PARIS: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has signed a three-year cooperation agreement with the French Football Federation to support development programs of Saudi coaches.
SAFF’s President Yasser Al-Misehal and his French counterpart Philippe Diallo signed the agreement in Paris, said a media statement issued on Wednesday.
Al-Misehal confirmed that the agreement comes as an extension of the distinguished relations between the two federations.
He said: “It comes as a continuation of the development of Saudi football in a way that enhances its presence on the global scene and benefits from advanced federations.”
Meanwhile, Diallo praised the strengthening of cooperation with his Saudi counterpart in a way that serves football in both countries, and contributes to the growth of the game globally.
The Saudi federation’s deputy president, Lamia Bahaian, and Laura Georges, the general secretary of the French federation, were also present during the signing ceremony in addition to Nasser Larguet, SAFF’s technical director.
The agreement aims to develop coaching programs for Saudi male and female coaches.
Over a period of three years, seven separate training programs will be provided, which include the professional training program, elite youth coaches program, physical fitness coaches program, goalkeeper coaches program, as well as defensive and offensive line coaches’ programs, and football directors program.
SAFF signs agreement with French Football Federation to develop coaches’ programs
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SAFF signs agreement with French Football Federation to develop coaches’ programs
- Al-Misehal: ‘It comes as a continuation of the development of Saudi football in a way that enhances its presence on the global scene’
- Diallo praised strengthening of cooperation with Saudi counterpart in a way that serves football
Saudi Arabia edge Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in AFC U23 Asian Cup opener
- Al-Nassr’s Rakan Al-Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start
JEDDAH: Rakan Al-Ghamdi struck late as Saudi Arabia edged a plucky Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Group A opener on Tuesday.
Debutants Kyrgyzstan, reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute, looked on course for a point after goalkeeper Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov had saved Musab Al-Juwayr’s penalty but Al-Nassr’s Al-Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start.
Both sides went on the offensive from the start with Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Radif sending his effort from outside the box high as early as the second minute, while Beknaz Almazbekov had his shot from distance blocked two minutes later.
The hosts began to assert their dominance before suffering a setback in the 13th minute when captain Abdullah Radif was subbed off due to injury with Majed Abdullah taking his place.
However, his absence failed to deter the 2022 champions’ resolve as they almost took the lead in the 15th minute after Abdullah pounced on a stray pass from Anton Polev, only to see his low drive from inside the box saved by Nurlanbekov.
The Central Asian side’s exuberance suffered a dent in the 34th minute when Arsen Sharshenbekov received his marching orders for stamping Abdulaziz Al-Elewai’s ankle, following a VAR review.
Saudi Arabia, however, failed to trouble Nurlanbekov despite the numerical advantage with Kyrgyzstan still very much in the game going into the break.
Nurlanbekov continued to frustrate Saudi Arabia in the second half with the FC Dordoi Bishkek keeper foiling Faris Al-Ghamdi from distance in the 48th minute.
Saudi Arabia almost found the opener just after the hour mark when Yaseen Al-Zubaidi and Abdulaziz Al-Elewai exchanged passes with the latter breaking into the box, only to see his shot from a difficult angle closed down by Nurlanbekov.
Spurred on by their passionate home support, Saudi Arabia’s pressure earned them a penalty in the 74th minute after Arslan Bekberdinov’s handball but Nurlanbekov judged correctly to deny Al-Juwayr from the spot with his outstretched right-handed save.
Saudi Arabia finally found a way through in the 88th minute after Al-Juwayr’s clever pass found Al-Ghamdi, who rifled his shot past Nurlanbekov to seal the victory.
Saudi Arabia will meet Jordan on Friday while Kyrgyzstan will aim to bounce back against Vietnam.
