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CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo was red carded for elbowing an opponent during Al-Nassr’s defeat against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. Sadio Mané did score for Al-Nassr following Ronaldo’s departure, but earlier goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Malcom gave Al-Hilal a 2-1 victory. There was no way back for Al-Nassr from there, despite Mané’s consolation goal after Ronaldo’s red card. The defeat on Monday means that Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are likely to end this season without a trophy. Al-Hilal will now face Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup final in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Hilal’s Ali Al, Bulayhi, Sadio Mané, Dawsari, Malcom, Hilal, Jorge Jesus, Otávio, Ronaldo remonstrates, Stringer, Ronaldo Organizations: CNN, Al, Saudi Super, Salem Al, men’s, Saudi Pro League, Asian Champions League, SPL Locations: Hilal, Abu Dhabi, Portuguese, Salem, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Ittihad
At least nobody can accuse Asia’s soccer authorities of failing to sweat the small stuff. can still find the time to dictate precisely which water bottles, with which labels, fans should be allowed to carry into stadiums. That kind of attention to detail should reassure you that soccer’s future — from Beirut to Beijing, and Ulaanbaatar to Hobart — is in safe hands. Unfortunately, that is not quite the picture that emerges from a report, commissioned by soccer’s global players’ union, FIFPro, assessing the benefits and shortcomings of Asia’s most prestigious club competition, the Asian Champions League. Instead, the report documents a tournament that acts as an almost perfect microcosm of soccer’s general direction across the globe.
Persons: Hobart — Organizations: Asian Football Confederation, , Asian Champions League Locations: , Beirut, Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Hobart
CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo told a referee to overturn a penalty awarded in his favor during Al-Nassr’s Asian Champions League game against Persepolis. The act of sportsmanship occurred in the second minute of Monday’s match as Ronaldo was brought down in the box, prompting referee Ma Ning to award a penalty to the home side. But the Portuguese star approached the referee and argued that the decision should be reversed. The game ultimately finished 0-0 after Al-Nassr’s Ali Lajami was red carded early in the first half for a late challenge on Milad Sarlak. Ronaldo did have a chance to add to his three Asian Champions League goals this season early in the second half, but he fired a shot just wide of the post.
Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ma Ning, Ma, Nassr’s Ali Lajami, Sarlak, Fayez Nureldine Organizations: CNN, Al, League, Persepolis, Asian Champions League, Saudi Arabian Locations: Portuguese, AFP, Riyadh, Saudi
Crespo set to take charge at UAE club Al Ain
  + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +1 min
Nov 13 (Reuters) - Al Ain-bound Argentine coach Hernan Crespo will arrive on Monday to formally sign his contract, the UAE club said. Crespo will succeed Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder who parted ways with Al Ain last week after just six months in charge following media reports he would be moving to Saudi Arabia. Al Ain made the announcement on social media platform X with a video clip reviewing Crespo's career as a player and coach. Al Ain signed 51-year-old Schroeder last May after the departure of coach Sergei Rebrov, but media have linked the Dutch coach with Saudi champions Al-Ittihad, who have sacked Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo. Al Ain are third in the UAE Pro League with 15 points after seven games.
Persons: Al, Hernan Crespo, Crespo, Alfred Schreuder, Al Ain, Duhail, Paris St Germain, Christophe Galtier, Schroeder, Sergei Rebrov, Nuno Espirito, Al Wasl, Saudi Arabia's, Ashraf Hamed Atta, Ken ferris Organizations: Argetina, Parma, Lazio, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Qatari, Al, Paris St, Saudi, Nuno Espirito Santo, UAE Pro League, Asian Champions League, Thomson Locations: Al Ain, Argentine, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ittihad, Portuguese, Al
CNN —Iranian soccer club Sepahan has been punished by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for displaying a bust of a divisive general, who was assassinated by the United States in 2020, which caused the cancelation of a game against a Saudi team. The Quds Force is an elite unit that handles Iran’s overseas operations – and one designated as a terrorist organization by the US and Saudi Arabia. He was killed in 2020 by a US drone strike ordered by then US President Donald Trump. A picture, obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim, showing Sepahan players leaving the pitch after the cancellation of the match in Isfahan, Iran. After playing three Asian Champions League Group C matches, Al-Ittihad tops the group with nine points after a trio of wins, with Sepahan in third place on four points.
Persons: Qasem Soleimani, ’ Al, Ittihad, , Soleimani, Donald Trump, Morteza Salehi, Mohammad Reza Saket Organizations: CNN, Iranian, Sepahan, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Saudi, Al, Jahan, Asian Champions League, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Force, ” Sepahan, Sport, Quds Force, US, Saudi Press Agency, AFP, Getty, Asian Champions League Group Locations: United States, Ittihad, Naghsh, Isfahan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Tehran, Riyadh, AFP, Al
Oct 31 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Salem Al-Dawsari has been named the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year with Chelsea and Australia forward Sam Kerr taking the women's title at the regional body's awards ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. Al-Dawsari, who scored Saudi Arabia's winner in their shock 2-1 victory over Argentina at the World Cup last year, took the men's award after also leading Al-Hilal to the final of the Asian Champions League and the Club World Cup. The awards were being held for the first time in four years as a result of the disruption caused to the game across the continent by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerr, who on Monday had finished as runner-up in the Ballon d'Or vote in Paris, won her award for the second time having previously been named the confederation's best female player in 2017. Shui Qingxia claimed the honours in the women's coaching category after she led China to the Women's Asian Cup last February in India, the country's first continental title since 2006.
Persons: Salem, Dawsari, Sam Kerr, Qatar's Almoez Ali, Mathew Leckie of, Kerr, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, China's Zhang Linyang, Saki Kumagai, Japan's Hajime Moriyasu, Shui Qingxia, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Football, Chelsea, Saudi Arabia's, Asian Champions League, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Australia, Doha, Argentina, Al, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Paris, China's, Japan, Germany, Spain, China, India
HONG KONG, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Shandong Taishan moved to the top of Group G of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday as Brazilian striker Cryzan and former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored in the second half to secure a 2-0 win over hosts Incheon United. Only the winners of each of the 10 groups in the Asian Champions League are certain to progress to the last 16, where they will be joined by the three runners-up from the eastern and western halves of the continent with the best records. Thailand's Bangkok United maintained their perfect start in Group F by coming from behind to beat Kitchee 2-1 in Hong Kong. Austria international Jakob Jantscher, a summer signing for the Hong Kong champions, gave Kitchee a seventh-minute lead but Rungrath Phumichantuk levelled four minutes into first half stoppage time. In Group H, first half goals from Alessandro Lopane and Jamie Maclaren saw Melbourne City secure a 2-0 win over Buriram United in Thailand to move onto seven points from three games.
Persons: Cryzan, Marouane Fellaini, Fellaini, Kota, Kenyu Sugimoto, Anderson Lopes, Kevin Muscat's, Jakob Jantscher, Kitchee, Rungrath Phumichantuk, Willen Mota, Fernando, Thais, Bassel, Dan Petrescu's, Alessandro Lopane, Jamie Maclaren, Japan's Ventforet Kofu, Lucas Possignolo, Nyasha Mushekwi, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Asian Champions League, Manchester United, Incheon United, Chinese Super League, South, Incheon, Yokohama F Marinos, Kaya FC, Kota Mizunuma, Bangkok United, Kitchee, Hong, Jeonbuk Motors, Lion City, Melbourne City, Buriram United, Australians, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shandong Taishan, Shandong, Iloilo, Philippines, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Austria, Thailand
Ismaeel Mohammad and Almoez Ali pulled Al Duhail back into contention before Ronaldo's 81st-minute volley restored their two-goal cushion, only for Michael Olunga to hit Al Duhail's third with five minutes remaining to ensure a tense finish. The win moves Al-Nassr three points clear of Iran's Persepolis, who saw Alireza Beiranvand make a seventh-minute penalty save from Senin Sebai before winning 2-0 in Tehran against FC Istiklol of Tajikistan. Saeid Sadeghi scored twice to earn the home side their second win in three games and go five points clear of Al Duhail and Istiklol, who have a solitary point each. The win takes Al-Ain to nine points from three games, six points clear of Al-Fayha, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Ahal. Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Anderson, Sadio Mane, Ronaldo, Ismaeel Mohammad, Almoez Ali, Al Duhail, Michael Olunga, Al Duhail's, Alireza, Senin, Saeid Sadeghi, Alfred Schreuder's, Soufiane Rahimi, Nawaf Al Harthi, Kouaido, Kaku, Erik, Al Harthi, Rahimi, Pakhtakor, Azizbek Turgunboyev, Hojimat Erkinov, Michael Church, Clare Fallon Organizations: Asian Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Senin Sebai, FC Istiklol, Saudi, United Arab, Al, Azizbek, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Al Duhail, Qatar, Persepolis, Tehran, Tajikistan, Ain, Paraguayan, United Arab Emirates, Al, Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tashkent
Oct 3 (Reuters) - Neymar scored his first goal since his high profile move to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as Al-Hilal defeated Iran's Nassaji Mazandaran 3-0 in Tehran's Azadi Stadium in the group phase of the Asian Champions League. Neymar doubled Al-Hilal's lead with a perfectly timed left-foot strike in the 58th minute and substitute Saleh Al Shehri put the seal on a comfortable win in injury time. Al Ain backed up their opening round win over Pakhtakor with an impressive attacking performance in front of their own fans as Brazilian midfielder Erik put the former champions ahead in the fourth minute with a clinical finish. Al Ain now have a three-point cushion over Ahal and Al Fayha, who had a goal in each half from Abdelhamid Sabiri to thank for their 2-0 win at home over Pakhtakor. ($1 = 0.9551 euros)Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons: Neymar, Hilal, Iran's, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ma Ning, Hilal's Salman Al Faraj, Nassaji's Amir Houshmand, Saleh Al Shehri, Hilal's, Navbahor, Jamshid Iskanderov, Jasurbek, Doniyor Abdumannopov, Al, Turkmenistan's Ahal, Pakhtakor, Al Fayha, Al Ain, Erik, Soufiane, Kodjo Laba, Elman Tagayew, Kouame Kouadio, Dayanch, Michael Church, Toby Davis Organizations: Iran's Nassaji, Tehran's Azadi, Asian Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Paris St Germain, Al, Mumbai, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Al, Iran's Nassaji Mazandaran, Paris, Saudi, Mumbai City, Hilal, Al Ain, Pakhtakor
The Quds Force is an elite unit that handles Iran’s overseas operations – and one designated as a terrorist organization by the US and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh severed ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in the capital following the execution of a Shiite Muslim cleric in Saudi Arabia. The recent détente however brought hopes of long-lasting peace as Saudi Arabia redirects its resources toward economic development. Iranian and Saudi teams competed last month for the first time in seven years in Iran, where billboards in the streets welcomed the Saudi teams in English, Arabic and Farsi. Iranian soccer fans have also been seen wearing Saudi team jerseys after the kingdom’s clubs made high-profile purchases of international soccer stars.
Persons: Qasem Soleimani, Soleimani, Donald Trump, Ittihad, Tasnim, Morteza Salehi, Mohammad Reza Saket, , Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Organizations: UAE CNN —, Asian Champions League, Saudi, Sepahan FC, Jahan, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Force, Quds Force, US, Al, Sepahan, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Saudi Press Agency, AFP, Getty, CNN, Soccer, Saudi Arabia’s Crown, MBS Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Saudi, Iran, United States, Al, Ittihad, Naghsh, Isfahan, Saudi Arabia, China, Tehran, Riyadh, AFP, Iranian
Oct 2 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Al-Nassr survived a scare in the Asian Champions League on Monday with the Saudi Pro League side coming from a goal down to hand Tajikistan's Istiklol a 3-1 defeat in Riyadh. The Asian Football Confederation said the game, which was due to be played in Isfahan's Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium, had been "cancelled due to unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances". In Group B, Uzbekistan's Nasaf climbed into pole position after claiming their second win in a row when Azizbek Amonov struck twice in a 3-1 win over Al Sadd of Qatar. Ruzikul Berdiev's team hold a two point lead over Sharjah from the United Arab Emirates, who beat Jordan's Al-Faisaly thanks to a 20th minute goal from Moussa Marega, an Asian Champions League winner with Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in 2021. Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Senin Sebai, Istiklol, Ronaldo, Anderson Talisca, Luis Castro's, Al Duhail, Omid Alishah, Qasem Soleimani, Ali Jasim, Sanzhar Tursunov's, Siavash Haghnazari, Nasaf, Azizbek Amonov, Al, Ruzikul, Jordan's, Moussa Marega, Saudi Arabia's Al, Michael Church, Ken Ferris Organizations: Asian Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Brazilian, Iran's Persepolis, Iran's Sepahan, Saudi, Asian Football Confederation, Air Force Club, AGMK, Air Force, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Dushanbe, Saudi, Qatar, Isfahan's, Uzbekistan, Al, Ittihad, Al Sadd, Sharjah, Hilal
CNN —Iranian and Saudi soccer clubs will be facing off on a home-and-away basis for the first time since 2016, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a statement Monday. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is set to play Iranian giant Persepolis FC in Tehran on September 19. Riyadh severed ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in the Iranian capital following the execution of a Shi’ite cleric in Saudi Arabia. But both countries agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties in March after seven years of hostility, in a landmark deal mediated by China. Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sport in recent times, with teams in the Saudi Pro League – the professional men’s league in the country – signing a slew of global stars.
Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s, Benzema’s Al, Neymar’s Al, Hilal, It’s Organizations: CNN, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Asian Champions League, Persepolis FC, Sepahan SC, football, Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Football Federation Islamic, Saudi, Saudi Pro League Locations: Saudi, Iran, Tehran, Ittihad, Isfahan, Mazandaran, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Asia, Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Riyadh, China
Soccer Football - AFC Champions League - Final - Second Leg - Urawa Red Diamonds v Al-Hilal - Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan - May 6, 2023 Urawa Red Diamonds' Hiroki Sakai and Shusaku Nishikawa and teammates celebrate with trophy on the podium after winning the AFC Champions League REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Holders Urawa Red Diamonds booked their berth in the group stages of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday as Maciej Skorza's side defeated Hong Kong outfit Lee Man 3-0, but China's Shanghai Port were knocked out by BG Pathum United of Thailand. Yoshio Koizumi gave Urawa the perfect start at Saitama Stadium with a second minute strike and Shinzo Koroki doubled the lead when he headed in Hiroki Sakai's cross from the right four minutes later. Reds, who have won the title three times, will now feature in Thursday's group phase draw in Kuala Lumpur alongside BG Pathum United, Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC and Incheon United of South Korea. BG Pathum United advanced after a hat-trick by Igor Sergeyev saw the Thai side hand 2018 Chinese champions Shanghai Port a Igor Sergeyev 3-2 defeat. The Uzbekistan international struck again in the 61st minute and, while Markus Pink netted with four minutes remaining to ensure a nervous finish for the visitors, BG Pathum United held on to advance.
Persons: Hiroki Sakai, Shusaku Nishikawa, Issei Kato, Maciej Skorza's, Lee, Yoshio Koizumi, Shinzo Koroki, Hiroki Sakai's, Takahiro Sekine, Igor Sergeyev, Sergeyev, Mirahmetjan Muzepper, Markus Pink, Cheon Seong, Gerso, Franko Andrijasevic's, Michael Church Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, League, Diamonds, Urawa, AFC Champions League REUTERS, Rights, Urawa Red Diamonds, Asian Champions League, Shanghai Port, BG Pathum United, Saitama, Reds, Super League, Zhejiang FC, Incheon United, Port, Uzbekistan, Pathum United, Vietnam's, Port FC, Michael, Michael Church Our, Thomson Locations: Hilal, Saitama, Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Thailand, Urawa, Kuala Lumpur, South Korea, Thai, Vietnam's Haiphong, Zhejiang
HONG KONG, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds will take on Lee Man in the Asian Champions League playoffs next week after last season's Hong Kong Premier League runners-up cruised to a 5-1 win over Bali United at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday. Mitchel Paulissen put Lee Man in front after only eight minutes and, while the Indonesians equalised through a Tsui Wang Kit own goal four minutes later, the home side went back in front in the 13th minute with Gil Martins' acute finish. Defender Jose Angel added the fifth four minutes from time with a close range header. Lee Man complete the line-up for the east Asian playoffs, with Vietnam's Haiphong defeating Hong Kong Rangers on Tuesday to set up a meeting with Incheon United from South Korea. (This story has been corrected to rectify the spelling of Mitchel Paulissen in paragraph 2)Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Alexandra HudsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons: Lee, Mitchel Paulissen, Tsui Wang Kit, Gil Martins, Everton Camargo, Jose Angel, Lee Man, Michael Church, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Urawa Red Diamonds, Asian Champions League, Hong Kong Premier League, Bali United, Hong Kong, Wednesday, Everton, Vietnam's Haiphong, Hong Kong Rangers, Incheon United, Zhejiang FC, Port FC, Shanghai Port, Pathum United, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, South Korea, Zhejiang, Thailand, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur
HONG KONG, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates will face Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a berth in the group phase of the Asian Champions League next week after the club from Dubai defeated Al-Wehdat 3-0 in a playoff on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr his team mates will host the 2015 Asian Champions League runners-up in Riyadh next Tuesday after second half goals from Azizjon Ganiev, Renan and Munas Dabbur earned Shabab Al-Ahli victory over the Jordanians. Khurshid Giyosov scored the game's only goal two minutes into the second half to set up a clash with Qatari side Al-Arabi. In the eastern side of the draw, Vietnam's Haiphong equalised in the 88th to take their game against Hong Kong Rangers into extra time and they went on to win 4-1 win. The draw for the group phase of the Asian Champions League will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 24 with matches kicking off on Sept. 18.
Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Azizjon Ganiev, Renan, Munas Dabbur, Luanzinho, Uzbekistan's AGMK, Martin Boakye's, Khurshid Giyosov, Yumemi Kanda, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Yuri Mamute's, Mamute, Martin Lo, Lee, Michael Church, Ken Ferris Organizations: United, Saudi Pro League, Al, Asian Champions League, Dubai, League, Shabab Al, India's, Qatari, Vietnam's, Hong Kong Rangers, Hong Kong Premier League, Incheon United, Urawa Red Diamonds, Bali, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shabab Al Ahli, United Arab Emirates, Riyadh, Shabab, Sharjah, India's Bashundhara, Iran, Seeb, Oman, Arabi, Haiphong, South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur
Neymar joins Saudi club Al-Hilal from PSG in two-year deal
  + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +4 min
Saudi Professional League (SPL) club Al-Hilal announced that Neymar had signed a contract until 2025, with the Brazilian saying, "I am here in Saudi Arabia, I am Hilali" in a video on the team's social media accounts. "I love winning and scoring goals, and I plan to continue doing that in Saudi Arabia and with Al-Hilal." He scored 118 goals in 173 appearances for the Paris club and won numerous trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles. Neymar won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015 but had to settle for a runners-up medal in the 2020 final, which PSG lost to Bayern Munich. SAUDI TRANSFERSThe most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, Al-Hilal have won 66 trophies and hold the record for number of league and Asian Champions League titles with 18 and four respectively.
Persons: Al Hilal's, Neymar, Fahd bin Saad Al, Al, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Germain, We've, Pele, Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Ittihad, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Angelica Medina, Aadi Nair, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Al, Saudi Pro League, REUTERS Acquire, Saudi, Paris St Germain, Champions League, L'Equipe, Saudi Professional League, PSG, Paris, Ligue, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint, Confederations, SAUDI, Asian Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Qatar, French, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions, France, Argentine, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Thomson Locations: Al Hilal, Paris, France, Hilal, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Al, Barcelona, Asia, Riyadh, Ittihad, Ahli, Portugal, Real
Neymar set for Saudi's Al Hilal after PSG agree deal
  + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +3 min
Summary Saudi state media report deal is doneTwo year deal would net Neymar $175 millionBrazilian joined PSG in 2017 for record 222 million eurosAug 14 (Reuters) - Brazil forward Neymar is headed for Saudi Arabia after Pro League side Al Hilal agreed a two-year deal with Paris St Germain, Saudi state media reported on Monday. Al Hilal, managed by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, play Al Fayha on Saturday with Neymar expected to wear the number 10 shirt. Al Hilal had tried to sign PSG's France international Kylian Mbappe, who was reinstated into the Paris club's first team on Sunday. Strengthening the squad is a priority for the Riyadh-based club, as the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced in June an investment and privatisation project for sports clubs involving league champions Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr last season soon after the World Cup in a deal which made him the highest-paid athlete on the planet, while Al Ittihad signed Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.
Persons: Al Hilal, Neymar, Jorge Jesus, Al Fayha, Luis Enrique's, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Alan Baldwin, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Angelica Medina, Toby Chopra, Pritha Sarkar, Hugh Lawson Organizations: PSG, Saudi Arabia, Pro League, Al, Paris St, Ligue, Qatar Sports Investments, French, L'Equipe, Reuters, King Fahd, Barcelona, Lorient, Spanish, France, Kylian, Paris club's, Saudi, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Asian Champions League, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Al Ittihad, Saudi Pro League, Real Madrid, Champions, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Brazil, Paris St Germain, Paris, Riyadh, Portuguese, Spanish, Barcelona, Al, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Al Ahli, Real, London, Bengaluru, Mexico City
TOKYO, May 5 (Reuters) - Al Hilal coach Ramon Diaz refused to be drawn on claims the Saudi Arabian club are attempting to sign Lionel Messi as he focused on his side's clash with Urawa Red Diamonds in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final on Saturday. "Now we're focused on the game," said Diaz, whose side were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Riyadh last week. "We have the final and after the final we'll see what's going to happen." Al Hilal are chasing a record-extending fifth Asian Champions League success and are the holders after defeating Pohang Steelers in the 2021 final. "This team won the Asian Champions League twice (in the last three editions).
TOKYO, May 5 (Reuters) - Urawa Red Diamonds coach Maciej Skorza remains wary of the attacking threat posed by Asian Champions League holders Al Hilal as his side prepare for the second leg of the final at Saitama Stadium on Saturday. But after seeing Al Hilal score seven without reply in their semi-final versus Qatar's Al Duhail in February and strike three times in a 5-3 loss against Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final, Skorza remains cautious ahead of the decisive clash. "It wasn't our intention to play so defensively (in the first leg), it was because Al Hilal are such a good team and they didn't let us play offensively. Al Hilal are playing more in games like this, they are more experienced and can stay calm. Their last triumph came against Al Hilal when a late goal by Brazilian Rafael Silva secured a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Messi apologises to PSG for Saudi trip
  + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +2 min
May 5 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi apologised to Paris St Germain and his team mates on Friday after being suspended for making a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this week and missing a training session as a result. French media reported that Messi was suspended for two weeks after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to train with the squad the day after the Ligue 1 leaders' 3-1 defeat at home to Lorient on Sunday. I had this trip organised and I couldn't cancel it, I had already cancelled it before," Messi said in a video on Instagram. "I apologise to my team mates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me," added the Argentina forward. He returned in January to play a friendly match with PSG against a team of Saudi League stars, when he faced great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The week in Asian football
  + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +3 min
HONG KONG, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Talking points from the week in Asian football:RONALDO'S SAUDI SCORING STREAK CONTINUES WITH HAT-TRICKCristiano Ronaldo's scoring run continued on Saturday as the Portuguese attacker netted all three goals in Al Nassr's 3-0 victory over Damak. The 38-year-old capped the scoring a minute before halftime when he side-footed home after Ayman Yahya cut the ball back towards the penalty spot. The goal was Ronaldo's eighth in five league games since joining Al Nassr after the World Cup. The defeat was the second in a row for new Urawa coach Maciej Skorza and the Pole's team are bottom of the standings. JANKOVIC APPOINTED NEW CHINA COACHSerbian Aleksandar Jankovic has been named coach of the China national team for next year's Asian Cup and the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Oct 22 (Reuters) - Former Japan international forward Masato Kudo, who also played for Kashiwa Reysol, Vancouver Whitecaps and Brisbane Roar, died aged 32 following brain surgery, his club Tegevajaro Miyazaki has announced. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterHe played for the national team in four matches in 2013 and scored two goals. "He made a significant impact in the first division," third division side Tegevajaro Miyazaki, who Kudo had joined from Roar this year, said in a statement. We are devastated that such a great player has passed away so early." Kudo, who also represented Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scored 60 goals in Japan's first division during his career.
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