Magic Mitrovic leads the way as Al-Hilal stage stunning Classico comeback win over Ittihad

Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed a hat-trick. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 02 September 2023
Follow

Magic Mitrovic leads the way as Al-Hilal stage stunning Classico comeback win over Ittihad

  • Three goals in 10 second-half minutes turned the tide as the Riyadh side came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 and ending Al-Ittithad’s perfect start to the season
  • Along the way, Mitrovic grabbed a hat trick against the defending champions, who had not conceded a single goal in their first four games this season

The football history books will record that Al-Hilal won 4-3 at Al-Ittihad on Friday but there was a great deal more to this seven-goal thriller than just that final result.

With two thirds of the Classico gone, Al-Ittihad appeared to be cruising to victory with a 3-1 lead, and headed for a fifth win out of five this season. But then, incredibly, the defending champions who had not conceded a single goal in the first four games in the Roshn Saudi League, conceded three in the space of 10 minutes. Along the way, Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed a hat trick that played a big part in securing the three points for the Riyadh side. It was a stunning comeback and result.

It means that Al-Ittihad coach Nuno Santo has yet to record a victory in five games against the Blues, and that Al-Hilal go top of the league, at least for 24 hours until Al-Ahli, the only remaining team with a perfect record, head to Al-Fateh on Saturday. Whatever happens then, it is unlikely to be as good a game as this one was.

Al-Ittihad took the lead after 16 minutes. Abderrazak Hamdallah slipped the ball through to Romarinho on the left side and the Brazilian found the net, as keeper Yassine Bounou finally conceded his first goal since arriving in Saudi Arabia from Sevilla.

Then, four minutes later, Marcelo Grohe let in his first of the season when Al-Hilal equalized through an outrageous strike from Mitrovic. A cross from the right from the impressive Saud Abdulhamid found the Serbian inside the area but he still had a huge amount to do. Mitrovic was moving away from goal to the left of the penalty spot but met the ball with a delightful right-footed volley that flew into the top corner to give the keeper no chance.

Both teams pushed forward trying to get the all-important next goal and when it came it was delivered by Karim Benzema. The French striker limped off the pitch during Monday’s 3-0 win at Al-Wehda but had recovered from the muscle injury well enough to restore the Tigers’ lead seven minutes before the break with another memorable strike. Ahmed Bamsaud, who had possession on the left byline in a crowded area, managed to thread the ball through to the former Real Madrid man on the near post, who flicked it home with the back of his right boot and outfox Bounou.

There was still time in the first half for the hosts to extend their lead, as Hamdallah got in on the act in the eighth minute of added time. It was the result of a major mistake from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who had possession inside his own area but as he ran toward the byline he turned and cleared only as far as the Moroccan marksman, standing just a few meters away. Hamdallah fired home.

It was no surprise that Al-Hilal made most of the running early in the second half as they tried to get back into the game, though the hosts looked dangerous on the counter, with Bounou saving well from Benzema. The next goal was going be crucial, either in putting the game to bed or blowing it wide open.

On the hour mark, it proved to be the latter outcome. That man Abdulhamid once again floated a cross towards Mitrovic at the far post, and while his header from close range was spectacularly saved by Grohe, the former Fulham man bundled home the rebound. Suddenly it was 3-2, with all to play for.

Just two minutes later, lively substitute Michael was fouled in the area and up stepped Mitrovic to level what was proving to be a roller coaster of a game.

The hosts were shell-shocked and things got even worse for them after 70 minutes. Abdulhamid picked out a run by Milinkovic-Savic on the left side of the area and the Serbian’s header into the six-yard box was met by Salem Al-Dawsari, who fired home and then treated the traveling support to his famous somersaults.

Al-Ittihad’s players must have been feeling just as dizzy by then and they threw everything they could forward in an attempt to get back on level terms. Bounou might have been beaten three times in the first half but the Moroccan was in fine form in the second to keep the home side out.

In the end, after a generous 12 minutes of added time, Al-Hilal took the win in a game that will never be forgotten by anyone who witnessed it.


Saudi Arabia edge past Japan to take U17 Asian Cup semifinal place

Updated 14 April 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia edge past Japan to take U17 Asian Cup semifinal place

  • After 90 minutes of football ended 2-2 in Taif, penalty shootout needed to separate two teams

TAIF: A dramatic penalty shootout saw Saudi Arabia beat Japan on Sunday to move into the U17 Asian Cup semifinals for the first time since 1992.

With the score at 2-2 after 90 minutes of regular football, the shootout ended 3-2 to leave the Green Falcons celebrating with their home fans and looking forward to Thursday’s clash with either South Korea or Tajikistan.

It was a busy start to the quarterfinal, with Abdulrahman Sufyani having a close-range shot saved in just the third minute and then seeing his rebound attempt bounce off the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards, however, Abubaker Saeed handled the ball in the area and, after a VAR check, Japan’s Taiga Seguchi scored from the spot in the ninth minute. 

It was a short-lived lead. In the 15th minute, Abdulaziz Al-Fawaz was bundled over in the area and Saeed stepped up to convert the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

It got even better for Saudi Arabia eight minutes before the break. Sufyani ran free down the right, cut inside the area and pulled the ball across goal for Sabri Dahal to fire home from close range.

It was looking good for the home side until Japan equalized with 18 minutes remaining. Daichi Tani’s through ball from the middle dissected the Saudi defense for Hiroto Asada to sprint through and roll the ball past Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi.

This meant it came down to a penalty shootout. Al-Otaibi almost kept out Asada and then Nasser Al-Fihani made it 1-1. Yazeed Al-Dosari did the same after the second Japanese effort to make it 2-2.

There were celebrations as Al-Otaibi saved a low strike from Yuito Kamo but then Thari Saeed also saw his attempt kept out.

It was still two apiece, but Shota Fujii hit the bar, giving Saudi Arabia another chance and this time it was taken coolly by Maher Tawashi. It meant Japan had to score with their last effort, but once again they hit the woodwork — keeping the hosts on course for a first continental title since 1988.


Ronaldo special keeps Al-Nassr’s SPL title hopes alive

Updated 17 April 2025
Follow

Ronaldo special keeps Al-Nassr’s SPL title hopes alive

  • Brace from superstar keeps the Yellows in the hunt for an unlikely title

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Al-Nassr to a 2-1 win over Al-Riyadh on Saturday to move his team to within a point of second-placed Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League and eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad. 

Those two goals from the megastar, 22 and 23 in the league season so far, not only keep the 40-year-old on top of the scoring standings but, more importantly, mean that the Yellows are, just, still in the race for the title with seven games to go.

It was looking very different at the end of the first half however, as Al-Nassr fell a goal behind just before the break. Faiz Selemani made the breakthrough, reacting quickly to score a rebound after Nassr goalkeeper Bento had parried a long-range shot from Abdullah Al-Khaibari into his path. 

While the home fans were stunned, a certain five-time Ballon d’Or winner sprung into action four minutes before the hour.  Sadio Mane, on the left byline, sent a pass across the edge of the six-yard box for the former Real Madrid and Manchester United legend to score from close range.

Four minutes after the hour, Ronaldo produced a spectacular winner. A clearance looped up to the Portuguese star on the edge of the area and he smashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner for what will surely be one of the goals of the season.

There was still time for Ronaldo and Jhon Duran to go close to sealing the win and Ibrahim Bayesh almost claimed a point for Riyadh before the woodwork intervened. A late red card for Ahmed Asiri ended the visitors’ quest for a point however.

Al-Nassr moved five points clear of the two teams in fourth and fifth. Al-Ahli won on Friday while Al-Qadsiah’s hopes of a top three finish were dented with a 2-1 defeat away to Al-Fayha.

The hosts took the lead just after the half-hour through Renzo Lopez but the visitors, who would have moved to within three points of Al-Hilal with a win, dominated most of the possession and chances but just could not find the back of the net. 

Their misery was complete as Lopez added a second just before the hour, which meant that a 93rd minute goal from Julian Quinones was a case of too little too late.


Meet Ali Al-Shabeeb, the Geordie Saudi who scored at Wembley and dreams of SPL move

Updated 11 April 2025
Follow

Meet Ali Al-Shabeeb, the Geordie Saudi who scored at Wembley and dreams of SPL move

  • The 24-year-old spoke to Arab News about growing up in Newcastle, playing for Darlington and almost signing for Al-Qadsiah

LONDON: When Ali Al-Shabeeb starts talking, his Geordie accent is unmistakable. Although he was born in Dammam, Al-Shabeeb left Saudi Arabia when he was 8 years old to move with his family to Newcastle. He went to school there, stayed in the northeast of England to go to Northumbria University, and now plays football there too, for FC Darlington.

“When I first came here, I did not speak an ounce of English,” Al-Shabeeb told Arab News. “My dad was studying for his PhD, so he brought us all across, but I didn’t even play football then. I was a tennis player.

“But you can’t grow up in Newcastle without seeing the love and joy that football gives people, and so of course I started playing and kept improving to the level that I was able to think about having a career in the game.”

Picked for the prestigious English Universities side while studying at Northumbria, Al-Shabeeb recalls facing the likes of ex-Manchester United players Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes in youth football tournaments.

Al-Shabeeb was still at university when he made history in 2021. Playing for non-league Consett AFC, the young Saudi forward helped his team reach the FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium, the iconic home of England’s national team. Although Consett lost the final 3-2, Al-Shabeeb became the first player from the Kingdom to score at Wembley.

“If I’m being totally honest, I had it in the back of my mind the night before,” Al-Shabeeb recalled, smiling. “Sitting in the hotel, I remember thinking, ‘You’ve actually got a chance to score at Wembley tomorrow.’

“I didn’t have any nerves going into the match, and then I scored the first goal of the game. It was surreal, incredible. When you think about all the players who have scored goals at Wembley, it is difficult to believe and hard to describe how it feels. 

“The only disappointing thing was it was during COVID-19, so there were no fans. I wish my family could have been there and we could have enjoyed playing in front of a big crowd.”

News of the Wembley goal made it all the way back to the Kingdom, and Al-Shabeeb soon found himself being approached by Saudi clubs about a professional contract.

The most exciting offer came from Al-Qadsiah, who were then playing in the Saudi First Division. Al-Shabeeb was set to sign for the club, but then the deal fell through when a groin injury was identified in his medical. Since then, Al-Qadsiah have enjoyed a meteoric rise and are currently third in the Saudi Pro League table and the King’s Cup semifinals.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow if I’m being totally honest,” Al-Shabeeb admitted. “Qadsiah would have been the right environment for me to improve and develop in Saudi Arabia. But these things happen in football, and I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had.

“Still, I honestly believe if I had signed for Qadsiah then I would still be there now. I think playing in English football has given me knowledge and experience that no other Saudi player has. I can handle myself physically but have the technical ability too.”

Al-Shabeeb ended up having surgery on his groin and moved to the Kingdom in the summer of 2022, joining Saudi First Division side Al-Sahel. He later played for Al-Qaisumah too, coming up against Michel’s Al-Qadsiah on their way to winning the Saudi First Division title last season.

“It was funny going back home to Saudi Arabia because there were four foreign players in the squad, but everyone would see me as a foreigner more than a Saudi player,” Al-Shabeeb said.

“I always got on really well with the foreign players — we had Brazilians and Portuguese — because I think we had a lot more in common. But of course, I speak Arabic too, so I really found myself to be a bridge between the two sets of players in the dressing room. It’s a nice position to be in when you can be that connection.”

Al-Shabeeb struggled to find his feet back in the country of his birth, and he felt his development was stifled as coaches regularly came and went.

“I didn’t have anyone to take me under his wing to show me the ropes,” he said. “I used to ask my coaches how I could develop, but it was more of a ‘keep your mouth shut and move on’ type of approach; no one seemed to like me asking these questions.

“Things didn’t quite click at either club, and that’s why I moved back to Darlington. I needed to get my love for the game back, and that’s exactly what has happened.”

At Darlington, Al-Shabeeb’s coach is Steve Watson, the former Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle United defender who spent 14 seasons in the Premier League.

“Steve is a guy that has reached levels that me and my teammates wish we can. He’s also very honest and straight up. He took me in with no hesitation, and even though I felt pressure coming from a professional club in Saudi Arabia, he just let me play football.

“Even though we are in a league where teams like to kick it long, Steve wants us to play out from the back and actually play football. That’s what suits me best.”

Darlington play in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, but Al-Shabeeb feels his experiences this season have left him better equipped to move back to Saudi Arabia.

“There are a few teams that have shown an interest from the Saudi First Division, and that is probably the best step for me right now,” Al-Shabeeb said.

“Obviously I would love to play in the Pro League, but there are so many great foreign players moving to Saudi Arabia now; in the First Division, there are more spots on the teams for Saudis, so it’s better for me.”

Al-Shabeeb admits it will be a wrench to leave Newcastle, his home for the majority of the past 17 years. But there remains an inextricable link between the city and Saudi Arabia; Al-Shabeeb has seen firsthand how the city has changed since the Saudi Public Investment Fund bought Newcastle United in 2021.

“It has been amazing since the takeover,” Al-Shabeeb said. “When I first came to Newcastle in 2008 and people asked where I was from, I’d say, ‘Saudi Arabia,’ and they’d respond with, ‘Where is that?’

“I remember I would just say, ‘Near Dubai,’ as more people had that as a reference point in the Middle East. There were never any other Saudis in school; we were the only ones.

“But since the takeover, I have seen so many more Saudis in Newcastle, it’s mad. The city has a lot of love for Saudi Arabia because of how well the team is doing. Now when people find out I’m from Saudi, there is more of an understanding and of course people also love that I sound like a Geordie!”


Concacaf Gold Cup draw lands Saudi Arabia in group with hosts USA

Updated 11 April 2025
Follow

Concacaf Gold Cup draw lands Saudi Arabia in group with hosts USA

  • The Saudis have been invited as official guests

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will play the US in this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, after organizers held the official draw on Thursday.

The Green Falcons landed in Group D with Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and hosts USA, in a draw held in Miami.

The cup will be the 18th edition of the biennial international men’s competition for national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean region

The Saudis have been invited as official guests.

Tournament will be played between June 14 and July 6, and features group and knockout stages before the final at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The Gold Cup is being co-hosted by the US and Canada. Along with Mexico, they will also be staging next year’s FIFA World Cup.

 


Al-Taawoun edge close to Asian final with narrow win over Sharjah

Updated 08 April 2025
Follow

Al-Taawoun edge close to Asian final with narrow win over Sharjah

  • An early strike from Abdelhamid Sabiri was enough to settle the clash
  • All to play for in the second leg in UAE next week

BURAIDAH: Al-Taawoun took a big step towards the final of the AFC Champions League Two on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Sharjah in the first leg of their last four clash.

An early strike from Abdelhamid Sabiri was enough to settle the clash in Saudi Arabia but there is still much work to do in the United Arab Emirates next week in the return match.

The home fans in Buraidah were celebrating, waving their yellow flags and dreaming of a first ever continental trophy inside two minutes. Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi’s cross caused problems for the visiting defence, it was headed out to the edge of the area and there was Sabiri to fire home with a fierce shot. 

The visitors were rattled and after giving the ball away in defence two minutes later, were relieved as Al-Kuwaykibi’s shot from long range went just over the bar with the goalkeeper struggling.

Sharjah came close to the equaliser after 19 minutes but while Guiherme Biro was found in a good position in the area, the Brazilian slightly slipped as he sent the shot over.

It seemed to get better for the UAE team seven minutes into the second half as they were awarded a penalty as Ousmane Camara went down in the box under a challenge from Mohammed Mahzari. Yet, after a VAR intervention, the decision was reversed, much to the relief of the home fans.

Yet it was the away team who were happier with 18 minutes remaining as Al-Taawoun came within millimetres of extending their lead.Musa Barrow broke free down the right, cut inside and, with just the goalkeeper to beat, the Gambian goalgetter fired his shot against the inside of the post.

It means that there is all to play for in the second leg in Sharjah next week. It should be quite the battle.