Saudi Arabia - players.bio

Ronaldo scores and leads Al-Nassr into AFC Champions Elite semifinals

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo led Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr to a 4-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite on Saturday. The 40-year-old scored his eighth goal of the tournament during a dominant first half performance in Jeddah, which is hosting all of the games in the tournament from the quarterfinal stage to the final on May 3. In Wednesday’s semifinal, Al-Nassr will take on Al-Sadd of Qatar or Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, who meet on Sunday. Jhon Duran, signed for over $100 million from Aston Villa in January, opened the scoring from close range. Four minutes later, Sadio Mane doubled Al-Nassr’s lead, the former Liverpool forward firing home a fierce low shot from the left of the area. There was still time before the break for Ronaldo to give Al-Nassr, looking for a first ever continental title, one foot in the last four.

Duran double seals Al-Nassr's passage to Asian Champions League semis

JEDDAH : Al-Nassr ensured all three Saudi Pro League sides reached the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals as Stefano Pioli's side handed Yokohama F Marinos a 4-1 defeat on Saturday.

Al-Ahli down Buriram to set up all-Saudi Asian Champions League semi

JEDDAH :Al-Ahli handed Thailand's Buriram United a 3-0 defeat in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Saturday, with victory setting up an all-Saudi Pro League semi-final against Al-Hilal next Tuesday.

Leverkusen beat Augsburg to postpone Bayern’s title celebrations

LEVERKUSEN, Germany: Bayer Leverkusen beat Augsburg 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday to postpone leaders Bayern Munich’s expected title win by at least a week. The still reigning Bundesliga champions are on 67 points, eight behind leaders Bayern with three matches left to play. The Bavarians can seal their 34th league crown with a win at RB Leipzig next week. Before Saturday’s game Leverkusen fans greeted coach Xabi Alonso, who led their team to an undefeated domestic league and Cup double last season, with loud applause and the unfurling of banners urging him to stay at the club. The Spaniard, who has a contract to 2026, is a target for several top European teams, including reportedly Real Madrid, and has declined to say if he will be at Leverkusen next season. Forward Patrik Schick struck in the 13th minute with Leverkusen’s first real chance, drilling home from the edge of the box for his 19th league goal of the season. Leverkusen had the ball in the net again but Nathan Tella’s header at the far post was ruled offside. They made amends in first-half stoppage time when Emiliano Buendia curled a shot past goalkeeper Finna Dahmen to make it 2-0 and ensure three points for the hosts. “It was a better game for us, with better energy and more self-belief,” Alonso told a press conference. Leverkusen had drawn their previous two league games to lose ground in the title race with Bayern. “We were solid and focused and I’m satisfied with this game.

IPL climax impresses South African greats AB de Villiers and Chris Morris

LONDON: This year’s Indian Premier League is serving up a thrilling climax and two of South Africa’s cricketing greats, AB de Villiers and Chris Morris, are delighted with how the 18th event is unfolding.

Rally Jameel ‘not just a race’ for drivers

QASSIM: When the women competing in Rally Jameel come to Saudi Arabia, they not only get to discover the Kingdom’s terrain, but its people and culture. Spanish driver Noelia Benitez, competing in the all-female race — which began April 21 in Jordan and ends April 26 — for the fourth consecutive year, told Arab News: “It’s a fun week — drivers and co-drivers enjoy every minute of it.” For Benitez, the rally is about more than just the racing. “We’re not just enjoying sitting behind the wheel and competing for the title,” she said. “The race takes us through the stunning landscapes of Tabuk, AlUla, Hail and Qassim and showed us the culture and traditions of Saudis in different places.

Lebanese youth footballer injured in Israeli strike determined to return to the pitch

BEIRUT: Shining young Lebanese footballer Celine Haidar is refusing to let a critical head injury she sustained after an Israel airstrike keep her down, and is determined to recover and return to the pitch. “No pain, no gain … I am very gratified with where I’ve reached in my rehabilitation. Actually I’m surprised … I want to return to football once I complete my physiotherapy and retain my fitness,” Haidar, a 20-year-old youth international, told Arab News on Saturday. Speaking at Mgr Cortbawi Institute and Rehabilitation Hospital, where she has stayed since waking up from a two-month coma in January, Haidar said she does not recall what happened on the ill-fated day of Nov.

Saudi Arabia impress with the bat in Quadrangular series but lose out to brilliance of Virandeep Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia’s senior men’s cricket team have had a busy three days in the Malaysia Quadrangular Series in Kuala Lumpur. They comfortably beat Thailand and Singapore before being involved in a gripping contest against Malaysia, the highest ranked team in the tournament.

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Saudi Arabia Sport News

Ronaldo scores and leads Al-Nassr into AFC Champions Elite semifinals

Duran double seals Al-Nassr's passage to Asian Champions League semis

Al-Ahli down Buriram to set up all-Saudi Asian Champions League semi

Leverkusen beat Augsburg to postpone Bayern’s title celebrations

IPL climax impresses South African greats AB de Villiers and Chris Morris

Rally Jameel ‘not just a race’ for drivers

Lebanese youth footballer injured in Israeli strike determined to return to the pitch

Saudi Arabia impress with the bat in Quadrangular series but lose out to brilliance of Virandeep Singh