DOHA: Saudi footballer Hassan Altambakti took part in special exercises with the team’s medical staff because he was suffering leg pain, as the Saudi national team trained on Tuesday ahead their third and final match in the group stage of the Asian Cup.
Meanwhile, teammate Nasser Al-Dawsari took part in a group training session, having fully recovered from muscle pain in his leg.
The Green Falcons will face Thailand on Thursday at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar. They have already qualified for the knockout stages, thanks to a 2-1 defeat of Oman in their opening game last Tuesday and a 2-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Sunday. Thailand are sitting second in the group on 4 points
Tuesday’s training session took place at the Aspire Dome, also in Al-Rayyan, under the supervision of coach Roberto Mancini. After a warm-up session, the players completed various tactical exercises before finishing up their training with a stretching workout. The Saudis will conclude their preparations with a training session on Wednesday.
Hassan Altambakti treated for leg pain ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup clash with Thailand
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Hassan Altambakti treated for leg pain ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup clash with Thailand
- Meanwhile, teammate Nasser Al-Dawsari took part in a group training session, having fully recovered from muscle pain in his leg
- The Saudis, who have already qualified for the knockout stage, will face Thailand in their third and final group stage game on Thursday
Pioli quits as coach of Saudi side Al-Nassr
- No official reason was given for the split
- “We would like to thank Mr.Pioli and his staff for their work last season,” said Al-Nassr
PARIS: Al-Nassr have parted company with their Italian coach Stefano Pioli, the Saudi side announced on Wednesday.
No official reason was given for the split after only nine months in the post but Pioli’s name has been linked with joining Fiorentina for a second spell in charge of the Serie A side.
“Al-Nassr announce that Mr.Pioli and his staff no longer coach the first team,” Cristiano Ronaldo’s club posted on social media.
“We would like to thank Mr.Pioli and his staff for their work last season,” added Al-Nassr, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League.
Pioli, who guided AC Milan to the 2022 Serie A crown, only joined Al-Nassr in September 2024.
Prior to his near five-year stint at AC Milan, the 59-year-old coached several other Italian sides including Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Lazio and Bologna.
Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona
- Crucial showdown is set to take place this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
- In a positive development, Muhannad Al-Saad has returned to full training
RIYADH: The Saudi football national team resumed training today in San Diego as preparations intensify for their upcoming quarterfinal match against Mexico in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The crucial showdown is set to take place this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
On the field, head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups. The first group included those who started in the recent match against Trinidad and Tobago. They underwent recovery exercises at the fitness center.
The second group, consisting of the remaining players, held their training session at San Diego Wave facilities. The session began with warm-ups, followed by possession training, finishing exercises, and concluded with stretching routines.
In a positive development, Muhannad Al-Saad returned to full training with the group.
The national team will continue its preparations with a closed training session scheduled for Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. (San Diego time) at the Performance Center training grounds.
Green Falcons arrive in San Diego ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Mexico
- The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage
- Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city
SAN DIEGO: The Saudi Arabian national football team touched down in San Diego on Tuesday morning as they prepare for their high-stakes CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal showdown against Mexico on Saturday.
The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage in a debut Gold Cup campaign that has seen them reach the knockout rounds at the first time of asking.
Herve Renard’s side finished second in Group D behind hosts the US, having secured crucial results including a pivotal draw against Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend.
The upcoming clash with Group A winners Mexico at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is expected to draw a large crowd.
Upon arrival in San Diego, Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city.
The team is scheduled to reconvene at their training base later on Tuesday evening.
Preparations for the quarterfinal will intensify on Wednesday, with a closed training session planned for 6:00 p.m. local time.
Saudi Arabia, invited as a guest nation for this edition of the Gold Cup, now seek to upset nine-time champions Mexico in their pursuit of an unprecedented semifinal berth.
Saudi Arabia conclude preparations ahead of decisive Gold Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago
- A win against the Caribbean side would guarantee the Green Falcons a place in the knockout stage
LAS VEGAS: Saudi Arabia’s national football team have completed final preparations ahead of their crucial CONCACAF Gold Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago on Monday.
The Green Falcons trained at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where the match — which kicks off in the early hours of the morning in Saudi Arabia — will be played.
The training session was led by head coach Herve Renard, while midfielder Muhannad Al-Saad continued his rehabilitation program under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.
Saudi Arabia sit second in Group D, having lost narrowly to the US and beaten Haiti in their previous matches.
A win against Trinidad and Tobago would guarantee the Green Falcons a place in the knockout stage.
A draw could still be enough to progress, but only if Haiti fail to upset group leaders US in the other final-round fixture.
Acclaim for Bounou, Al-Dawsari as world reacts to Al-Hilal’s performance against Real Madrid
- New coach Simone Inzaghi’s tactics praised after Saudi club’s impressive 1-1 draw in FIFA Club World Cup
- It was on social media, however, that the impact of Al-Hilal’s performance reverberated most
DUBAI: An impressive 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the FIFA World Club Cup has drawn praise from football fans and media alike, with goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou and captain Salem Al-Dawsari receiving particular attention.
Al-Dawsari caused a stir among the media, who recalled his heroics in scoring Saudi Arabia’s winner against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while Bounou was a key player for Morocco who reached the semifinals in the same tournament.
There was also recognition of the role played by Simone Inzaghi, the new Al-Hilal coach, who took over the reins following his departure from UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan.
“For Al-Hilal, many foreign players who now play for the club have experience at top teams and stages of tournaments, like Manchester City and World Cup semifinals,” wrote the Washington Post after the encounter at Hard Rock Stadium in Washington.
“Inzaghi has made a big step after guiding Inter Milan to two Champions League finals, now stepping out of his comfort zone.”
Al Jazeera said Real Madrid had labored to the 1-1 result draw against a spirited Al-Hilal and that “Simone Inzaghi’s men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents.”
The BBC compared the Al-Hilal coach’s debut to that of opposite number Xabi Alonso, saying: “Inzaghi will likely be the more satisfied, with his unfancied Al-Hilal side impressing and threatening to deliver a remarkable result even without a prolific marksman of their own, given Aleksandar Mitrovic was ruled out through injury.”
It was on social media, however, that the impact of Al-Hilal’s performance reverberated most.
Many commenters highlighted the challenges posed by 33-year-old Al-Dawsari to Real Madrid debutant Trent Alexander Arnold, who was involved in one of the most high-profile transfers of the summer when he joined the Saudi club from Liverpool just weeks ago.
“I was raving about Salem Al-Dawsari during the Arabian Gulf Cup as one of the best players I have ever seen. An unbelievable talent and Real Madrid found that out for themselves,” journalist David Rhys Williams wrote on X.
Seb Stafford-Bloor of The Athletic echoed the sentiments in his own tweet: “Salem Al-Dawsari is a super player — and he’s had an excellent half. Causing all kinds of problems down Real’s right.”
One user said: “Trent getting dunked on by Salem Al-Dawsari,” while another commented: “Trent getting cooked by Al-Dawsari.” Others posted memes of the Al-Hilal player’s success in the head-to-head battle.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Bounou after a stoppage-time penalty save against Frederico Valverde secured a precious point for Al-Hilal.
“Fede has a very strong shot but he does not look at the keeper. Bounou moved early and could reach it. Bounou is good at penalties,” said Courtois.
On X, @Medias24, with over 180,000 followers, said: “A world-renowned drill specialist, Yassine Bounou, once again demonstrated his instincts against Real Madrid. Marca praises him, FIFA celebrates him, and the numbers confirm: the Moroccan goalkeeper has become a global icon.”
Meanwhile Moroccan football account @MoroccanGrinta proudly tweeted: “Penalty in the 90th minute against Real Madrid? Not a problem when you have Yassine Bounou. The Atlas Lion delivers a masterclass and secures a crucial point for Al-Hilal.”
Sports News Africa posted a video of Bounou’s save and said: “We’ll let you watch yet another save from the best African goalkeeper in history against the GREAT Real Madrid. Yassine Bounou…”
