Saudi take on Ecuador as World Cup preparations continue

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The 26-man Saudi Arabia squad train ahead of their match with Ecuador on Sept. 23 and the US four days later in World Cup bid. (Supplied)
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The 26-man Saudi Arabia squad train ahead of their match with Ecuador on Sept. 23 and the US four days later in World Cup bid. (Supplied)
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The 26-man Saudi Arabia squad train ahead of their match with Ecuador on Sept. 23 and the US four days later in World Cup bid. (Supplied)
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The 26-man Saudi Arabia squad train ahead of their match with Ecuador on Sept. 23 and the US four days later in World Cup bid. (Supplied)
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The 26-man Saudi Arabia squad train ahead of their match with Ecuador on Sept. 23 and the US four days later in World Cup bid. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 September 2022
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Saudi take on Ecuador as World Cup preparations continue

  • Herve Renard’s men face US next week, amid training in Spain

The 26-man Saudi Arabia squad on Monday continued its second phase of preparation for the 2022 World Cup with another training camp in the Spanish city of Alicante, which will be followed up with two friendlies later this month.

The Green Falcons are set to play Ecuador on Sept. 23 and the US four days later.

Both matches will be played at Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia.

The training session took place at La Finca Resort under the watchful eye of French coach Herve Renard with players eased gently into warm-up exercises, before picking up the pace with possession drills, and finally winding down with warm-down stretches.

Training will continue on Tuesday with an evening session as Renard will look to pick up the pace ahead of the first friendly match on Friday.


Benzema’s goal propels Al-Ittihad to victory in Asian Champions League

Updated 24 December 2025
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Benzema’s goal propels Al-Ittihad to victory in Asian Champions League

  • The victory moved Al-Ittihad to sixth place in the 12-team Western group

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Karim Benzema’s second-half strike was enough to give Al-Ittihad a 1-0 win over Nasaf Qarshi of Uzbekistan on Tuesday, placing the Saudi title holders within sight of the Asian Champions League Elite knockout round.
The French striker volleyed home from close range at the far post after 57 minutes, meeting a cross from Portuguese winger Roger Fernandes.
The victory moved Al-Ittihad to sixth place in the 12-team Western group. With the top eight from the East and West advancing to the round of 16, a win against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in the next match would clinch advancement for the two-time champion.
Elsewhere, Roberto Mancini delivered Al-Sadd’s first win in dramatic fashion.
Trailing 2-1 to Al-Ahli Dubai after 90 minutes, the Qatar club scored three goals in stoppage time to win 4-2, with Spanish striker Rafa Mujica completing his hat trick, and keep faint hopes of advancing alive.