al-Fayha hosting Al-Ettifaq and Al-Riyadh welcoming Al-Ittihad at 10:00pm. The headline fixture of the evening — kicking off at the same time — sees second-placed Al-Ahli travel to face fourth-placed Al-Qadsiah. Victory for Al-Ahli against tough opposition would strengthen their title push, while defeat for Al-Qadsiah could effectively end their unlikely championship hopes.
