LONDON: Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is looking forward to his first season in charge of the Saudi Arabia giants as the defending champions look to defend their league title in the forthcoming campaign that kicks off in two weeks’ time.
The 64-year-old joined the Riyadh club in June and is charged with leading the two-time continental champions into a new era under club president Sami Al-Jaber, appointed in April.
Working outside his native Portugal for the first time in a distinguished career, the former Benfica and Sporting Lisbon boss is happy to have made Al-Hilal his home away from home.
“I have come to a country that has a different culture in football and also in many aspects,” Jesus told Arab News ahead of last night’s Super Cup clash against Al-Ittihad in London.
“I have to get used to that culture and also the players. There were opportunities to go overseas before but this is the one that seemed most exciting and challenging and I am really looking forward to the season starting. I hope that I can do a great job and bring trophies to Al-Hilal. This is my job and this will also help the reputation of Portuguese coaches around the world.”
After time in charge of Benfica — where he won three Portuguese league titles — and Sporting Lisbon, Jesus understands that there is a similar expectation of success at the 15-time Saudi Arabia champions.
“I have worked at big clubs in my career and Al-Hilal are a big club,” Jesus said.
“This is a club with lots of fans and these are fans with a huge amount of passion and love for their team. I have seen this already whether it is waiting at the airport for new players in the middle of the night or greeting the players for the new season. They are special and it is my job to have a team that excites the fans and brings success.”
The Riyadh giants won the Saudi Pro League title in May, pipping Al-Ahli to the post thanks to victory on the final day of the season. Like a number of clubs in the country, the champions have been active in the international transfer market with each team now allowed to sign eight foreign players.
Refusing to rest on their laurels, the champions have signed Peruvian international Andre Carrillo — who is reunited with his former boss from Sporting Lisbon — former Barcelona defender Alberto Botia and, most dramatically last week, 2016 Asian Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman.
“In football you have to keep trying to strengthen and there is no better time to do so than when you are winning trophies. We should always be looking to improve,” Jesus said.
“We have brought in some good players and I think the fans will be excited to see them in action when the season starts. It is not only us. Other teams have also been strengthening. This is good for the league and it means that standards will be getting better for everyone.
“We have a few injury concerns but overall we are feeling good,” added Jesus.
“We had a good time in pre-season training and I have come to know the players. They have a desire to improve and to be as good as they can be. We will try to win every competition that we enter. This is what being at a big club is all about. Now we are focused on the season. We are ready and want to get off to a good start.
Jorge Jesus ready for a challenge at Al-Hilal
Jorge Jesus ready for a challenge at Al-Hilal
- Portuguese boss pipped Al-Ahli to the title last season.
- Jesus excited for the new season and ready to defend Saudi Pro League crown.
MI Emirates book ILT20 final spot with 7-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Allah Ghazanfar triple sets up 82-run stand from Al-Hasan, Banton
- MI Emirates to face Desert Vipers in the Season 4 final on Friday
SHARJAH: MI Emirates booked their place in the International League T20 final with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Despite an unbeaten half-century from Alishan Sharafu, the Knight Riders were restricted to 120/8, with Allah Ghazanfar starring with the ball, finishing with figures of 3 for 24.
The Emirates’ Shakib Al-Hasan and Tom Banton lcombined for an 82-run partnership to set up a final showdown against the Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
MI Emirates made an early breakthrough in the second over, when Michael Pepper was run out for one by a superb direct hit from Andre Fletcher. Brandon McMullen followed soon after, trapped LBW by Muhammad Rohid for 13, as the Knight Riders limped to 31/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Liam Livingstone endured a difficult stay at the crease before being dismissed by Rohid in the seventh over, departing for just four.
With the spinners applying sustained pressure, boundaries were hard to come by, aside from Arab Gul’s 12th over, which went for 13 runs.
Alex Hales and Sharafu attempted to rebuild with a 47-run stand off 44 balls, but Ghazanfar struck with the final delivery of the 14th over to remove Hales for 29. Ghazanfar returned late in the innings to claim two wickets in the 18th over, dismissing Jason Holder and Sunil Narine in quick succession, as the Knight Riders closed on 120/8, with Sharafu reaching his half-century off the final ball.
In reply, MI Emirates were pegged back early when Fletcher fell for five in the second over to Ajay Kumar. Holder and Narine maintained the pressure during the powerplay, with Banton and Muhammad Waseem finding it difficult to rotate the strike as MI Emirates reached 26/1 after six overs.
The pair steadied the innings before Narine trapped Waseem LBW in the eighth over. Shakib then joined Banton and shifted the momentum decisively, striking Livingstone for a six and two fours in a 17-run 12th over, with the duo bringing up their 50-run stand in just 29 balls.
Banton reached his half-century off 49 deliveries in the 15th over, taking 18 runs off Holder to leave MI Emirates needing just eight runs from the final five overs. Although Shakib departed in the 16th over, MI Emirates completed the chase with 23 balls to spare to seal their place in the final.
Player of the Match Al-Hasan said winning the toss had been crucial.
“The bowlers were outstanding and kept picking up wickets, which made the difference. With the bat, the focus was on batting time and managing overs, especially against the spinners,” he said.
“That was my role today. In pressure games, losing wickets makes it very hard to recover.”
Knight Riders captain Holder said his team struggled to build momentum on a challenging wicket.
“Still, considering where we were midway through the tournament, I thought it was a solid effort overall. We came up short tonight but the commitment throughout the campaign was excellent,” he said.
“Andre was outstanding and everyone contributed at different stages of the tournament.”
