Saudi clubs look to shine at 2023 King Salman Club Cup in Abha

Al-Shabab return to competitive action fresh from their training camp in Kaprun, Austria. (Twitter/@AlShabab_EN)
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Updated 26 July 2023
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Saudi clubs look to shine at 2023 King Salman Club Cup in Abha

  • Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr will be among the favorites in the competition, also known as the Arab Club Champions Cup
  • Al-Shabab have yet to sign any big names and so have been watching from the sidelines while some of their domestic rivals added world-class talents to their squads

The start of a new football season moves a lot closer this week as the King Salman Club Cup, also known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, kicks off in the Saudi city of Abha on Thursday.

This year’s event is perhaps the most eagerly awaited in the tournament’s history, as it will give fans across the region a first look at some very famous international players in competitive action.

The group stage features four groups of four teams, with the top two from each progressing to the knockout phase. Among the 16 teams gathering in the southwest of the Kingdom are three that have been busy recently strengthening their squads and making headlines.

On the opening day, the eyes of many will be on Saudi champions Al-Ittihad, who won this tournament in 2005, when they were all-conquering in Asia, and reached the final in 2020.

The Tigers have been busy since lifting the Saudi Pro League trophy on the final day of the season at the end of May. Most notable was their early capture of reigning FIFA Ballon D’Or holder, Karim Benzema, as the French striker said goodbye to Real Madrid and hello to Jeddah and coach Nuno Santo.

There have been concerns about the fitness of N’Golo Kante in midfield but the former Chelsea star looks set to start on Thursday. Then there is Portuguese winger Jota, who arrives in Jeddah after a spell with Scottish champions Celtic.

Al-Ittihad’s opponents in their opening game are Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and the game should be a fine test for the Tunisian side. They are no strangers to big international tournaments, and have won this one three times and finished second twice, a record unequaled by any other team.

Rounding out Group A we have Club Sportif Sfaxien, also from Tunisia, and Iraq’s Al-Shorta, who will also be looking forward to taking on the Jeddah giants. It would be a surprise, however, if Santo and his talented team do not make it into the last eight of the competition.

Also in action on the opening day are Al-Hilal and this is an important competition for the 18-time Saudi Arabian champions, who have lifted this trophy twice though not yet in this century.

After finishing third in the league last season, the Riyadh giants have strengthened their squad in the past few weeks. In came Kalidou Koulibaly, from English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea, and Ruben Neves, from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Portuguese midfielder had been linked with moves to Barcelona and Manchester United, who were also interested in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. Ultimately, the Serbian also opted to join Al-Hilal.

Those new signings are three very talented players who will be looking to help take the Saudi club to the next level — and surely into the knockout phase of this tournament.

The Blues kick off with a clash against Al-Ahli Tripoli and it would be a major shock if the Libyans manage to get a result against Al-Hilal, who have Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus back in charge. Fans will be expecting three points from the opener but also aware of tougher tests to come in the subsequent group games against Moroccan powerhouses Wydad AC and Al-Sadd of Qatar. Jesus knows the importance of getting fans on side early and a good showing here could be the perfect way to do it.

Group C is fascinating as it contains two Saudi teams. Al-Nassr finished second in the league last season but their first-choice squad, including Cristiano Ronaldo, are currently in Japan, where they drew 0-0 with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday and will take on Inter Milan on Thursday.

The King Salman Club Cup will therefore give some of the fringe and younger players a really useful chance to gain experience. Their opener is against Al-Shabab, and their Riyadh rivals might have a point to prove.

Al-Shabab, who finished fourth in the league last season, have yet to sign any big names and so have been watching from the sidelines while some of their domestic rivals added world-class talents to their squads.

Still, they will be expected to beat this second-string version of Al-Nassr, and if they can go all the way it would be perfect preparation for the season ahead — as well as a reminder that they are one of the giants of Saudi Arabian football.

Indeed, it could be said that Al-Shabab have more motivation to get their hands of this trophy than any of the 16 who will battle it out.

But then again, there are huge incentives for clubs from elsewhere, too. Proud clubs such as Wydad, Tunis and Egyptian side Zamalek, for example, who have big fan bases, have won African titles and are no strangers to competing on a global stage. In recent months and weeks however, they have had to sit back and watch rivals from Riyadh and Jeddah become the focus of the regional football scene. A few wins over Saudi opposition would therefore be considered very satisfactory results in Egypt, Morocco and elsewhere in the Arab world.

Everyone is aware, however, that while the spotlight will largely be on Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal in the coming days, lifting the trophy will not define any team’s season and will not protect coaches from criticism, or worse, if league results go badly.

By the same token, falling at the first hurdle will be quickly forgotten if wins are racked up in the league. Still, early silverware would be a great start for the Saudi-based stars, old and new.


Birthday boy Djokovic avenges Arnaldi loss in Geneva

Updated 23 May 2025
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Birthday boy Djokovic avenges Arnaldi loss in Geneva

GENEVA: Novak Djokovic overcame soggy conditions on his 38th birthday to beat Matteo Arnaldi on Thursday and reach the Geneva Open semifinals in a tune-up event for Roland Garros.
The former world number one retrieved a break in the second set to claim a 6-4, 6-4 win over the 39th-ranked Italian who dumped him out at the first hurdle in Madrid last month.
Djokovic is hunting the 100th title of his career on the eve of the French Open having not won a tournament since capturing Olympic gold in Paris last August.
“It’s great to be in the semifinals again. Last year I played the semifinals. Hopefully this year I can go at least a step further. That’s the goal,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic, who received a wild card to play in Geneva after skipping Rome, will meet British qualifier Cameron Norrie for a place in Saturday’s final.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had not won a match on clay this season after also losing his Monte Carlo opener at the start of April to Alejandro Tabilo.
A single break early in the first set enabled Djokovic to take control, but the sixth-ranked Serbian had to rally from 4-1 down in the second.
He drew audible gasps from the crowd when he grabbed his right knee after stretching for a shot in the fifth game.
But Djokovic, who had surgery last year to repair a torn meniscus suffered at the French Open, quickly rebounded and let out a mighty roar as he broke to go 5-4 ahead before putting away Arnaldi.
He said an angry outburst after dropping serve helped him reset as he won the final five games.
“I think I’m playing really, really good tennis,” said Djokovic, who was presented on court with a chocolate cake topped with sparklers after his victory.
“Today it was a lot of tension on the court. A straight-sets win but it was much closer than maybe the score indicates.
“I was 4-1 down in the second. Somehow after that racquet breaking I didn’t lose a game and kind of found my optimal state and balance, mentally and emotionally.”
Norrie ousted Australian fifth seed Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in the day’s last quarter-final.
Hubert Hurkacz put out top seed Taylor 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) earlier and will play Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner in the other semifinal.
The 128th-ranked Ofner came from behind to beat fourth seed Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.


Raphinha extends Barca deal until 2028

Updated 22 May 2025
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Raphinha extends Barca deal until 2028

  • “Barcelona and Raphinha have reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract,” said the Catalan giants
  • Raphinha, a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or, has scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists

BARCELONA: Barcelona winger Raphinha signed a contract extension until 2028 on Thursday after a spectacular season.

The Brazilian, whose previous deal was set to expire in 2027, was vital as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

“Barcelona and Raphinha have reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract, which will link him to the club until June 30, 2028,” said the Catalan giants in a statement.

Raphinha, a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or, has scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 matches across all competitions.

The 28-year-old is the joint top goalscorer in the Champions League with 13, but Barcelona were knocked out in a thrilling semifinal tie against Inter Milan.

He netted a hat-trick in Barca’s group stage win over Bayern Munich and a brace in the recent Clasico win over Real Madrid which took Barca to the verge of their La Liga conquest.

Raphinha’s contract renewal follows coach Hansi Flick’s on Wednesday, with the German penning a new deal until 2027.

Teenage winger Lamine Yamal, 17, is also expected to sign a new contract in the coming weeks.

His agent Jorge Mendes told reporters “he will renew (his deal) soon,” after having lunch with Yamal on the outskirts of Barcelona on Thursday.

Raphinha and Yamal have been devastating on the flanks for Barcelona, either side of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Catalans have scored 99 goals in 37 La Liga matches and are hoping to pass a century on Sunday when they visit Athletic Bilbao in the last match of the season.

Raphinha arrived in 2022 from Leeds United for around £55 million ($74 million) and helped Barcelona win La Liga in his first season.

However he came close to leaving the club after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, but was convinced to stay by Flick.


Marsh ton powers Lucknow to IPL upset over Gujarat

Updated 22 May 2025
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Marsh ton powers Lucknow to IPL upset over Gujarat

  • Mitchell Marsh smashed 117 off 64 balls studded with 10 fours and eight sixes to help Lucknow post a formidable 235-2 off 20 overs
  • Gujarat, who have already qualified for the playoffs, could only make 202-9 in reply at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Mitchell Marsh struck his first Indian Premier League century as Lucknow Super Giants pulled off an upset 33-run win against table-toppers Gujarat Titans on Thursday.

Marsh smashed 117 off 64 balls studded with 10 fours and eight sixes to help Lucknow post a formidable 235-2 off 20 overs.

Gujarat, who have already qualified for the playoffs, could only make 202-9 in reply at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“We gave 15-20 runs extra. If we’d stopped them at 210-220 it would’ve been better, that was a huge difference,” said Gujarat skipper Shubman Gill.

“Getting momentum back will be key in the next game.”

Lucknow were playing for pride after being eliminated from the playoffs.

Gujarat lost in-form opener and the tournament’s highest run-getter Sai Sudharsan for 21, caught by Aiden Markram off Will O’Rourke, who ended with figures of 3-27.

Sudharsan’s opening partner Gill looked in good touch before he was caught in the deep by Abdul Samad off Avesh Khan for 35.

Jos Buttler (33) tried to steady the innings but was dismissed by Akash Singh in the 10th over.

Shahrukh Khan (57) and Sherfane Rutherford (38) revived hopes of a comeback but O’Rourke took two wickets in the 17th over to seal Gujarat’s fate.

“We had a lot of fun out there, T20 is fickle,” said O’Rourke.

Earlier, Marsh combined with Markram to give Lucknow a steady start, putting on 91 runs for the opening wicket after Gujarat won the toss and elected to bowl.

Markram (36) hit fellow South African Kagiso Rabada for two sixes in a row before being caught by Shahrukh near the boundary off Sai Kishore.

Marsh continued his onslaught at the other end, hitting Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan for 25 runs in his first over of the game.

The right-hander, who raced to his century off just 56 balls, was finally caught by a diving Rutherford off paceman Arshad Khan for 117.

Nicholas Pooran also impressed, making an unbeaten 56 runs off 27 balls with four fours and five sixes.

Lucknow’s struggling skipper Rishabh Pant made 16 not out.

The IPL resumed last Saturday after being paused due to a deadly conflict between India and Pakistan, forcing overseas players to revisit their season plans.


Pulisic leads list of US absentees for Gold Cup

Updated 22 May 2025
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Pulisic leads list of US absentees for Gold Cup

  • Pulisic plans to take a break following a demanding season with his Serie A club
  • Fellow Milan midfielder Yunus Musah and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson were also left out of the squad

ROME: AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic will miss next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, leading a group of notable absentees from Mauricio Pochettino’s 27-man US squad announced on Thursday.

Pulisic plans to take a break following a demanding season with his Serie A club, where he featured in 49 matches across all competitions, tallying up 17 goals and 12 assists, while dealing with some minor injuries.

“Christian and his team approached the federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break,” US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said in a statement.

“We made the collective decision that this is the right moment for him to get the rest he needs. The objective is to ensure he’s fully prepared to perform at the highest level next season.”

Fellow Milan midfielder Yunus Musah and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson were also left out of the squad, while Juventus pair Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, along with Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna, will be unavailable due to their clubs’ participation in the Club World Cup in the US which starts on June 15.

Defenders Alex Freeman and Quinn Sullivan, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and forward Damion Down have all received their first senior call-ups.

“As we continue preparations for the World Cup, this is a fantastic opportunity to work with this group of players for an extended period and it’s important we take advantage of every moment,” Argentine manager Pochettino said.

“Of course, we want to win and to perform in a very good way. These players have earned the chance to compete for our fans and to show their quality and mentality.”

The US host Turkiye on June 7 before facing Switzerland three days later, with both friendlies serving as warm-ups ahead of the Gold Cup which runs from June 14 to July 6 in the US and Canada.


PSG sporting director Campos extends contract to 2030

Updated 22 May 2025
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PSG sporting director Campos extends contract to 2030

  • Campos “will oversee the sports strategy of the whole QSI group“
  • His existing deal was due to expire at the end of this season

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos has extended his contract with the French giants in a boost to the club ahead of the upcoming Champions League final.

In a statement issued on Thursday, PSG’s owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) announced that Campos had renewed his contract “for an additional five years until 2030.”

Campos, who is from Portugal and began working with PSG in an official role of football adviser in 2022, “will oversee the sports strategy of the whole QSI group.”

That includes Braga, who finished fourth in this season’s Portuguese league and in whom QSI holds a minority stake.

Campos’s existing deal was due to expire at the end of this season and the announcement is welcome news for PSG as they prepare for the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.

Before that they face Reims in the French Cup final on Saturday as they bid to complete a clean sweep of the domestic honors in France for the second season running.

Campos previously worked at Monaco and at Lille and has overseen the successful squad rebuild at PSG following the shift away from the superstar approach that led to the signings of Neymar and Lionel Messi.