Football
FOOTBALL - Int News 16 Sep, 2024
Over 20 nationalities, 200 players: 90 matches to be played during 18-week soccer festivalSports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Women’s Premier League prepares to reach new heights as the nation’s top women’s division returns to action on Friday (September 27, 2024).With 90 matches set to take place across the 18-match week campaign of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s (SAFF) Women’s Premier League, the third season of top tier professional women’s football in the Kingdom will see the game reach new levels in 2024-25, with over 200 players registered for the new season.Ahead of the new campaign, the league saw over 15 new international signings join the 10 clubs, resulting in the total number of player nationalities reaching more than 20. The influx of international talent to the Saudi Women’s Premier League is a testament to the growth of women’s football in the Kingdom, following on from the qualification of Al Nassr to the Preliminary Stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League in August.The new season’s kick-off campaign - titled ‘See Us Play’ - invites football fans to celebrate women’s football in Saudi Arabia. With a new generation of football fans emerging in the Kingdom, including 77,000 female players in the nation’s school league, the Women’s Premier League will provide supporters with memorable moments across the new season.SAFF President, Yasser Al Misehal said: “We’re very proud of the growth of women’s football in Saudi Arabia and excited to see the return of the Women’s Premier League. The Federation’s investment in women’s football is clearly working so we will continue to increase our investments at all levels. As we go into the third season of the league, we have more registered players, football clubs, domestic competitions, national teams, licensed coaches, referees, and girls participating in the regional training centers and the school’s league than ever before. I congratulate our Women’s Football Department on this initiative, and wish the players, clubs and officials good luck and in the spirit of the campaign, encourage everyone across Saudi and beyond to #SeeUsPlay. We have so many historic clubs and passionate fans who support them but there is new history to write, and these players simply deserve your support. Everyone benefits from the noise and energy you will bring.”Head of Women’s Football at SAFF, Aalia Al Rasheed said: “The development we have seen for the Saudi Women’s Premier League over the past two seasons has been remarkable, going from having no professional female players to now having over 20 nationalities competing here in Saudi Arabia. It has been an incredible experience to witness how this game is inspiring a new generation, with players who saw the formation of our national team in 2021 now joining the women’s professional league and professional women’s clubs now competing on the international stage. The Saudi Women’s Premier League continues to develop rapidly with international players now eager to join our clubs and the formation of youth clubs and leagues to support the emerging talents of Saudi football and highlight the unique international stars to join the league this season. The record growth at a grassroots level is what we are most proud of, but we are looking forward to seeing how this continues to develop in the coming season, inspired by our new #SeeUsPlay campaign.”
FOOTBALL - National 16 Sep, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) named a 23-member squad for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-17 Men’s Championship 2024 scheduled to be held in Bhutan from September 20 to 30, 2024.The green shirts will kick off their campaign against Nepal on September 21 at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, the host Bhutan on September 23, and Sri Lanka on September 25 at the same venue. Pakistan are placed in Group B with Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka while India Maldives and Bangladesh are in Group A.Sajjad Mehmood will serve as the head coach with Hassan Baloch assisting him as the assistant coach and Nouman Ibrahim taking on the role of goalkeeping coach.Names of selected players: Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Husnain Saleem, Najeem Khan, Sameer Ahmed, Ubaid Ullah Khan, Majid Ali, Syed Mohammad Aabis Raza and Umar Javed (Defenders), Abdul Samad, Mohammad Faraz, Farhad, Haroon Rashed, Hikmat Ullah, Khobaib Khan, Mohammad Shahab Ahmed and Mohammad Khan (Midfielders), Abdul Ghani, Subhan Karim, Shahraf Khan and Muhammad Talha Khan (Forwards), Aadil Ali Khan, Ghulam Abbas and Kashif (Goalkeepers).
FOOTBALL - Int News 29 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): Back-to-back Saudi Women’s Premier League champions Al Nassr secured a second successive victory in the preliminary group stage in the AFC Women’s Champions league to top Group A going into the final round this weekend.The Riyadh club, representing the Kingdom as the first Saudi side to compete in Asia’s premier continental women’s club competition, provided a dominant display on Tuesday on their way to sealing a 3-0 victory against Young Elephants FC of Laos.Algerian midfielder Lina Boussaha opened the scoring with a stunning free kick ahead of half time, before new summer signing Ruth Kipoyi doubled Al Nassr’s advantage going into the half time break. The former Galatasary attacker darted into the box before sending a stunning strike into the top corner for her first goal for the Riyadh club.Sandro Mendes’ side started the second half as they finished, with Tanzanian striker Clara Luvanga firing a low finish for her third goal in two AFC Women’s Champions League matches.Basma Al Shenaifi said: “It means so much to me to be playing at this level. The girls have been so helpful, I’m always learning from them. In every training session they always come and help me so I can improve my game. They have inspired me to play with confidence, not be afraid to make mistakes. It’s been a great start to the season for me.”Tuesday’s win sees Al Nassr sit atop Group A with two wins from two matches, setting up a table-topping clash with UAE-side Abu Dhabi Country Club in the final fixture of the Group A Preliminary Stages.Al Nassr stopper Sara Khalid sees her side continuing to build on its strong foundations following two consecutive shutouts to make progress towards the goal of achieving AFC Women’s Champions League qualification.Sara Khalid said: “Before we came into the group, we said the aim was to win the three games. We have 6 points so far so we’re working towards the next 3 points now. There has been a really strong chemistry between myself and the backline so far which is positive. We have been training well together to develop that, and with every game, we enter with the aim of keeping a clean sheet to not concede no matter who the opponent is. We’ve managed to keep the two clean sheets which has helped us build our way into the game. We have our identity, our style, and we’ll keep building on this”.
FOOTBALL - Int News 25 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The stage is set ahead of the first ever AFC Women’s Champions League matches to take place in Saudi Arabia, with Women’s Premier League champions Al Nassr preparing to become the first women’s side from the Kingdom to participate in the illustrious competition on Sunday evening.The Riyadh club will make their debut in Group A of the competition’s preliminary stage on Sunday evening at Al Awwal Park against Myawady Women FC, the domestic champions of Myanmar. The two-time Saudi Arabian league champions will then face Young Elephants of Laos and champions of the UAE’s domestic women’s league, Abu Dhabi Country Club to round out the group.Al Nassr head coach, Sandro Mendes believes his side have what it takes to compete in Asia’s premier women’s club competition. “We know the teams we are facing, we’ve done our homework. We’ll take it game by game but we are Al Nassr and we’re ready to compete,” he said.With the official start to the Saudi Arabian Women’s Premier League in September, the challenge of qualifying to the next stage of the top women’s club competition in Asian football is something Mendes feels his side have prepared for.Mendes added, “It’s our first official game of the season but I believe we are ready. We’ve had a good preseason in Spain and added some strong international players with experience to the squad, so we hope to progress to the next stage.”Sousa said, “from my few weeks of training with the team so far, it’s clear that Al Nassr doesn’t just come to compete and take part. We’re ready to give our all in every match and obviously go for the win.”The Brazilian international, who competed in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League with her former club, is looking forward to the chance to make an impact on her debut in the club’s first ever appearance in Asia’s top women’s club competition.“For me, every player wants to make history for the club. Every competition is different but at a big club, you always want to win and make history. So hopefully we can take the first step in this competition,” she added.Organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the AFC Women’s Champions League is destined to usher in a new era of success and progress for women’s football in the years ahead – serving as the new premier continental competition for professional women’s clubs across the region. For the upcoming 2024/25 season, the highly anticipated inaugural edition will welcome the 21 domestic champions from AFC member associations.
FOOTBALL - Int News 20 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The 2024-25 season ushers in a new era for the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), featuring a series of innovations aimed at enhancing the league’s competitiveness, as well as a host of new international stars and homegrown heroes.Gracing the league for the first time will be names including former Real Madrid captain Nacho, Premier Leaue golden boot winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as well as high-profile arrivals Houssem Aouar, Moussa Diaby and Predrag Rajkovic. Meanwhile, World Cup winner Laurent Blanc is one of a number of new faces in the dugout, including Sabri Lamouchi. Benzema said: “We’re here to challenge for everything, not just make up the numbers. We know we need to improve. We have a new manager and have added some real quality to the squad with Moussa Diaby and Houssem Aouar, and I’ve been really impressed by some of the younger guys who have come in to the squad. As senior players it’s our job to take responsibility and allow these young guys to come in to the team and thrive.”Neves said: “Winning trophies comes with great responsibility, and we take that seriously. We know we can’t take our foot off the gas… so we’re focused on having a great start to the season and we’re looking forward to having injured players back in the team. We know they can take us to that next level.”Mane said: “We fell short last season and we need to step up this year. Everyone in the squad, myself included. I’m sure every other team in the league is hoping to do the same. I’m expecting a super competitive season with some very good players joining the league and new young boys coming through.”Aubameyang said: “My challenge is to continue what I've been doing all my career and all my life: scoring goals and try to give my experience to the team and to the players. It's getting better and better [The RSL]. And obviously we're here to bring the level higher.”Gerrard said: “You can already see things have gone up a notch with the league, not just in the quality of the teams but how the league are going about things. We’re really looking forward to the new derby weekends, which I think will give those fixtures an added edge and I think some of the transfers in and out across the league are really smart.”Blanc said: “So far, I’ve been really impressed with everything I’ve seen – from the facilities through to the infrastructure of the league. We know we are here to build a winning team and that is absolutely my priority, to restore Al Ittihad to where it needs to be, but we also have an eye on making sure we’re making the most of fantastic young talents like we have here.”The 2023-24 season saw eight RSL clubs move to new stadiums thanks to the Ministry of Sport’s efforts to elevate sporting infrastructure. The league’s global footprint also grew by 30% to reach 160 countries across 38 platforms, as part of the competition’s goal to become a top global football league.
FOOTBALL - National 13 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The 6th Pakistan International Veterans Football Mela is set to kick off on Wednesday (August 14, 2024) here at Jallo Park, marking another exciting chapter in a celebration of veteran football in Pakistan. In a press conference, Sardar Naveed Haider Khan, joined by Chairman veteran football body Mian Abbas and international football legends Ghulam Abbas Tedi and Imtiaz Butt, shared their enthusiasm for this year’s event. "This annual event is held to commemorate Pakistan's Independence Day, and this year, we are proud to host the sixth edition of the tournament," said Sardar. "Top international veteran footballers from Pakistan will showcase their skills in this prestigious competition, featuring nine teams including Balochistan, Sindh, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Lahore, Faisalabad, Chitral, Peshawar, and Pindi. All matches will be played under floodlights, with the final scheduled for August 18 at the same venue," he added. Mian Abbas highlighted the significant contributions of the Pakistan Veterans Football body, noting that district veteran football clubs have been established nationwide. These clubs are instrumental in keeping veteran players fit, nurturing new talent, and preparing them for national representation. "Our goal is to give back to the country by developing a strong football nursery," he asserted. Mian Abbas also expressed his vision for veteran football, inspired by the recognition given to football legends worldwide. "Seeing veterans from other countries honored even after retirement motivated me to focus on veteran football. With support from fellow veterans and legends, we have created a platform where veterans remain active and also mentor young players. We are working towards having our veteran players participate in international series and even the veteran football World Cup," Mian Abbas said. Ghulam Abbas Tedi, reflecting on his experiences visiting different regions of Pakistan, praised the growing involvement of veteran footballers. "It's encouraging to see so many veterans actively participating in the sport and mentoring youngsters. This bodes well for the future of veteran football in Pakistan," Tedi remarked. Imtiaz Butt expressed gratitude to the media for their support in promoting veteran football. "The media's role in highlighting veteran football is crucial, and I am proud to run an academy in Faisalabad that engages veteran players in healthy activities while also training young footballers. Under the leadership of Mian Abbas and Sardar Naveed Haider Khan, I am confident that veteran football will continue to flourish in Pakistan," Imtiaz Butt concluded.
FOOTBALL - Rugby 11 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Pakistan WAPDA won the 25th Men's Parco National Rugby Championship 2024 for the first time after defeating the Army team 17-0 in the final.A large number of spectators and families attended the Sunday’s matches of the Parco National Championship, including female rugby players who came to support the teams. In the first semifinal, Pakistan Army defeated Punjab Yellow, while in the second semifinal, Pakistan WAPDA overcame Islamabad Jinns. Punjab Yellow demonstrated impressive gameplay in the third and fourth positions, defeating Islamabad Jinns 15-10 in the final moments. In the final, WAPDA players showcased exceptional performance from the very first half. WAPDA's Amsal scored a try in the second minute of the first half, and in the ninth minute, Aamir scored another try, which was converted by Aamsal to make the halftime score 12-0. Despite considerable effort from the Army team in the second half, WAPDA's Afzaal scored another try early on, which remained intact until the end of the match and Wapda clinched the championship by beating the defending champions Army 17-0. The closing ceremony was graced by Sharon Dias, General Manager of Group Corporate Affairs at Parco. The event was also attended by Chaudhry Arif Saeed, President of the Pakistan Rugby Union, Chairman Fauzi Khawaja, Secretary Salman Sheikh, and a large number of officials from WAPDA Sports Board, Pakistan Army Sports Board, and former rugby players.
FOOTBALL - National 11 Aug, 2024
Karachi City beat Legacy FC 4-0 in the final, Rameen, Sarah, Zahmena, and Zulfia score goalsAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Karachi City Football Club have won the title of the National Women's Football Club Championship 2024 after thrashing Legacy FC 4-0 in a single-sided final at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Saturday night. In the first half, Karachi City FC took a 2-0 lead over Legacy FC. Rameen Farid scored the first goal for Karachi City FC in the 14th minute, followed by Sarah's goal in the 28th minute. The team's momentum continued in the second half, with Zahmena scoring the third goal in the 52nd minute. Zulfia sealed the victory with the fourth goal in the 75th minute. The winning team received a cash prize of Rs 1 million, while the runner-up earned Rs 500,000. The third-place team, Karachi United, took home Rs 300,000, and the Fair Play award went to Hazara Quetta, who were awarded Rs 200,000. Nadia Khan from Karachi City was honoured as the best player of the tournament, Nisha Ashraf from Karachi City was named the best goalkeeper, and Eman Mustafa was recognized as the top scorer with 8 goals. The final was attended by a distinguished group of guests, including Haroon Malik, Chairman of the Pakistan Football Federation NC, Senior member of PFF NC Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar, Lahore Qalandars CEO and owner Atif Rana, PHF President Tariq Bugti, MNA Jamal Raeesani and a large audience of football enthusiasts.
FOOTBALL - Int News 09 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportRiyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Super Cup, the traditional curtain raiser in Saudi Arabian football, is set to ignite the 2024-25 season with an opening weekend of high-intensity football and fierce competition as the first matches of the new season kick off in Abha this week.Hosted in the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium in the picturesque city of Abha for the first time, the top four teams from Saudi Arabian football’s historic 2023-24 season will compete for the first honours of the new season.As the top four finishers in the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) in the previous season, Al Nassr, Al Ahli, Al Taawoun and domestic treble winners Al Hilal will compete for the prestigious trophy to open the campaign.Following Al Hilal's record fourth Super Cup win in April, this year's tournament will continue with the expanded four-team format introduced in 2023. The semi-final phase will see Al Hilal begin their campaign against Al Ahli on 13 August, while Al Nassr take on Al Taawoun on 14 August in Abha. The winners will then proceed to the Saudi Super Cup final, set to kick off at 7.15pm local time on Saturday 17 August.As the domestic treble-winners last season, Al Hilal is aiming to maintain their flawless form from the 2023-24 campaign which saw the Riyadh side secure their record 19th league title under Portuguese manager, Jorge Jesus. Portugal’s Ruben Neves, Serbian duo Aleksandr Mitrovic and Sergej Milinković-Savić, and the returning Neymar are all set to feature in the season-opening competition in Abha.Returning for their second top-flight season, Al Ahli will provide a tough test for last year’s champions as the Jeddah team aims to secure their first Super Cup victory since 2016. With a strong pre-season featuring the return of international stars in Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, the opening match in Saudi Arabian football will provide a lively start to the new season.Al Nassr, led by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, have their sights set on redemption going into the new season, after a dramatic penalty shoot-out loss in the King’s Cup final to end a difficult campaign. With new signing Brazilian goalkeeper Bento set to feature, the Riyadh side will be aiming to add to their two previous successes in the Saudi Super Cup.
FOOTBALL - National 09 Aug, 2024
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Legacy FC and Karachi City FC have secured their spots in the final of the National Women's Football Club Championship 2024, following their impressive performances in the semi-final matches held at Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad. Karachi City FC will face Legacy FC in the final on Saturday (August 10, 2024), at 8:30 pm at the same venue.In the first semi-final, Legacy FC showcased their dominance on the field with a resounding 6-0 victory over Karachi United. Eman Mustafa was the star of the match, delivering an outstanding performance with four goals. Kayanat Bukhari also contributed significantly, scoring a brace to secure the win for Legacy FC.The second semi-final saw Karachi City FC display their prowess, overwhelming Hazara Quetta with an 8-0 triumph. Zahmena Malik and Suha Hirani each scored a brace, while Nadia, Zulfia, Sanah and Aliza added a goal each, ensuring Karachi City FC's place in the final.
Most Popular
