Saudi and Japanese football leagues to work together to develop the sport in both countries

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) and the Japan Professional Football League (J.League) have signed an agreement aiming to establish effective communication channels between the two bodies. (SPL/File)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Saudi and Japanese football leagues to work together to develop the sport in both countries

  • They will collaborate on ways to achieve sustainable growth of the sport, enhance the standard of football, and facilitate exchange of expertise between players and coaches
  • The agreement also includes plans for talent-discovery networks, cultural-exchange events, and friendly matches between Japanese and Saudi clubs

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League and Japan’s Professional Football League have signed an agreement to cooperate on ways to develop the sport in both countries.

To achieve this they will work with teams in both leagues and collaborate on ways to achieve sustainable growth of the sport, enhance the standard of football, facilitate the exchange of experiences and resources between players and coaches, and establish an effective system for communication about technical and administrative matters.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of a Saudi-Japanese business forum by the vice chair of the SPL’s board of directors, Saad Allazeez, and Yoshokaze Ninomura of the J.League.

Allazeez said the agreement reflects the SPL’s transformation strategy and added: “This partnership will open new horizons for exchanging experiences and promoting the continuous development in the field of football between the two countries.

“We look forward to working with our counterparts in Japan to raise the level of the game at all levels.”

The agreement also includes support for the continued growth and development of SPL and J.League through workshops and conferences to consider ideas for strengthening football infrastructure, cooperation in talent-discovery networks to help identify and nurture stars of the future, cultural-exchange events that celebrate the diverse cultures of the two countries and enhance the global appeal of football, and friendly matches between Japanese and Saudi clubs.


Kanno brace sends Saudi Arabia through while Morocco, Palestine stay on course

Updated 05 December 2025
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Kanno brace sends Saudi Arabia through while Morocco, Palestine stay on course

  • Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros

DOHA: Saudi Arabia booked their place in the FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Comoros on Friday, while Morocco remained on course for the knockout stages despite being held by Oman.

Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros and finish top of their group.

The debutants had threatened an early breakthrough when Affane Said Djambae headed wide in the 20th minute, a miss they would rue.

Deep into stoppage time, a goalkeeping error allowed Salem Al-Dawsari to tee up Kanno for a powerful header, before the pair combined again shortly after the break for Saudi Arabia’s second.

Comoros briefly reignited hopes through Ibroihim Djoudja, but Al-Dawsari sealed the win with a superb solo effort.

Earlier, ten-man Morocco played out a scoreless draw with Oman in Al-Rayyan to retain top spot in Group B.

Captain Abderrazzaq Hamdallah went closest before being sent off early in the second half, but Oman were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.

Thursday’s action saw late drama once again shape Group A.

Palestine struck in the closing stages for a second straight game to earn a crucial 2-2 draw against Tunisia, leaving them level with Syria at the top of the standings.

Zaid Qunbar, who scored the equalizer, was named player of the match.

Syria also left it late, with Omar Khribin’s stoppage-time goal earning a 1-1 draw with hosts Qatar and keeping qualification finely balanced heading into the final group fixtures.