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Jack Hendry primed for first Dammam derby with Al-Ettifaq

Jack Hendry primed for first Dammam derby with Al-Ettifaq
Scotland's defender #13 Jack Hendry (R) controls the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match (AFP)
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Updated 03 April 2025

Jack Hendry primed for first Dammam derby with Al-Ettifaq

Jack Hendry primed for first Dammam derby with Al-Ettifaq
  • The Scotland defender spoke to Arab News about playing under Steven Gerrard and the ‘Eastern Derby’ against Al-Qadsiah

LONDON: Al-Ettifaq center back Jack Hendry knows a fair bit about cross-city rivalries. He played for Dundee against Dundee United, for Club Brugge against Cercle Brugge and, most notably, for Celtic against Rangers in the Old Firm Derby.

On Saturday, Hendry will face a new foe when he lines up in Al-Ettifaq’s defense against high-flying Al-Qadsiah. For the past few years, Al-Ettifaq has been Dammam’s leading club, but this season it has been undeniably usurped by rivals Al-Qadsiah.

Michel’s newly promoted side has enjoyed a stellar season on its return to the Kingdom’s top flight, currently lying third in the Saudi Pro League table and making it to the final of the King’s Cup.

“Hats off to Qadsiah, they’ve had a very good season,” Hendry told Arab News in an exclusive interview. “They’ve had good recruitment, bringing in players that have worked well for them.

“We really want to match that and will continue to work hard to be the main team in Dammam. I think we’re very much capable of doing that. It’s been a disappointing season but we are extremely motivated to be the No. 1 team in the city for our fans, because we know how much it means to them.”

He added: “This is something I am really hungry for. I moved to Al-Ettifaq to accomplish something in football; we don’t want to be finishing mid-table, we want to be winning the King’s Cup, qualifying for Asian competition and challenging at the top of the league.”

Hendry’s winning mentality is ingrained after spells at Celtic in his native Scotland and Club Brugge in Belgium — both clubs expected to consistently challenge for every domestic trophy.

It was this hunger that initially convinced him to move to Al-Ettifaq in summer 2023, excited by the possibility of working under Steven Gerrard. The coach’s own glittering playing career yielded myriad trophies at Liverpool before he also won the Scottish Premiership as Rangers boss in 2021.  

“I had lots of opportunities to go to different places across Europe, but Steven really sold the project to me,” Hendry said. “It was an opportunity I thought I couldn’t let go.

“I picked up a lot from Steven and it was a great honor to play for him as he was one of my idols growing up. The winning mentality is something he obviously had as a player and he definitely brought that to his coaching too.”

In January, after 18 months at the helm, Gerrard left Al-Ettifaq and former Ƶ U-23s’ coach Saad Al-Shehri returned for his second stint.

Hendry admits he was sad to see Gerrard go but praised his teammates for their professionalism in quickly adapting to their new coach’s approach — the team are now seventh in the Pro League table with victories including an impressive 3-2 away to Al-Nassr in February.

“To lose a figure, a role model like Steven with all his experience in the game is always disappointing,” Hendry said. “But in football, you get setbacks and things you don’t expect — you have to learn from it rather than dwell on it.

“We’ve now got a new manager who is extremely positive and highly ambitious for the football club. It matches my ambitions as well so I’m delighted he has those high standards and I’m really looking forward to the future.”

Al-Shehri’s arrival has coincided with Hendry’s return to the Al-Ettifaq starting lineup. The Saudi coach clearly sees the 29-year-old as a key figure both on the pitch and in the dressing-room, but it comes after a difficult first half of the season for Hendry.

After playing every minute of every game in the 2023-24 campaign, Hendry found himself initially omitted from the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League squad after suffering an injury. His return came quicker than anticipated, meaning he faced a painful wait for the end of the winter break to return to action.

“I was really happy with how I played last season and I really put my body on the line for the team,” Hendry says. “I played in a couple of games when I had a broken nose and a fractured cheek as well. This is the sort of player I am — I want to put in everything for the team.

“That’s why the first half of this season was so tough. It was a difficult situation but I worked extremely hard to … be fit as soon as possible because I knew the impact I could have on the side. Unfortunately, that then meant I needed to spend longer watching the team as I couldn’t play.

“I want the club to be as successful as possible and feel that when I am on the pitch we have a better chance of keeping the goals out. Thankfully now I’m back in the team and hopefully those circumstances won’t happen again.”

While Hendry has helped bring some solidity back to the Al-Ettifaq defense, the team has been struggling at the other end of the pitch. Al-Shehri’s side goes into the Dammam derby without star striker Moussa Dembele, who in February was ruled out until the end of the year after rupturing his Achilles.

“He is a very talented footballer, a very powerful striker,” Hendry says of Dembele, who was also his teammate at Celtic. “Moussa is going to be a big miss — no team wants to lose their No. 9. But we need to react to that in a positive way, do our best for him and hope he has a good recovery.”

Al-Ettifaq’s attackers will have their work cut out on Saturday against an Al- Qadsiah side that has the Saudi Pro League’s meanest defense this season — they have conceded just 21 goals in 25 games.

Hendry is nonetheless relishing the opportunity to play in his first Dammam derby. While he admits the rivalry might not have the ferocity of the Old Firm or Bruges games, he hopes Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Qadsiah might develop into something just as special.

“Obviously the fans of Celtic and Rangers absolutely live and breathe the Old Firm Derby in Scotland,” Hendry explains. “It means a lot and that creates an unbelievable atmosphere — it would be impossible to experience that kind of a game anywhere else.

“The passion in Scotland and in Belgium were amazing but we are talking about generations upon generations of fans. There is the potential with what’s going on right now in Ƶ that it can reach that level.

“We already have many very loyal supporters at Ettifaq. I know it would mean the world to them to beat Qadsiah and we need to go out there and make them proud of the football club — that’s what we’ll try to do.”


Rybakina wins Ningbo title to close in on WTA Finals

Rybakina wins Ningbo title to close in on WTA Finals
Updated 55 sec ago

Rybakina wins Ningbo title to close in on WTA Finals

Rybakina wins Ningbo title to close in on WTA Finals
  • A 10th career title for Elena Rybakina means she only has to reach the semifinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week to seal the last qualifying spot for the season finale
NINGBO, China: Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down to beat Russian fourth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6 6-0 6-2 and win the Ningbo Open title on Sunday, as her late surge to reach next month’s WTA Finals gained momentum.
A 10th career title for Rybakina means the Kazakh only has to reach the semifinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week to seal the last qualifying spot for the season finale at the expense of Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.
Others who have qualified for the WTA Finals, to be held in the Ƶn capital of Riyadh from November 1-8, are Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys and Jasmine Paolini.
Alexandrova made a flying start, racing 4-1 ahead as Rybakina struggled to rein in the errors and mix up her game, before the 30-year-old comfortably took the opening set with a powerful forehand winner.
Desperate to prevent a fourth straight defeat by Alexandrova on hardcourts, Russian-born Rybakina came out firing in the next set, hitting a crosscourt winner to consolidate an early break and lay the platform to level in the match.
World number nine Rybakina cranked up the intensity from the baseline in the deciding set, but it was a foray to the net that earned the 26-year-old another early break, and she went on to claim her second trophy of the season.

Nkosi Ndebele beats Simbarashe Hokonya at PFL Africa headliner in Rwanda

Nkosi Ndebele beats Simbarashe Hokonya at PFL Africa headliner in Rwanda
Updated 42 min 12 sec ago

Nkosi Ndebele beats Simbarashe Hokonya at PFL Africa headliner in Rwanda

Nkosi Ndebele beats Simbarashe Hokonya at PFL Africa headliner in Rwanda
  • Abraham Bably and Justin Clarke deliver statement wins in the heavyweight division

RWANDA: Fights on the 2025 PFL Africa Semifinal: Rwanda card at Kigali’s BK Arena on Saturday night produced five stoppages and six hard-fought decisions, all in pursuit of a place in the 2025 PFL Africa Finals in Benin on Dec. 20.

South Africa’s Nkosi Ndebele (10-3) and Zimbabwe’s Simbarashe Hokonya (6-1) closed the show with a razor-close bout worthy of a PFL Africa main event. From the opening bell the fighters set out to neutralize each other’s strengths in a tactical, back-and-forth bantamweight semifinal.

Ndebele looked to show off his trademark striking from range, while Hokonya — renowned for his grinding wrestling and counter-heavy style—pressed forward, attempting to impose his will inside the PFL Africa SmartCage.

Hokonya’s pressure was met with strong resistance, as Ndebele stuffed clinch attempts with underhooks and solid defensive wrestling. While Hokonya edged ahead in total strikes landed, Ndebele’s two takedowns — combined with high-volume attack — proved decisive.

Ndebele also secured crucial control time in Round 2, taking Hokonya’s back and executing a tight body lock to limit movement. In the final round, the South African turned up the pace — landing crisp right hands, clean hooks, impactful low kicks, and capping it off with a well-timed takedown just before the final bell. That strong finish stood him in good stead, earning a split decision win and a place in the 2025 PFL Africa bantamweight final in Benin, where he will face Algeria’s unbeaten Karim Henniene (6-0).

In a heated co-main event built on bad blood, Angola’s Shido Boris Esperanca (11-1) let his performance do the talking, stopping Cameroon’s Octave Ayinda (7-1) in the first round of their PFL Africa welterweight semifinal clash.

Ayinda made a strong start, rocking Esperanca early with a powerful left hand. But the Angolan weathered the storm, relying on his world-class grappling to turn the tide. Showing all the poise of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Esperanca transitioned smoothly from one dominant position to another, displaying exceptional control and pressure.

Once he took Ayinda’s back, Esperanca was unstoppable. What began as a possible submission attempt quickly turned into a barrage of punishing strikes. A crushing left hand followed by relentless rights left Ayinda unable to respond, forcing the referee to step in and wave off the bout, punching Esperanca’s ticket to the PFL Africa welterweight final.

In the second and final heavyweight semifinal of the night, South Africa’s Justin Clarke (4-0) delivered a stunning performance, going toe-to-toe with one of the most dangerous strikers in the division, Cameroon’s Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-2), before emerging victorious.

In a contender for fight of the night, both men thrilled the crowd at BK Arena with a high-paced, back-and-forth battle featuring elite-level striking and championship-caliber grit.

As the bout entered the third round, the South African’s relentless pressure and conditioning began to tell on Nana, ultimately forcing the Cameroonian to verbally concede, securing Clarke a victory and a place in the PFL Africa heavyweight final.

In the first heavyweight semifinal of the night, 2023 PFL Challenger Series contract winner and Ivory Coast’s own Abraham Bably (7-2) delivered a statement victory, stopping Nigeria’s Joffie Houlton (8-5) in devastating fashion in the opening round.

In the opening featherweight semifinal bout, Cameroon’s Alain Majorique (6-0) showed composure and grit, overcoming two groin strikes from Guinea’s Mohamed Camara (5-4-1) to earn a dominant victory and advance to the 2025 PFL Africa finals.

All roads now lead to Benin on Dec. 20 for the 2025 PFL Africa Finals, where the Professional Fighters League will crown its first PFL Africa bantamweight, featherweight, welterweight, and heavyweight champions.


Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League

Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League
Updated 59 min 16 sec ago

Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League

Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League
  • 5-1 win over Al-Fateh at Al-Awwal Park sees Riyadh club open up 4-point gap on rivals Al-Hilal

RIYADH: A Joao Felix hat-trick on Saturday saw Al-Nassr extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League after a comprehensive 5-1 win over Al-Fateh at Al-Awwal Park.

The Riyadh club now have a maximum 15 points after five rounds of the SPL season, four more than second-place Al-Hilal, who earlier in the day beat Al-Ettifaq 5-0 in Dammam.

Going into the weekend’s fixtures, Al-Nassr held a three-point lead over reigning champions Al-Ittihad, who could only manage a 1-1 draw at Al-Fayha on Friday.

Portuguese playmaker Felix opened the scoring for Al-Nassr in the 13th minute with what turned out to be the only goal of the first half. The leaders were rocked when Algerian forward Sofiane Bendebka equalized for Al-Fateh in the 54th minute, but the setback proved to be just a temporary one for Al-Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo restored Al-Nassr’s lead on the hour mark with a sensational long-range strike, one minute after seeing his penalty saved by the visitors’ goalkeeper Amin Al-Bukhari.

Felix continued his excellent form since joining Al-Nassr this summer by scoring the Yellows’ third and fifth goals in the 68th and 80th minutes, while Frenchman Kingsley Coman got in on the act by scoring the fourth in the 75th minute.

Al-Nassr’s next match is away to Goa on Wednesday in AFC Champions League Two before they travel to Al-Hazem for their sixth clash of the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Earlier on Saturday, visitors Al-Hazem defeated Al-Okhdood 2-1 to climb to 12th in the SPL table, while their hosts are now in 17th position.


Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep

Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep
Updated 19 October 2025

Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep

Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep
  • Pakistan beat World Test champions South Africa by 93 runs inside four days last week
  • Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed or uncapped Asif Afridi can be called up for second Test on Monday

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan could include a third spinner against South Africa as the hosts try to sweep the series 2-0 in the second Test in Rawalpindi, head coach Azhar Mahmood said Sunday.

Pakistan beat World Test champions South Africa by 93 runs inside four days last week with spinners taking 34 of the 40 wickets on a turning Qaddafi Stadium pitch.

Mahmood said either leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed or uncapped 38-year-old left-armer Asif Afridi could be called up for the second and final Test beginning on Monday on a dry Rawalpindi pitch.

Left-armer Noman Ali took 10 wickets in the first Test while his spin partner Sajid Khan finished with six.

With the pitch in Rawalpindi likely to turn more as the match goes on, Mahmood stressed that first innings runs will be crucial, whether batting first or second.

“The pitch looks dry ... so you need to score big and not depend on the toss for a favorable result,” said Mahmood.

South Africa will be bolstered by the return of experienced left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who missed the first Test with a groin strain.

“Keshav is fit and obviously it is great to have him back,” said South Africa stand-in captain Aiden Markram.

“He brings in great experience and a really good skill set.”

Maharaj is likely to partner Senuran Muthusamy, who excelled with 11 wickets in the first Test.

“It is really important for us to try to level the series,” said Markram, who is captain because Temba Bavuma is injured.

“We are expecting more spin in this Test but it is an opportunity for us.”

Tony de Zorzi made a century in the first Test and Markram said the South Africans had “tapped into him” to understand “what worked against the Pakistan spinners.”

“It is good to have someone with that confidence,” he added.


Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain

Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain
Updated 19 October 2025

Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain

Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain
  • Third and fourth rounds of Ƶ’s FIA-accredited single-seater series will take place in Jeddah during November

MANAMA: Round 2 of the FIA-certified Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship concluded on Saturday with Kit Belofsky and Adam Al-Azhari winning one race each at the Bahrain International Circuit in Manama.

The event was promoted by Altawkilat Motorsport under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

The Bahrain International Circuit has hosted the opening two rounds of the Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship, each delivering two thrilling races that showcased the rising standards of Ƶ’s FIA-accredited single-seater series.

In Round 1, Belofsky (PEAX) claimed victory in the first race, while Emirati driver Al-Azhari (VALVOLINE) triumphed in Race 2.

The duo’s momentum continued into Round 2 yesterday, where Al-Azhari secured the win in Race 3 before Belofsky ended the weekend with an impressive victory in Race 4.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal, chairman of SAMF, welcomed the return of the Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship, expressing his delight at the level of organization delivered by Altawkilat Motorsport, as well as the impressive performances of the drivers and intense competition witnessed throughout the races.

“This championship is important for Saudi and international drivers alike, serving as a platform to prepare the next generation of Saudi drivers capable of competing regionally and globally,” he said. “These championships contribute to developing drivers both physically and mentally, while enhancing their technical skills and readiness to face motorsport challenges with a high degree of professionalism.”

Prince Khalid concluded by saying: “We look forward to continuing this momentum as the championship moves to Jeddah for the upcoming rounds, further reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination for motorsport, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of empowering youth and developing the sports sector.”

With the Bahrain rounds now complete, attention turns to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the fastest street circuit in the world, which will host the remaining stages of the Aramco F4 Ƶn Championship.

Round 3 will take place on Nov. 10–11, followed by Round 4 on Nov. 14–15, before the season finale on Dec. 5–6.