RIYADH: The World Cup moves a step closer next week with all four Arab participants taking part in friendly matches. Arab News has five talking points ahead of the crucial international break. 1. Saudi Arabia looking for result against Ecuador The Green Falcons are heading to Spain for a training camp and games against fellow World Cup entrants Ecuador and the US.
Herve Renard has selected his Saudi Arabian squad for this month’s Spanish training camp that will include World Cup warm-ups against Ecuador on Sept. 23 and then the US four days later, and the Frenchman looks to have ended dreams of Qatar for some and given others a tantalizing hope. For those in the 26 who are not automatic starters, this is likely to be the last
1. No shocks but drama coming soon It was a fairly predictable start to the new season. The teams that you would expect to win did just that and there was little to raise eyebrows, apart from the fact that there were no draws in the eight games. Indeed, the top six from last season all won and did so by conceding a combined total of one goal. That is not necessarily a bad
RIYADH: It was another huge weekend in the Saudi Professional League with the picture at the top and bottom of the table getting a little clearer as we enter the final stages of the season. And it seems Al-Ittihad are still heading toward a first title win since 2009. Here are five things we learned from the latest action 1. Al-Ittihad don’t look like choking The 2-0 win over
RIYADH: Al-Hilal defeated Al-Ittihad 2-1 on Tuesday evening in Riyadh, a result that meant the leaders are starting to look over their shoulders despite maintaining a healthy lead in the Saudi Professional League. The Jeddah giants remain top of the table with 54 points from 23 games, eight points ahead of Al-Shabab in second, and 10 clear of Al-Nassr. Al-Hilal stay in fourth