Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh targets striking success with Aberdeen

Palestine international Oday Dabbagh’s, right, loan to Aberdeen comes with an option to buy in the region of $1m that can be triggered at the end of the season. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 13 February 2025
Follow

Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh targets striking success with Aberdeen

  • After stints in Kuwait, Portugal and Belgium, the 26-year-old forward has joined the Scottish Premiership club on a loan deal with an option to buy

AMSTERDAM: Scoring goals is arguably the hardest task in football, but for new Aberdeen signing and Palestine international Oday Dabbagh that has been the easy part.

His first professional goal came at his hometown club Hilal Al-Quds three weeks after he turned 17. Nine years later, Dabbagh’s performances have landed him a spot in the Scottish Premiership via Kuwait, Portugal and Belgium.

A difficult six months saw Dabbagh limited to an average of 32 minutes across 15 league appearances for Charleroi this season. When he netted his first goal of the campaign against Standard Liege in November he earned a point for his club and the ire of his own fans after making a shushing gesture towards them.

In the aftermath, Palestine’s all-time leading scorer was limited to just 36 minutes in four appearances and shortly after all parties agreed that a change of scenery would be best.

The loan to Aberdeen, engineered in the last days of the winter transfer window, comes with an option to buy in the region of $1m that can be triggered at the end of the season. The forward’s exploits were well known to the club’s head of recruitment, Nuno de Almeida, who was at Rio Ave and watched the then-unknown Palestinian’s goals lift Arouca from the relegation zone to Europe in just two seasons.

Commenting on his move to the Scottish Premiership, Dabbagh said: “I am very happy to be joining AFC and look forward to meeting my teammates, the coaches and people around the club. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am hopeful I will repay the trust everyone has shown in me with good performances for the team.”

The 26-year-old has faced plenty of adversity since leaving Hilal Al-Quds in 2019. A turbulent first year abroad in Kuwait saw him suffer a broken collarbone, contract COVID-19 and play for three different clubs. The scar tissue from that time laid the foundation for success as his sophomore campaign saw him lead Al-Arabi to their first league title in two decades. His parent club, Al-Qadsia, could only watch as a player they deemed surplus to requirements mere months earlier won the competition’s Golden Boot.

Dabbagh’s resilience was further tested in Arouca when visa issues caused his debut to be delayed by several weeks. It made little difference, with the player finding the net on his third appearance for the club after just 34 minutes on the pitch. A haul of four goals and an assist in his first season netted four points for the club, which escaped the relegation playoffs by a meager two points.

In his second year at Arouca, a contractual dispute hampered an otherwise fine season that concluded with 11 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions. Dabbagh signed a pre-contract with Charleroi in February 2023 and was promptly frozen out of Arouca’s squad.

Dabbagh’s response was once again emphatic. He enjoyed his best spell with Charleroi early in the 2023/24 season, with five goal involvements over the first 10 match days.

Aberdeen FC supporters will hope lightning can strike twice. Dabbagh leaves Charleroi feeling hard done by the club’s decisions over the last year; he had not envisioned a substitute’s role after finishing the previous season as the club’s top scorer.

On paper, the move to Aberdeen is a match made in heaven. The player needs minutes and the club needs goals, scoring just one in their last eight Scottish Premiership matches. The Dons have been in a malaise stretching back to last November, wasting a near-perfect start to their season — they collected 31/33 points in their first 11 matches.

“Oday is a clinical finisher who has an exceptional work ethic and his combative qualities will be a real asset for us,” Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told the club’s official website.

“He has a strong personality both on and off the pitch and we believe he will be a positive addition, adding another dimension to our attacking options as we work to get back to winning ways.”

In spite of his struggles at Charleroi, Dabbagh has achieved a lot in the past 14 months. Dabbagh joined elite company in 2023, becoming only the 10th Asian player to score more than 100 goals for club and country before turning 25. The list of luminaries features Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia), Abdul Kadir (Indonesia), Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia), Cha Bum-Kun (South Korea), Fandi Ahmad (Singapore), Bader Al-Mutawa, Bashar Abdullah (both Kuwait), Ali Mabkhout (UAE) and Omar Al-Somah (Syria).

Dabbagh could debut for Aberdeen at Dundee United on Saturday, when a good start will send expectations soaring.

Six goals for Palestine in 2024 helped propel the team to new heights at the Asian Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. If Dabbagh can get the game time he craves at Aberdeen in 2025, it could result in a return to form and trouble for Palestine’s Group B rivals.


De Bruyne ‘surprised’ over Man City exit

Updated 20 April 2025
Follow

De Bruyne ‘surprised’ over Man City exit

  • Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he was “a bit surprised” to be told his glittering Manchester City career will finish at the end of this season

LONDON: Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he was “a bit surprised” to be told his glittering Manchester City career will finish at the end of this season.
De Bruyne recently announced he will leave the Etihad Stadium once the current campaign is over, bringing the curtain down on a memorable era in Manchester for the Belgian midfielder.
The 33-year-old arrived from German club Wolfsburg in 2015 and has been instrumental in City’s incredible success during boss Pep Guardiola’s reign.
De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the 2023 Champions League — which capped an incredible treble-winning season.
Guardiola hinted it was his decision to end De Bruyne’s stay after the playmaker’s struggles with injuries and inconsistent form over the last two seasons.
City have dipped dramatically this term, surrendering their four-year spell as champions and were reduced to focussing on the battle to qualify for the Champions League.
But De Bruyne admitted he was shocked not to receive a new contract offer because he believes he can still shine at the highest level.
“I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision,” he said after City’s 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.
“Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions.
“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they take another decision.”
De Bruyne said he has not made any decisions about his future as he is concentrating on the race to secure a top-five spot to extend City’s run in the Champions League into a 15th successive season.
He has already been linked with moves to Major League Soccer in the United States but he hasn’t ruled out staying in the Premier League or joining a major European club.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give. Obviously I know I’m not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job,” he said.
“I’m open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I’m looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family.
“I like to compete. That’s what I feel so I can’t say that I want to quit because I still feel that whenever I’m in training I want to beat the guys.
“I feel like I’m doing really well and that’s why I’ve also played a lot lately.”
De Bruyne applauded off at Goodison Park after Saturday’s win, with his performance a bright spot in another spluttering City display.
“It’s something really rare to come out and get an applause from another team so I just want to say thank you to them. I think they appreciate the way that I play,” he said.


Saudi footballers face Uzbekistan in AFC U17 Asian Cup final

Saudi Arabia finished second in Group A with six points from three matches (via@SaudiArabianFootballFederation)
Updated 20 April 2025
Follow

Saudi footballers face Uzbekistan in AFC U17 Asian Cup final

  • Saudi Arabia began the tournament with a 2-0 win over China in the first round

TAIF: The Saudi Arabia U-17 national team will look to end a 37-year wait for continental glory when they face Uzbekistan in the final of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup on Sunday.

Kick-off at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taif is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time.

The Green Falcons are aiming to capture their third title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1985 and 1988. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan are seeking a second championship after first winning the tournament in 2012.

Saudi Arabia finished second in Group A during the tournament’s opening phase, collecting six points from three matches — three points behind group winners Uzbekistan. China placed third with three points, while Thailand finished bottom without a point.

The Saudis began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over China and a 3-1 win against Thailand, before falling 3-0 to Uzbekistan in the final group match. In the knockout stages, Saudi Arabia edged Japan 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the quarterfinals, and again triumphed on penalties against South Korea in the semifinals, winning 3-1 following a 1-1 stalemate.

Uzbekistan dominated the group stage, recording three consecutive victories: 4-1 against Thailand, 2-1 over China, and 3-0 against Saudi Arabia.

They carried their strong form into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over the UAE and secured a place in the final after a convincing 3-0 semifinal victory against North Korea.

Both Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan have already secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. They will be joined by fellow Asian qualifiers Japan, the UAE, Indonesia, South Korea, North Korea, and Tajikistan.


Top F1 qualifiers face intense competition in Jeddah

Updated 20 April 2025
Follow

Top F1 qualifiers face intense competition in Jeddah

Jeddah: After Max Verstappen secured pole position in the top qualifiers for the F1 Saudi Arabian GP on Saturday night, the leading three drivers said that the competition was very intense for Sunday’s race.

Speaking to the media during the post-qualifying conference, Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), and George Russell (Mercedes) discussed how optimistic they were for Sunday’s race and other challenges.

“I am very happy,” Verstappen said. “I definitely didn’t expect to be on pole here after FP3 as well and looking at how the whole weekend was. We made some final changes, and it was a lot more enjoyable to drive.”

Speaking about Sunday’s race, Verstappen said: “I think in the race it will be tough to keep them behind, but we’re going to give it a good go.”

“It is much better than what we had in Bahrain, of course. And, yeah, let’s see what we can do tomorrow in the race,” he added.

Russell said: “If Oscar gets into the lead, you’ll probably see a repeat of Bahrain. If we stay in the order we qualified, I think it could be a tight race until the pit stops.”

Meanwhile, Piastri said that it would be a long and tough race. “I’m happy with the job I did,” he said. “I think it was playing catch-up a little bit through the first part of qualifying and then, yeah, that last lap felt more or less like the best I could have done. So, you know, I think Max has done a good job.”

He added: “Yes, we will fight hard for the final. I think our pace is good. It’s going to be a tough race and the tires are a bit softer than last year, so we’ll see if that plays to our advantage.”

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is known for its high-speed turns, creating challenges for drivers. All three top qualifiers emphasized the need for rhythm and precision on the track.


Lewandowski injury confirmed in blow to Barca quadruple bid

Updated 20 April 2025
Follow

Lewandowski injury confirmed in blow to Barca quadruple bid

  • Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski was diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Sunday and is set to miss the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semifinal according to Spanish media reports

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski was diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Sunday and is set to miss the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semifinal according to Spanish media reports.
The 36-year-old Polish forward, Barcelona’s top goalscorer with 40 goals across all competitions, came off during his team’s 4-3 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
“Tests carried out on Sunday have confirmed that first-team player Robert Lewandowski has a semitendinosus injury in his left thigh,” said Barcelona in a statement, without specifying how long he would be sidelined for.
Spanish media reported Lewandowski could be out for three weeks, meaning he would not be available next Saturday as Barcelona face Real Madrid in the Copa final in Seville.
The La Liga leaders also host Inter Milan on April 30 in the Champions League semifinal first leg, and visit the Italians on May 6.
Lewandowski is set to miss league games against Mallorca on Tuesday and Valladolid on May 3, with a potential return against Real Madrid on May 11, a match which could decide the title race.
Barcelona, who won the Spanish Super Cup in January, are chasing a potential quadruple and are in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2019.
Coach Hansi Flick has used Ferran Torres through the middle as a replacement for Lewandowski before, and has also experimented with Dani Olmo operating as a false nine.


Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

Updated 20 April 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

  • Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to do so

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia would be ready and willing to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034 if FIFA accepts a controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48, according to the kingdom’s sports minister.
South America’s CONMEBOL has officially suggested staging the centenary 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with 64 teams but the idea has been opposed by some other continental confederations.
Next year’s tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will have 48 countries participating, up from 32 in 2022.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to an increase in the numbers for 2034.
“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it,” he said.
He pointed to the infrastructure already in place for Islamic pilgrims, with four million people attending Makkah for Umrah during Ramadan this year and five million expected for the Hajj.
The global football governing body officially announced Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup in December.
The bid book pledged 15 stadiums, new or refurbished, by 2032 and which are expected to be completed with help of migrant labor.
Al-Faisal said worker safety was of the highest priority and Saudi organizers were talking regularly with FIFA and 2022 hosts and neighbors Qatar, the first World Cup in the region, to learn from their experience.
“We’ve had more than 100 international events so far. We’ve had people come from all over the world to attend these sporting events. And everyone’s happy with the hospitality, the setup, the experience that they get,” he added.