RIYADH: Real Madrid striker Joselu believes the support of fans in Riyadh can help spur Los Blancos to Spanish Super Cup 2024 success on Sunday night.
On Wednesday, the sold-out 25,000-capacity Al-Awwal Park — the current home of former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo — saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side come from behind to beat city rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 in an incredible semifinal.
Joselu, who came on as a substitute, was instrumental in the win after pressurizing Atletico defender Stefan Savic into conceding the fourth goal in the final minutes of extra time.
The Spanish striker, praised as “a difference maker” by manager Ancelotti, celebrated the goal with a knee slide in front of the loud and adoring fans — and believes their fervent backing in Sunday’s final could be vital.
Joselu said: “It’s very important to be here with the Real Madrid fans because we saw 90 percent of the fans in the stadium were wearing white shirts, and for us that’s very important. The atmosphere feels like it’s home and that is very important for us.
“A title is always important for this club, and we will try to win the trophy for them and the club on Sunday.”
Like all good strikers, Joselu is attempting to claim the goal that was officially credited to Savic. The Real Madrid No.14 got a touch on Dani Carvajal’s sublime cross which then hit the Montenegrin defender and went in.
Joselu said: “I aimed to the goal. I then lost the ball, I didn’t know where it was going, but I am keeping the goal to myself. The pass I received was amazing and the only thing missing is that the goal is credited to me. I am here to support the team in everything I can. I obviously want to score goals and this one was quite special because it unlocked a very tight scoreboard and gave us the pass to the final.”
Sunday’s final will see Real Madrid play either Barcelona in an El Clasico clash, or CA Osasuna. That semifinal takes place at 10 p.m. on Thursday at Al-Awwal Park. Sunday’s final kicks off at the same time at the same venue.
Joselu, on loan from Espanyol and who previously played for Newcastle United and Stoke City, said: “I don’t mind if we play against Barcelona or Osasuna. I have scored goals against the two teams, so I am looking forward to the match on Sunday. We have done our job; we now have to rest and give it all on Sunday and play as good or better than Wednesday.
“The fans had a good time because they want to see the teams score. We wanted to get to the final. I think our team has done a fantastic job.”
This is the fourth time that the Spanish Super Cup has been played in Saudi Arabia. In 2020, Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid on penalties in Jeddah, and won the trophy again two years later by beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in Riyadh. Last year, the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh witnessed a fascinating El Clasico final as Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid.
The four-team Spanish Super Cup 2024 features the winners and runners up of La Liga and Copa del Rey.
The Spanish Super Cup has kickstarted an incredible year-round schedule of international sports in the Kingdom, with football, motorsport, tennis, esports, combat sports, golf, and equestrian events all locked in for 2024.
Real Madrid’s Joselu lauds inspirational Saudi Arabia fans in Spanish Super Cup campaign
https://arab.news/z63jt
Real Madrid’s Joselu lauds inspirational Saudi Arabia fans in Spanish Super Cup campaign
- Ahead of final in Riyadh on Sunday, Real Madrid hero says fans wearing white was huge boost to players
- Taking trophy is within grasp of Los Blancos, maintains star striker
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.
