Moussa Diaby joins Al-Ittihad from Aston Villa

Moussa Diaby joins Al-Ittihad from Aston Villa
Diaby is expected to boost Al-Ittihad’s attacking threat. (Photos: Ittihad)
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Updated 25 July 2024
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Moussa Diaby joins Al-Ittihad from Aston Villa

Moussa Diaby joins Al-Ittihad from Aston Villa
  • Moussa Diaby joins fellow Frenchmen Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante in Jeddah

RIYADH: Frenchman Moussa Diaby has joined Al-Ittihad, the club announced on Thursday.
The Jeddah team posted an announcement video with the player wearing Ittihad’s black and yellow jersey.
He will join the Tigers on a five-year contract after successfully passing a medical exam in Alicante, Spain, a club statement said.
“Hello Tigers, I am here,” Diaby announces in the video, holding a vintage rotary phone.
“I am thrilled to join Al-Ittihad and be part of a project that aims to build a strong team reflecting the club’s rich history and values. I look forward to collaborating with my new teammates to achieve victories and bring joy to our dedicated fans,” said the Frenchman.
“Diaby has an impressive track record, having played in the top leagues of France, Germany, and England, where he has showcased his talent and skill as a winger,” the statement read.
Domingos Oliveira, the CEO of Ittihad, said: “Our sports committee identified the need to strengthen the winger position with an exceptional player, and we are confident that Moussa Diaby is one of the top players who stand out globally in this role.”
The 25-year-old midfielder played 54 games for English Premier League side Aston Villa, including 25 appearances last season during their impressive fourth place finish.
In Spain, the player was welcomed by the team’s sporting director, Ramon Planes, and introduced to his new teammates and the technical and administrative staff.
He joins fellow Frenchmen Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante in the west coast city.
The left-footed Diaby, a pacy and versatile player, is not known for scoring lots of goals but his attacking threat will be an advantage for the Tigers.
Ittihad had a disappointing season last year with a fifth place finish, after winning the Saudi Pro League title a year earlier.
The Jeddah side has brought in veteran French player Laurent Blanc as coach to boost their chances against the other big three clubs in the SPL: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli.
Ittihad are currently in pre-season training in Spain and will play Seville on Friday.


Ittihad’s late show maintains title challenge

Ittihad’s late show maintains title challenge
Updated 14 March 2025
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Ittihad’s late show maintains title challenge

Ittihad’s late show maintains title challenge
  • Tigers 7 points clear at top of Saudi Pro League
  • On course for 10th title, but Hilal still in the race

Al-Ittihad left it very late to defeat Al-Riyadh 2-1 on Thursday to move seven points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League and stay on course for a 10th title.

For a long time in Jeddah, it looked like being a frustrating evening for the hosts who had two goals disallowed. In the end, however, the Tigers took a step toward a second league title since 2009.

Al-Hilal can, however, reduce the lead to four points if they win their game in hand on Saturday against Al-Taawoun.

After just seven minutes, Karim Benzema had the ball in the net after an effort from Steven Bergwijn had bounced back into play but it was ruled that the Dutchman had been offside.

Al-Ittihad continued to push forward but the home fans had to wait until 10 minutes after the restart to see the deadlock finally broken thanks to Moussa Diaby.

The former Aston Villa winger broke free down the wing, outpaced the visiting defense, and then shot home from the right side of the area.

With 12 minutes remaining, Benzema thought he had sealed the win for the Jeddah giants but, once more, the Frenchman’s effort was ruled out for offside.

The former Real Madrid star was left to regret that as Al-Riyadh equalized through a spectacular effort from Ibrahim Bayesh, with nine minutes remaining.

The Iraqi international picked up possession inside his own half, ran to the edge of the penalty area and then fired home into the top corner for what could be a goal of the season contender.

Despite that beauty, it looked grim for Ittihad but then, 10 minutes into added time, the leaders grabbed a dramatic victory after a handball in the area.

Saleh Al-Shehri kept his nerve to score from the penalty spot after 12 minutes of added time.

While there is still a long way to go, the goal means that Al-Ittihad stay in the driving seat leaving Hilal much to do.


Saudi clubs edge closer to success in AFC Champions League divisions

Saudi clubs edge closer to success in AFC Champions League divisions
Al-Hilal are targeting a record-extending fifth AFC Champions League title. (X/@Alhilal_FC)
Updated 13 March 2025
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Saudi clubs edge closer to success in AFC Champions League divisions

Saudi clubs edge closer to success in AFC Champions League divisions
  • With all Elite competition matches from the quarterfinals on taking place in Jeddah, few will bet against a Saudi side landing Asia’s premier club competition

RIYADH: Saudi clubs’ continued outstanding performances in the 2024/2025 AFC Champions League competitions underlined why for many people they remain favorites for the big prizes.

Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli have reached the quarter-finals of the main, “Elite” tournament, while Al-Taawoun made history by advancing to the semi-finals of AFC Champions League 2. These achievements show the growing strength of Saudi club football in Asia. Here are some of the highlights after the latest round of matches.

Al-Hilal’s big comeback win highlights dominance

Al-Hilal, after losing the away leg 1-0 to Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, in the second leg in Riyadh on Tuesday night pulled off an outstanding comeback with a 4-0 victory that included goals from Hamad Al-Yami, Malcom, Salem Al-Dawsari and Nasser Al-Dawsari. With a spot in the quarterfinals confirmed, they will again be one of the favorites to take the trophy, and for a record fifth time.

Mahrez stars in solid Al-Ahli performance

Al-Ahli secured their quarterfinal place with a 2-0 win over Al-Rayyan in the second leg at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, having won the away fixture 3-1 in Qatar. Riyad Mahrez scored two late goals, helping the team to a comprehensive 5-1 win on aggregate. With Mahrez, Ivan Toney and Roberto Firmino providing the firepower, few teams would want to face Al-Ahli in the knockout stages.

Duran and Ronaldo help Al-Nassr cruise into quarterfinals

After a goalless first leg in Iran, Al-Nassr dominated Esteghlal in the last 16 return leg in Riyadh to win 3-0 and cruise into the quarterfinals.

Jhon Duran scored in the ninth and 84th minutes with Cristiano Ronaldo’s 27th minute penalty sandwiched in between. With all matches from the quarterfinals on taking place in Jeddah, it is difficult to see the next Champions League Elite winner not being from Saudi Arabia.

Al-Taawoun’s historic achievement

In AFC Champions League 2, Al Taawoun reached the semi-finals after beating Iranian club Tractor SC 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the second leg finished 2-2. The teams played out a 0-0 draw in Iran on March 4.

The win by Taawoun, who are eighth in the Saudi Pro League, shows that clubs from the Kingdom are competitive at both levels of this season’s AFC Champions League. Al-Taawoun will now face the UAE’s Sharjah in the semifinals.

With four teams still in contention, this could well be the year that Saudi clubs take full control of Asian football.

 


Herve Renard announces Saudi Arabia’s lineup for Asian qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

Herve Renard announces Saudi Arabia’s lineup for Asian qualifiers for 2026 World Cup
Updated 12 March 2025
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Herve Renard announces Saudi Arabia’s lineup for Asian qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

Herve Renard announces Saudi Arabia’s lineup for Asian qualifiers for 2026 World Cup
  • Green Falcons will host China on March 20 before they travel to play against Japan on March 25
  • Frenchman’s list constitutes of 27 players, who will join the Green Falcon’s training camp in Riyadh on Sunday

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s national football team’s French head coach Herve Renard announced on Wednesday the lineup for the seventh and eighth rounds of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The Green Falcons will host China on March 20 at Al-Awwal Park Stadium before they travel to play against Japan on March 25 at Saitama Stadium 2002.
The Frenchman’s list constitutes of 27 players, who will join the Green Falcon’s training camp in Riyadh, starting March 16, ahead of their two qualifiers.
The list includes Ahmed Al-Kassar, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Hamed Yousef, Mishari Sinior, Hassan Kadesh, Jihad Zekri, Saad Al-Moussa, Ali Lajami, Hassan Al-Tambukti, Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti, Saud Abdulhamid, Nawaf Bushel, Ali Majrashi, Faisal Al-Ghamdi, Nasser Al-Dosari, Musab Al-Juwair, Ziad Al-Jahni, Mohammed Kano, Salem Al-Dosari, Turki Al-Ammar, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Ayman Yahya, Muhannad Al-Saad, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Firas Al-Buraikan and Abdullah Al-Salem.
The Green Falcons are in Group 3 in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, alongside Japan, Australia, Bahrain, China and Indonesia.


Al-Hilal return to winning ways, Al-Nassr stumble

Al-Hilal return to winning ways, Al-Nassr stumble
Updated 08 March 2025
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Al-Hilal return to winning ways, Al-Nassr stumble

Al-Hilal return to winning ways, Al-Nassr stumble
  • With just 2 wins in last 6 league games, pressure was on Al-Hilal
  • Al-Nassr draw 2-2 with Al-Shabab to be 10 points behind leaders Al-Ittihad

RIYADH: Al-Hilal defeated Al-Fayha 2-0 on Friday to cut Al-Ittihad’s lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to just four points while, despite another Cristiano Ronaldo special, Al-Nassr were held to a 2-2 draw by Al-Shabab in the Riyadh derby.

With just two wins in the last six league games, the pressure was on Al-Hilal but a first-half goal from Mohamed Kanno eased the worries of the defending champions. The midfielder was left unmarked near the penalty spot from a Ruben Neves corner from the right and headed home powerfully.

It put a spring in the step of the visitors but it was not until the 90th minute that Al-Hilal were certain of the three points. Aleksandar Mitrovic has been injured since January but was never going to miss when Salem Al-Dawsari pulled the ball back and the Serbian striker stroked home. It was not a vintage performance but the win was more than welcome for under-fire coach Jorge Jesus.

Back in Riyadh, Al-Nassr drew 2-2 with Al-Shabab and are now 10 points behind the leaders Al-Ittihad.  

It all happened toward the end of the first half. Abderrazak Hamdallah opened the scoring against his former club, putting Al-Shabab ahead from the penalty spot. Daniel Podence was brought down just inside the area and up stepped the Moroccan to smash the ball into the corner.

But Al-Nassr were ahead by the break. Two minutes into added time, the Yellows equalized. Al-Shabab cleared a left-sided Ronaldo free-kick that bounced out to Ayman Yahya who lashed it home from just inside the area.

Seven minutes into added time Ronaldo put Al-Nassr ahead. The 40-year-old picked up possession on the right side of the area and then smashed the ball home into the roof of the net for his 18th league goal of the season.

It was all looking good but, seven minutes into the second half, Al-Nassr were reduced to 10 men as Mohammed Al-Fatil was adjudged to have bundled over Podence as the Portuguese star ran for goal.

Midway through the second period Al-Shabab took advantage of their one-man advantage and were back on level terms when Mohammed Al-Shwirekh headed home from a corner.

Just 10 points separate the top five teams with 10 games remaining. It is all still to play for.


Young Spanish star embraces transition from Barcelona to Al-Ittihad

Young Spanish star embraces transition from Barcelona to Al-Ittihad
Updated 07 March 2025
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Young Spanish star embraces transition from Barcelona to Al-Ittihad

Young Spanish star embraces transition from Barcelona to Al-Ittihad
  • Unai Hernandez talks Saudi Pro League debut, fan support and Al-Ittihad’s title focus

JEDDAH: Although a statement addition to the Roshn Saudi League in January, Unai Hernandez had to wait a little before making his debut.

Maybe that was to be expected. The Spanish starlet, a feature of FC Barcelona’s reserve side this season, only made the transition from teenager to 20-year-old man a month before he left his homeland for Saudi Arabia.

Born in Barcelona, his transfer from the Spanish giants to Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad represented the midfielder’s first taste of the professional game outside his own country.

However, a few weeks after he left La Liga for the RSL, Hernandez finally got the opportunity to show what he could do in Al-Ittihad’s home clash against Al-Okhdood last Sunday.

The young star was introduced at Alinma Stadium as a 76th-minute substitute, replacing Saudi winger Abdulrahman Al-Obud.

For Hernandez, it was worth the wait.

“I am very happy to make my debut in this great team,” he said after the 1-1 draw. “Since I arrived, I was really eager to play, and well, it has been a tough match where we lost these points and the victory at the end.

“But we can’t relax. And we have to try to win every possible match."

Despite his tender years, Hernandez already sounds like a seasoned pro. It maybe helps that he is surrounded in the Al-Ittihad squad by some of football’s most decorated stars.

Among them are Karim Benzema, the club captain and winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or. Then there is N’Golo Kante, a FIFA World Cup winner. And Fabinho, who, like Benzema, is a European champion who has won the UEFA Champions League.

As they have already followed the same path from Europe to Saudi Arabia, they will be crucial to helping Hernandez settle swiftly.

“I feel very comfortable with my new teammates,” Hernandez said. “The fans also support me a lot, and that makes me happy and gives me a lot of confidence when I go out for those minutes.”

Although he missed Thursday night’s 1-1 draw with Al-Qadsiah, he has said before that he hopes to play a role, no matter how big or small, in Al-Ittihad’s intended march to the title. With such a talented group of teammates, no doubt he is biding his time as he waits for his next chance to shine.