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RIYADH: A video for a newly launched campaign, “You Got This,” featuring Saudi national team head coach Herve Renard, begins with a solitary figure running — at first alone, then gradually joined by others, until the crowd itself carries the Frenchman forward. 

It is not only a metaphor for Renard’s philosophy, but also an apt reflection of his training methods and the unity he believes is key to ������Ƶ’s dream of returning to the World Cup. In October, his team will take on Indonesia and Iraq in the fourth round of AFC Qualifiers, top the three-team Group B, and head to the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico next summer. 

“It’s very good support,” Renard told Arab News at the launch of the Adidas campaign. “I think (the whole) country will be behind us. We know what they are expecting from us, but we are also expecting from them to support us. From the first gun to the last one. And together, we have to do it.”

It’s a powerful call to arms, and hearts. For Renard, running is more than fitness; it’s his thinking space, his strategy room, and his sanctuary.

“If I don’t run, I’m not feeling comfortable,” he said, explaining how his solitary runs are moments of mental preparation. “I never use music when I’m running. I’m always thinking about what I have to say, what maybe I didn’t do well before, what I have to improve, or what I will say to the players. Always to anticipate what’s coming.”

Renard is, in essence, consistently debating with himself — mentally rehearsing every team talk, every tactical shift, every outcome.

“As a coach, we also like the pressure,” he said, acknowledging the weight of expectation. “It’s some adrenaline, you know? The competition. If there is no pressure in football, it’s not the same.”

But there is one thing that keeps his compass steady: positivity.

“At the end, we are always thinking, we will be so happy, this is the most important (thing).”

If Renard, in the campaign, is the lone runner at the start, the Saudi crowd is the thunder that roars behind him. The energy of the supporters at home fixtures has often been transformational for his players.

“This is fantastic. Especially when we play in Jeddah,” Renard said. “The atmosphere can be incredible. But I always tell the players (that) the fans will follow us if we show them we are determined, if we are motivated. The first actions come from us.”

It’s a two-way relationship built on belief. The team feeds off the passion of the fans, and in return, the fans draw strength from the fight of their players. It’s no surprise that the memory of that famous 2-1 victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup still echoes in every chant.

“Always remember this game,” Renard added, his voice trailing into nostalgia. “But the focus is to try to do the same in the near future.”

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming and qualification rounds nearing conclusion, Renard’s attention is firmly on the immediate task of securing ������Ƶ’s place on the global stage once again. Recent friendlies against North Macedonia and Czechia have, according to the coach, been pivotal on and off the pitch for his squad.

“The spirit was fantastic,” Renard stressed. “We changed five players for each game, but the spirit was the same — the way we started, the way we finished. We didn’t treat them as friendlies. We were already thinking about October.”

And the evolution isn’t just about the senior squad. With ������Ƶ set to host the 2034 World Cup, the development of young talent is becoming more crucial than ever.

“The league is getting stronger,” Renard said. “So, it’s good for some Saudi players. Now they need to compete more. They are playing with very big players. That (will) bring them some experience.

“I’m sure they will get it. And they will be stronger for the future.”

Renard’s leadership is not flamboyant. It is thoughtful, relentless, and quietly commanding — like a long-distance runner who never stops moving forward. In his words and his work, there is always purpose.

“Let’s do it together,” he concluded, returning once more to that image of unity. “It’s a collaborative kind of work.”

From the quiet moments of introspection on a solitary run to the roar of the stadium in Jeddah, Renard is leading a collective sprint toward a future that holds both challenge and promise. And in true Saudi fashion, the whole nation is running with him.

DUBAI: Baseball United has announced that 13 of the 23 roster spots for its Mid East Falcons franchise will feature Japanese players.

The Falcons will compete in the league’s inaugural season this November and December in Dubai.

The group represents nearly 60 percent of the team’s roster and includes nine players who have competed in the Nippon Professional Baseball League, the highest level of the game in Japan.

Japan is currently ranked No. 1 in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, a position it has earned through decades of international dominance.

The country boasts a deep heritage dating back to the 19th century, with the NPB widely regarded as the No. 2 professional league in the world, behind Major League Baseball.

Japan has won multiple World Baseball Classic championships and consistently produces elite talent on both the domestic and MLB stage, including the reigning MVP from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani.

Japan boasts the highest per capita baseball viewership in the world. The nation’s games in the 2023 World Baseball Classic posted massive viewership, with all seven drawing 30 million or more viewers.

More recently, the 2024 MLB World Series averaged 12.9 million viewers in Japan, making it the most-watched Fall Classic in the country’s history.

Baseball United has been making inroads in the country over the past year, including through a partnership with the Tokyo Broadcasting System that includes a reality TV series to discover the nation’s next stars.

 The competition’s top players will also join the Falcons roster. The winners will be announced before the start of the season.

“Japan is one of the greatest baseball nations in the world,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Baseball United.

“It has everything that produces elite baseball — an elite professional league, strong minor and independent leagues, exceptional high school programs, widespread youth engagement, and one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports.

“It’s an honor to have so many Japanese players representing the Falcons. Their experience, talent, and knowledge of the game will make an immediate impact — not only on the field, but also in inspiring fans back home and across the world.”

The Japanese players represent a mix of international stars, NPB standouts, as well as young prospects from the Yokohama DeNA Baystars organization.

Munenori Kawasaki, 44, an infielder from Kagoshima, is a veteran whose career spans the NPB, MLB, Chinese Professional Baseball League, and now the Route-Inn BCL, a Japanese independent league.

He debuted with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (currently Fukuoka Softbank Hawks) in 2001 and later played in the US for the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago Cubs. He also represented Japan at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics, winning both tournaments.

Kawasaki played in Taiwan with Wei Chuan Dragons in 2019, and since 2020 has been a member of the Tochigi Golden Braves in Japan’s independent BCL, where he plays and serves as a technical advisor.

Hiroyuki Nakajima, 43, an infielder from Hyogo, has built a distinguished career as a shortstop in the NPB, starring for the Seibu Lions, later joining the Orix Buffaloes, Yomiuri Giants and Chunichi Dragons.

In 2012, he signed with the Oakland Athletics, bringing his talents to the US. During his career in the NPB, he earned multiple Best Nine and Golden Glove awards and represented Japan in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic.

After announcing his retirement in 2024, Nakajima is now making a surprise return for Baseball United’s inaugural season, bringing veteran presence and decades of expertise to the clubhouse.

Shuhei Fukuda, 36, an outfielder from Kanagawa, who has played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Chiba Lotte Marines in the NPB, is known for his speed and defensive range.

He announced his retirement in 2024, but in February 2025 returned to play in the Baseball United UAE Series. Later that year, he began serving as a special assignment coach and consultant with the Seattle Mariners, an uncommon honor for a Japanese player without prior MLB experience.

Manato Tanai, only 18, an infielder from Hiroshima, began his professional career when he was drafted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in 2024, and is regarded as one of their top prospects.

A right-handed hitter, he is known for his speed, strong arm, and reliable defense. In his rookie year, he played in the Eastern League, the NPB’s farm system, gaining experience and selection to the 2025 Fresh All-Star Game.

The Mid East Falcons will debut alongside the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, and Arabia Wolves in Baseball United’s first season this November. The Falcons’ first game is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19, against the Monarchs.

The first season will feature 21 games in four weeks at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai, with broadcasts to fans around the world. The season will culminate with the United Series — a best-of-three championship final — from Dec. 12 to 14.