Asian champions Al Ahli set up a blockbuster Saudi Super Cup final against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr when they thrashed Al Qadsiah 5-1 in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Al Ahli celebrated the club's first ever continental title when they beat Kawasaki Frontale on home turf in Jeddah earlier this year − and they were in similarly impressive form at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Gaston Alvarez might have given Al Qadsiah an early lead with a close-range header, but Al Ahli had already looked dangerous in the opening stages and it only took them four minutes to draw level when Frank Kessie bagged the first goal of a brace.
Ivan Toney made it 2-1 when he tucked away a trademark penalty on 28 minutes before Enzo Millot, a €30 million summer signing from Stuttgart, headed his first goal for the club to put Ahli firmly in the driving seat.
Kessie put the game beyond reach with his second and Ahli's fourth in stoppage time at the end of the first half, with a Nacho own goal completing the rout and rubbing salt in Al Qadsiah's wounds just after the hour mark.
Ambitious Qadsiah might have only travelled to Hong Kong by virtue of Al Hilal's withdrawal, but they were coming off a strong season in the Saudi Pro League. They also boasted new recruits, including last season's Serie A golden boot winner Mateo Retegui, who was signed in a deal worth around €70m.
They were no match for Ahli though, who will provide a serious threat to Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of landing a first piece of silverware in Saudi football with Al Nassr.
Nassr qualified for the final with an impressive victory of their own – a 2-1 win over reigning Saudi champions Al Ittihad on Tuesday.
Ex-Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane put Al Nassr ahead before Al Ittihad struck back through former PSV, Ajax and Tottenham player Steven Bergwijn.
Mane was sent off after 25 minutes following a VAR review, but 10-man Nassr went on to win thanks to Portugal stars Ronaldo and Joao Felix.
The former teed up the latter, a summer recruit from Chelsea, to score the decisive goal.
The Saudi Super Cup final takes place on Saturday at the Hong Kong Stadium (4pm UAE time).
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Cologne v Union Berlin (5.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Hertha Berlin v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Freiburg (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach (8.30pm)
Sunday
Mainz v Augsburg (5.30pm)
Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (8pm)
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) | US$95,000 | (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) ) | $175,000) | (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 3 (TB) ) | $300,000) | (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Curlin Handicap Listed (TB)) | $160,000) | (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB)) | $175,000) | (T) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (T) 2,000m
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
