English striker Ivan Toni, who plays for Al-Ahli Saudi FC, has put an end to recent speculation about his future, definitively ruling out a return to the English Premier League at this time. Toni confirmed that his full focus is currently on serving Al-Ahli and continuing his impressive performances in the Saudi Professional League, especially given his outstanding form this season.

The English striker is enjoying a golden period, arguably one of his best scoring seasons ever. He topped the league's scoring charts with 20 goals, two ahead of Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr. Tony's impact isn't limited to domestic statistics; he played a pivotal role in leading Al-Ahli back to continental glory, contributing directly to their 2025 AFC Champions League title, particularly with his decisive goal that eliminated arch-rivals Al-Hilal in the semi-final, cementing his place in the hearts of the Green Castle's fans.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Tony clearly indicated that a return to English football might be an option in the distant future, but it is not among his current priorities. He emphasized his complete commitment to his long-term contract with Al-Ahli, expressing his strong desire to repay the club and its fans by winning more titles and championships, and affirming that the sporting project in Saudi Arabia has become attractive to the world's top stars.

Tony added that he feels a great deal of psychological and technical stability within the Kingdom, both on and off the pitch, which positively impacts his performance. He explained that the record-breaking numbers he's achieving and the high level of competition give him no reason to consider leaving; on the contrary, they increase his determination to make history with his current team.

On the international stage, Toni addressed his situation with the England national team under German coach Thomas Tuchel. Despite playing just two minutes against Senegal in June 2025 and missing subsequent training camps, his ambition to represent the Three Lions remains strong. He emphasized that his dream of participating in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is a major motivation for him to continue performing at his best.

Toni concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the road to the World Cup passes through the gateway of continuing to score goals and delivering consistent and strong performances that impose his name on the national team's coaching staff, stressing his respect for the coach's decisions and his constant endeavor to maintain his physical and mental readiness, far from any financial considerations, so that he is ready to serve his country's national team whenever the need arises.

The first football team of Al-Shabab Saudi Club will play a crucial and decisive match this Tuesday evening when they host their counterpart, Tadhamon Hadramout of Yemen, at the SHG Arena in the capital, Riyadh, as part of the sixth and final round of the group stage of the Gulf Champions League for Clubs.

Al-Laith enters this match defending its slim and complicated chances of securing a ticket to the semi-finals, as the team occupies the third place in the second group standings with only 4 points, collected from a series of four draws, compared to one loss. This is the same score as its Yemeni guest, which achieved one win and one draw, compared to three defeats.

Complex qualification calculations

Al Shabab's situation in the group has become precarious after their recent stumble against Oman's Al Nahda, who snatched a last-minute equalizer in the previous round. Consequently, Al Shabab's qualification now hinges on two crucial conditions: first, securing a victory tonight, and second, hoping for a favor from their rivals, namely, an Al Nahda loss to Qatar's Al Rayyan, who have already secured their place at the top of the group. Should Al Nahda win or even draw, Al Shabab's result will be irrelevant to their qualification calculations, placing the team under immense psychological pressure.

The desire to restore reputation

Beyond the numerical calculations, Al-Shabab seeks to redeem itself against Al-Tadhamon Hadramout, especially after the surprising and heavy defeat the team suffered in the first leg. The coaching staff and players will be focused on making amends with the fans and delivering a performance worthy of the club's name, while clinging to hope until the final minutes of the matches being played simultaneously.

Battalion of Stars and Experience

Al-Shabab are relying on a formidable squad of stars capable of making a difference in this challenging task, led by Belgian star Yannick Carrasco, Brazilian Carlos Junior, experienced goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, and Englishman Josh Brownhill. The list also includes prominent local players such as Hammam Al-Hamami, international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi, Mohammed Al-Shuwairikh, and Ali Al-Asmari, who bear the responsibility of guiding the team to safety.

The importance of the tournament and the regional context

This match takes on special significance as it revives the Gulf Champions League, one of the region's most prestigious club competitions. Saudi clubs consistently strive to reaffirm their regional dominance, making Al-Shabab's potential elimination from the group stage a highly undesirable outcome for their fans. Meanwhile, Al-Tadhamon Hadramout has delivered impressive performances considering their limited resources and challenging circumstances, and will aim to secure a positive result to add to their impressive record in the tournament, free from the pressure of qualification, which appears difficult for both sides.

Asian football fans will turn their attention to the Qatari capital, Doha, on Tuesday evening, as Al-Ittihad's first football team will be a tough guest for Al-Sadd in a highly anticipated match to be held at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, as part of the final round of the group stage (West Zone) in the AFC Champions League.

Al-Ittihad's historical dominance over Qatari clubs

Al-Ittihad enters this match armed with a long history of overwhelming dominance in its direct encounters with Qatari clubs, giving it a significant morale boost before kickoff. Statistics show that the two sides have met 12 times previously in various continental competitions, with Al-Ittihad clearly holding the advantage, having won 9 matches, drawn 1, and lost only 2. The "Dean's" attack has not only been prolific, but has also demonstrated a formidable scoring record, netting 44 goals against Qatari opponents while conceding only 11, reflecting the historical technical superiority that Al-Ittihad seeks to maintain today.

Qualification calculations and the battle for positions

In terms of the group standings, Al-Ittihad has already secured its place in the Round of 16, currently sitting in fifth place with 12 points from four wins and three losses. The Jeddah-based team aims for another victory today to boost its points tally and improve its position in the standings, thus ensuring a more favorable draw in the knockout stages. This is especially important after the tremendous morale boost the team received following its resounding 7-0 victory over Qatar's Al-Gharafa in the previous round, a result that served as a strong warning to all its rivals in the continent.

The dam is under pressure to decide

In contrast, Al Sadd of Qatar faces a more complicated situation, currently sitting in eighth place with eight points, accumulated from two wins, two draws, and three losses. Today's match is a lifeline for the Qatari team, as they must secure a victory to guarantee their qualification without relying on complex calculations or the results of other matches. Al Sadd will throw everything they have into the game, capitalizing on home advantage and the support of their fans, to achieve their objective and secure their third consecutive win in the tournament, thus salvaging their continental season.

The battalion of international stars face off

The match will feature a special clash between a host of top international stars recently recruited by Asian clubs, further enhancing the tournament's market value and technical prestige. Al-Ittihad's squad boasts a number of prominent names that the coach is counting on to secure victory, including the flying French winger Moussa Diaby, Malian midfielder Mamadou Doumbia, Portuguese talent Roger Fernandes, Brazilian midfield maestro Fabinho, Algerian playmaker Houssem Aouar, as well as the outstanding Serbian goalkeeper Rajkovic, Cameroonian Stefan Keller, and the prolific Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

On the other side, Al Sadd boasts a formidable lineup, featuring Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Claudinho, Paulo Otavio, Malian Mohamed Camara, and Spanish striker Rafa Mojica. The Qatari side also relies on its international stars, including Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif, the solid defender Boualem Khoukhi, and full-back Pedro Miguel, promising a high-caliber tactical and technical match befitting the conclusion of the group stage of Asia's premier club competition.