Connect with us

World

Saudi ‘Clasico’: Mitrovic masterclass, Nuno reality check and Neymar wait goes on


After a remarkable summer of spending by Roshn Saudi League (RSL) heavyweights Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, fans of both sides were eagerly awaiting the first ‘Saudi Clasico’ of the season.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The clubs didn’t leave their supporters disappointed.

Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal – winners of 27 RSL titles between them – served up an enthralling fare on Friday, with Al-Hilal earning three points and the bragging rights as well, thanks to an entertaining 4-3 away victory at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.

In a topsy-turvy game, hosts Al-Ittihad raced to a 3-1 half-time lead, but a spirited fightback from Al-Hilal in the second half, aided by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s hat-trick and the winning strike from Saudi national team forward Salem Al-Dawsari, saw Al-Hilal have the last laugh.

The point-counterpoints will continue for some time to come, as it usually happens with all big games, but here are three key aspects arising out of the match that proved to be a perfect advertisement for a new-look RSL.

1) Mitrovic masterclass

Among the star-studded new attacking arrivals in the Kingdom in recent months, Serbian national Aleksandar Mitrovic’s move from English Premier League side Fulham was relatively low-key. However, Mitrovic is a world-class finisher. His 14 Premier League goals for Fulham in 2022-23 came after he netted 43 in 44 games to help his side earn promotion to the elite group the previous season.

Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

Mitrovic had marked his RSL debut with a goal against Al-Raed but was kept out by Al-Ettifaq in his last outing before the ‘Clasico.’ However, Serbia’s all-time leading scorer exploded back into life with a masterclass against Al-Ittihad, earning him instant stardom among Al-Hilal supporters.
A defender’s nightmare, Mitrovic boasts great movement and an intensity that can admittedly boil over into petulance occasionally. Against Al-Ittihad, he was unstoppable at times, with his opening goal an immediate addition to an already impressive career highlights reel. Most strikers would have attempted to control Saud Abdulhamid’s right-wing cross, but Mitrovic took it the first time instead, sweetly volleying into the top corner of the net.

His second was a poacher’s finish, poking the ball home after Marcelo Grohe had saved his initial header. Mitrovic completed his hat-trick by demonstrating his composure under pressure, coolly slotting home a penalty in front of 20,000 cheering Al-Ittihad fans.

Al-Hilal had relied on goals from Odion Ighalo last season, but with Mitrovic now leading the pack and Neymar set to join him soon in the attack, Al-Hilal’s firepower has been handed a significant upgrade – one that is sure to strike fear in rival defences this season.

2) Reality check for Santo

After guiding Al-Ittihad to the Saudi league title last season and starting the 2023-24 campaign with four straight wins, life appeared rosy for coach Nuno Espirito Santo. However, this home defeat to fiercest rivals Al-Hilal provides an early reality check for Santo – now without a win in five games against Al-Hilal – and all those who had thought his team would stroll towards another crown.

Al-Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo. (Reuters)

Al-Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo. (Reuters)

There were, of course, plenty of positives, with some scintillating counter-attacks – particularly in the first half. Abderrazak Hamdallah’s through for Romarinho’s opener was beautifully crafted, while French international Karim Benzema’s delicately flicked finish was impressive, with Igor Coronado keeping the supply line well-oiled from the midfield.

Yet, Al-Ittihad looked frail in defence. Conceding four goals at home in a high-stakes derby is catastrophic.

It could have been worse as Al-Hilal hit the crossbar twice.

Santo needs more from Ngolo Kante, particularly with 37-year-old Omar Hawsawi at the heart of their defence. Hawsawi is a respected former Saudi international and a veteran, but he will struggle against the new-generation RSL talents.

Al-Ittihad has been focused on signing Mohamed Salah before the Saudi transfer window closes. Still, the near-$200 million they have offered to Liverpool for the Egyptian superstar may be better spent on world-class defensive reinforcements to match Al-Hilal’s acquisition of Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea.

The ongoing Salah saga raises major questions about Santo’s relationship with marquee signing Benzema, who scored in the Clasico but also missed a golden opportunity to put Al-Ittihad 4-1 up and surely beyond reach when he was denied by goalkeeper Bono early in the second half. If reports of a rift are true, it will be a major barrier to Al-Ittihad’s hopes of retaining their RSL title.

3) The long wait for Neymar

That Neymar has yet to make his Al-Hilal debut is frustrating for his fans and a relief for supporters of rival RSL clubs. Jorge Jesus’ side sit top of the league, even without their Brazilian ace, and it bodes well, considering they may need to get used to seeing him on the sidelines.

Neymar’s signing from Paris Saint Germain was a calculated risk by Al-Hilal. He is a global icon who accords a worldwide appeal to the club. The queues of fans clamouring for Al-Hilal jerseys at the club shop are a testament to his status as a genuine football icon.

However, the downside is that Neymar is also extremely injury-prone.

Al-Hilal coach Jesus summed it up perfectly after his arrival, describing Neymar as an “innovative and creative player,” but in the same breath admitting, “I don’t know when he will return”.

The flamboyant forward has regularly been on and off the treatment table in the past few seasons. He last played club football this February, and it has been more than a year since he last turned out for Brazil in an international match.

When Neymar finally makes his debut at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, it will surely be a euphoric occasion, but it could also be a false dawn. Al-Hilal will be fighting for trophies on multiple fronts this year, and there is no question that Neymar will be an asset if and when he is fully fit. It remains to be seen how often that may be.

Read more:

Al Hilal beats reigning league champions Al Ittihad

Future football stars to be trained under program led by Saudi Arabia’s NEOM

Women’s football in Saudi Arabia ‘breaking records,’ says first female VP of SAFF

Original Article

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

Continue Reading

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

Continue Reading

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

Continue Reading

Trending