RIYADH: Saudi footballer Hassan Kadesh, who was suffering from a pain in his thigh, did not take part in the national team’s training session on Thursday ahead of their friendly match against Nigeria on Friday.
Meanwhile, teammate Zakaria Al-Hawsawi took part in special exercises with medical staff.
The game, at Portimao Stadium in Portugal, is part of the third phase of the Green Falcons’ preparations for the 2023 Asian Cup, which will kick off in January.
Coach Roberto Mancini supervised the training session at the Cascade Wellness Resort. After warming up, the players took part in possession training and tactical exercises. They then played mini-matches before concluding the session with stretching exercises.
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Saudi footballer Hassan Kadesh misses out on national team training on eve of Nigeria friendly
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Saudi footballer Hassan Kadesh misses out on national team training on eve of Nigeria friendly
- Teammate Zakaria Al-Hawsawi takes part in special exercises with medical staff as squad completes final preparations for match at Portimao Stadium in Portugal
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.
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