Messi joins 100 club as Argentina streak continues after beating Jamaica

Messi joins 100 club as Argentina streak continues after beating Jamaica
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi shoots to score during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against Jamaica on Tuesday in Harrison, N.J. (AP)
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Updated 29 September 2022

Messi joins 100 club as Argentina streak continues after beating Jamaica

Messi joins 100 club as Argentina streak continues after beating Jamaica
  • Messi’s goals capped an emphatic win for the South Americans, who have now gone 35 games unbeaten in a streak stretching back to 2019

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY: Lionel Messi marked his 100th international victory with two goals as Argentina edged closer to Italy’s world record unbeaten streak with a 3-0 defeat of Jamaica in a World Cup warmup friendly in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi took his international goals tally to 90 in 164 appearances after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Red Bull Arena.

Messi’s goals capped an emphatic win for the South Americans, who have now gone 35 games unbeaten in a streak stretching back to 2019 — just two shy of Italy’s world record unbeaten run of 37 set between 2018 and 2012.

Messi, who also scored twice during a friendly win over Honduras in Miami on Friday, delighted the crowd with an electrifying cameo after coming on in the 56th minute for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.

He bagged his first of the night in the 86th minute, darting forward before caressing a shot into the bottom corner past Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake.

The 35-year-old seven-time Ballon D’Or winner then produced an impish second goal, craftily curling a low shot underneath the Jamaican wall into the bottom corner from a free-kick.

Messi’s presence left the crowd in a frenzy. On three different occasions spectators sprinted onto the pitch in an effort to get close to the Argentinian icon.

One shirtless fan attempted to get Messi to autograph his back before he was bundled to the floor by security staff.

Messi’s late double crowned another assured performance from Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina, who are rapidly emerging as one of the favorites for the World Cup in Qatar in November.

The Argentinians had dominated throughout a one-sided first half, and took the lead on 13 minutes when Martinez jinked past Jamaica’s Damion Lowe and cut back for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, who tucked away a low finish from close range.

Alvarez almost had a second soon afterwards but curled his shot just wide.

Midfielder Guido Rodriguez also went close, but was unable to direct his volley at the back post on target, instead shooting over the bar.

Giovani Lo Celso also threatened with a long-range effort that flew just wide of the top corner in the 33rd minute.


Ancelotti: ‘We did not deserve to lose’ El Clasico

Ancelotti: ‘We did not deserve to lose’ El Clasico
Updated 20 March 2023

Ancelotti: ‘We did not deserve to lose’ El Clasico

Ancelotti: ‘We did not deserve to lose’ El Clasico
  • Real Madrid opened the scoring through an own goal by Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo in the ninth minute
  • Barcelona replied through goals by Sergi Roberto and Frank Kessie in the 45th and 90th minutes

RIYADH: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his disappointment after a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico, saying, “We did not deserve to lose.”

Real Madrid opened the scoring through an own goal by Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo in the ninth minute.

Barcelona replied through goals by Sergi Roberto and Frank Kessie in the 45th and 90th minutes.

Barcelona jumped to 68 points in the league table, 12 points ahead of Real Madrid, who lie second.

Ancelotti said at the press conference: “The points difference is bigger now and it has become more difficult, but we will do our best until the last match. Honestly, we didn’t deserve to lose. We tried our best, we played well and scored a goal. We were about to win the match.”

He added: “We are sad, but proud of the match we played, We tried everything, We haven’t won it due an off-side, we still have doubts about it, and we will return to Madrid with those doubts still in our minds.”


Saudi archery team wins silver at Asia Cup 2023

Saudi archery team wins silver at Asia Cup 2023
The trio of Rashid Al-Subaie, Abdulrahman Al-Mousa and Mansour Alawi represented Saudi Arabia at the tournament. supplied
Updated 20 March 2023

Saudi archery team wins silver at Asia Cup 2023

Saudi archery team wins silver at Asia Cup 2023
  • The greens lost the final to the Indian team, with Australia placing third

Riyadh: The Saudi archery team won a silver medal in the men’s category of the Asia Cup 2023 archery stage one world ranking tournament that concluded on Sunday in Taipei, Taiwan.

The greens lost the final to the Indian team, with Australia placing third.

The trio of Rashid Al-Subaie, Abdulrahman Al-Mousa and Mansour Alawi represented Saudi Arabia at the tournament.

Mishaal Al-Hokair, president of the Saudi Arabian Archery Federation, said in a statement that the support of Kingdom’s leadership has contributed to Saudi sporting achievements.

“Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports, and Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, vice-president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, have always been supportive and motivating to the sports sector and athletes,” he added, commending the two officials for their work.

The national archery team is set to return to the Kingdom on Tuesday, when the federation will organize a special ceremony to celebrate their medal.


Team of the week for Roshn Saudi League round 21

Team of the week for Roshn Saudi League round 21
Moroccan star of Al-Ittihad rated 9.8. supplied
Updated 20 March 2023

Team of the week for Roshn Saudi League round 21

Team of the week for Roshn Saudi League round 21
  • Hamdallah is now the top scorer of the season by 15 goals so far, keeping Al-Nassr’s Talisca one goal behind

Riyadh: Abderrazak Hamdallah has been voted Roshn Saudi League player of the week by statistical website Sofascore after scoring a hat-trick in round 21 of the season.

The 32-year-old Moroccan star of Al-Ittihad rated 9.8 after scoring three out of five goals in the 5-1 victory against Al-Fateh.

Hamdallah is now the top scorer of the season by 15 goals so far, keeping Al-Nassr’s Talisca one goal behind.

Goalkeeper Martin Campana of Al-Batin was the only star of his category.

Hassan Al-Tambakti from Al-Shabab, Oscar Duarte from Al-Wehda and Ali Al-Salem from Al-Adalah were the best defenders.

In midfield, Andre Carrillo of Al-Hilal, Igor Coronado from Al-Ittihad, Lucas Souza from Al-Khaleej, Abdullah Al-Ammar from Damac and Abdulrahman Al-Obud from Al-Ittihad ranked top of their categories. 

Odion Ighalo of Al-Hilal and Hamdallah were the best performers in the forward line.


Sharjah Self-Defense victorious at AJP Tour Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Sharjah Self-Defense victorious at AJP Tour Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 20 March 2023

Sharjah Self-Defense victorious at AJP Tour Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Sharjah Self-Defense victorious at AJP Tour Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took second place while Al-Ain was third

ABU DHABI: The AJP Tour Abu Dhabi International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship ended at Mubadala Arena on Sunday with Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club the big winners, forcing Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club to settle for second and Al-Ain to take third.

The event was organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, or UAEJJF, in association with Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro.

Mansour Al-Dhaheri, member of the board of directors of the UAEJJF, said that the AJP championships were on a par with the highest international standards at the organizational and technical levels.

“As anticipated, the AJP Tour Abu Dhabi International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship was a great success, especially in terms of attendance since it was able to attract a good number of seasoned stars. The event was also successful in giving hundreds of male and female players from about 50 nations a highly competitive environment, demonstrating that the UAE is the home of champions and their first choice of destination for achieving glory.”

Al-Dhaheri said that the competition offered UAE athletes and their competitors a favorable environment to prepare for international and continental contests.

Mohammed Alswaidi, of the Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, who scooped gold in the Men’s Brown/Professional/69kg division, said: “Winning a medal means the excellent training I have done has paid off. We are eager to make the most of all the resources the UAEJJF Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the clubs to which we belong have made available to us. We also believe that every competition presents an opportunity for us to repay them and make the nation proud.”

Lilit Danielyan, from Legacy Jiu-Jitsu Armenia, grabbed bronze in the Women’s Purple/Professional/55kg, division. She said: “I have heard a lot of good things about the Abu Dhabi championships, but today I actually got to experience them. It is the perfect destination for those hoping to fulfill their aspirations in this sport. This championship is an example of superb planning and hosting that meets the highest international standards.”


Floyd Mayweather suggests he could take part in Saudi exhibition fight

Floyd Mayweather suggests he could take part in Saudi exhibition fight
Updated 20 March 2023

Floyd Mayweather suggests he could take part in Saudi exhibition fight

Floyd Mayweather suggests he could take part in Saudi exhibition fight
  • Former UFC champion Jose Aldo Jr. had also revealed he was in talks with Mayweather for a bout later this year in the Kingdom

Former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather has hinted he may soon lace up a pair of boxing gloves in Saudi Arabia for an exhibition bout.

“(Boxing is) also growing in Saudi Arabia. I had a chance to go to Saudi Arabia five or six years ago. And we talked about me fighting over in Saudi Arabia. Actually, I believe I am fighting in Saudi Arabia also,” Mayweather said.

Mayweather made the claim while providing ringside commentary for a boxing tournament in the UAE. The card featured a heavyweight clash between America’s Jarrell Miller and Australia’s Lucas Browne.

During the same broadcast, Mayweather spoke positively about Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Earlier this year, the American boxer announced he would participate in five exhibition bouts. This exhibition world tour was set to include South Korea, Germany, Japan, Australia and the US. He did not mention an exhibition in Saudi Arabia.

However, last month former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo Jr. reportedly revealed that he was in talks with Mayweather for a bout later this year in Saudi Arabia. Aldo Jr. is 36, while Mayweather is 46 years old. Aldo Jr. made his professional boxing debut in February this year in his native Brazil.

Over his 27-year career, Mayweather has flirted with the idea of adding Saudi Arabia to the list of countries in which he wants to fight.

Mayweather posted a video online in 2019 in which he announced he was coming to Saudi Arabia to discuss the Kingdom hosting a rematch with Manny Pacquiao, as previously reported by Arab News.

 

 

Mayweather had emerged victorious when he faced long-time rival Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2015 in what was considered the fight of the century. Mayweather fought twice more as a professional boxer, including a stoppage win over former UFC star Connor McGregor before retiring from boxing in 2017. He compiled an undefeated record of 50 wins in as many bouts.

Since then, he has competed in six exhibition fights. Three of those bouts ended with Mayweather stopping his opponents. Most recently, Mayweather appeared in London on Feb. 25 for an exhibition with British TV star Aaron Chalmer.