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.


Al-Ahli win again to climb to second in Saudi Pro League table

Updated 25 January 2026
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Al-Ahli win again to climb to second in Saudi Pro League table

  • The reigning Asian champions continued their recent improved domestic form with a 3-0 win at Neom

DUBAI: Al-Ahli on Saturday night continued their hot streak of form to climb to second in the Saudi Pro League table with a comfortable 3-0 away win against 10-man Neom.

The latest victory means the reigning AFC Champions League winners have now won seven league matches in a row and sit on 40 points from 17 matches, four points behind leaders Al-Hilal and three ahead of third-placed Al-Nassr. However, the two Riyadh teams are yet to play in Matchday 18.

After a scoreless first half, Al-Ahli took the lead from an Ivan Toney penalty on 55 minutes before Neom were left with a mountain to climb after the defender Khalifa Al-Dawsari was sent off six minutes later.

Riyad Mahrez and Enzo Millot confirmed a dominant win for Al-Ahli with two quick-fire strikes in the 64th and 67th minutes. Neom’s defeat sees them drop to 10th in the standings.

Earlier in the day, struggling Al-Shabab’s troubles continued when they could only manage a 0-0 draw against 10-man Khaleej Club, leaving the clubs in 14th and eighth respectively in the table.

In Saturday’s other fixture, two second-half goals by Khalid Al-Ghannam helped Ettifaq to a 2-1 win against Al-Kholood in Ar Rass, after Ramiro Enrique had given the home team a 16th-minute lead.

The win sees Ettifaq rise to sixth in the table while Al-Kholood remain in 12th.