Al-Hilal coach Diaz: Flamengo were surprised by our skill and tactics

Al-Hilal coach Diaz: Flamengo were surprised by our skill and tactics
Coach Ramon Diaz celebrates Al-Hilal's famous win over Flamengo. (Twitter: @Alhilal_EN)
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Updated 08 February 2023

Al-Hilal coach Diaz: Flamengo were surprised by our skill and tactics

Al-Hilal coach Diaz: Flamengo were surprised by our skill and tactics
  • The Saudi and Asian champions overcame the Brazilian giants 3-2 to reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup on Feb. 11

Al-Hilal coach Ramon Diaz has expressed delight at reaching the FIFA Club World Cup 2022 final, after his team defeated Brazilian giants Flamengo 3-2 in their semifinal at Tangiers Stadium in Morocco.

“We are all happy because Al-Hilal is the largest club in Saudi Arabia, and we are proud to represent it and of the successes that we are achieving,” the Argentine said during the press conference after the match.

Salem Al-Dawsari gave Al-Hilal a fourth-minute lead from the penalty spot before Pedro equalized on 20 minutes. In stoppage time of the first half, Al-Dawsari scored his second spot-kick of the match to give the Saudi team the lead at the break.

Luciano Vietto extended Al-Hilal’s lead on 70 minutes, before Pedro scored a consolation goal for the Brazilians in stoppage time.

Asked whether tension in the Flamengo team helped Al-Hilal record their famous victory, he said: “Perhaps they were surprised by the players’ skills and our way of playing. In the first half, they only created one attack, and it was a very intense tactical match.”

Diaz highlighted the contribution of fellow Argentine Vietto, who won both penalties during the match. “Vietto was the playmaker and excels at perpetrating the opposition team. He is developing a lot and is very important to us.”

Flamengo were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Gerson was sent off after giving away the second penalty of the night. The Brazilian club’s coach complained about the refereeing in the match, but Diaz dismissed that as the reason for his side’s win.

“We should not focus on the refereeing, we should focus on the way we played,” he said. “We saw a strong team that could not reach our goal often, and this is evidence of the quality of our team’s tactics and players. We were playing one against one instead of three against three, and we played a great match and dominated for majority of its course.”


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.


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.


Sergio Perez wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position

Sergio Perez wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position
Updated 19 March 2023

Sergio Perez wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position

Sergio Perez wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position
  • Fernando Alonso finished third for the second consecutive race for what would have been his 100th career podium
  • Later handed a 10-second penalty for incorrectly serving an earlier penalty

JEDDAH: Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and Max Verstappen drove from 15th to second to give Red Bull a 1-2 finish Sunday in what is shaping up to be a runaway season for the reigning Formula One champions.
And there have only been two races so far.
“Nice job guys an excellent result for the team,” said Perez, who finished about 5 seconds ahead of Verstappen.
Through the first two races of the season it has been two Red Bull wins, two 1-2 finishes, and an air of desperation from everyone else on the grid.
Verstappen is chasing a third straight title and isn’t worried if it goes down to a straight fight between him and Perez.
“The best one will finish in front,” the Dutchman said.
Perez feels he’s yet to peak.
“I’m not sure it’s my best weekend with the team, Melbourne will be even better,” he said, looking ahead to the next race in Australia on April 2.
Fernando Alonso finished third for the second consecutive race for what would have been his 100th career podium. But he was later handed a 10-second penalty for incorrectly serving an earlier penalty and that dropped him to fourth.
But even as the Spaniard enjoys a renaissance with his new Aston Martin team, Alonso has acknowledged he had little chance at beating Red Bull.
Verstappen won a record 15 races last season and a second consecutive F1 title, and Perez added another two victories as the 17 total wins in 23 races easily gave Red Bull the constructors title. There have been no signs of an offseason drop in performance and George Russell, who moved up to third after the Alonso penalty on on Sunday, predicted after the season-opener that Red Bull would win every race this season.
“I was having fun out there and the car was feeling good,” Russell said after his 10th career podium. “I think it was harsh what happened to Fernando. But I’m happy to pick up the silverware.”
Lewis Hamilton finished fifth as Mercedes went third and fifth just three days after the seven-time F1 champion said the team needed three other organizations not to finish a race for Mercedes to have a shot to win.
“We are not where we want to be but we will get there,” Hamilton told his team.
The show on Sunday was Verstappen, who overcame a mechanical problem in qualifying that forced him to start 15th and quickly worked his way up the grid. The Dutchman set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap to retain his hold atop the F1 points standings.
“Great recovery, Max, that was a really good drive at the end,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner radioed Verstappen.
Verstappen felt the late push was worth the risk.
“I gave it a go at the end and luckily it worked out,” he said.
Red Bull has now finished 1-2 in three consecutive races dating to last year’s finale.
It was the fifth career win for Perez, who started from the pole for the second consecutive year at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. He was briefly leading the championship standings until Verstappen slipped ahead by logging the fastest lap.
“Let’s keep it up, let’s keep pushing,” said the Mexican.
Perez started on pole with Alonso on the front row alongside him and Alonso jumped out to a quick lead, but was promptly penalized for being in the improper starting position. He thought he served the five-second penalty, but the race stewards docked him another 10 seconds post podium celebration.
Russell said “common sense needs to be applied,” and Alonso was annoyed with governing body FIA.
“I think it’s more of a FIA poor show today more than disappointment for ourselves,” Alonso told broadcaster Sky. “You can’t apply the penalty 35 laps after the pit stop. They had enough time to inform us.”
Perez soon regained the lead while Verstappen and Charles Leclerc — starting from 12th because of a 10-place grid penalty — chewed up the cars ahead of them.
When both Ferrari’s pitted for new tires, Verstappen was in fourth.
The 6.2-kilometer (3.8-mile) circuit beside the Red Sea is the quickest street track in F1 with average speeds exceeding 250 kmh (160 mph), which suited Verstappen. It took him only a few seconds to pass Russell and Alonso didn’t last long, either, making it a Red Bull shootout.
Perez held firm.
Ferrari had another race to forget, with Carlos Sainz Jr. placing sixth ahead of Charles Leclerc in seventh. At least Leclerc finished, after retiring in Bahrain, but he wasn’t happy.
“Being behind like this is really (expletive), I don’t know what to do,” Leclerc said as he trundled behind traffic.
Frenchmen Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were eighth and ninth for Alpine with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen in 10th.
Alonso’s teammate Lance Stroll retired on Lap 18, leading to a safety car restart that suited Verstappen.
Alex Albon retired his Williams and his teammate Logan Sargeant, the rookie American driver, started last and finished 16th. McLaren struggled again with Oscar Piastri 15th and Lando Norris down in 17th.
“Tough race after an unlucky start with damage to both cars on the opening lap. Made it too difficult to turn things around. But we tried hard,” McLaren boss Zak Brown tweeted. “Time to get our season back on track in Australia.”

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Rookie Porsche Sprint Challenge winner Prince Saud excited about future of Saudi motorsport

Rookie Porsche Sprint Challenge winner Prince Saud excited about future of Saudi motorsport
Updated 19 March 2023

Rookie Porsche Sprint Challenge winner Prince Saud excited about future of Saudi motorsport

Rookie Porsche Sprint Challenge winner Prince Saud excited about future of Saudi motorsport
  • Prince Saud said he was very impressed with how motorsport in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly and wants to see more national talent involved

JEDDAH: Although the third Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has given motorsport fans three days of adrenaline-packed racing, one of the other races that took place at the Jeddah Corniche this weekend was the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East series.

Rookie winner, Prince Saud Bin Mu’tasim, told Arab News how excited he was with his victory.

“I just came out of the race and I’m full of adrenaline, I won my rookie championship in GT3 and Porsche Sprint Challenge with Saudi Racing team,” he said.

After last season in the GT4, he added that this year he and teammate Khalid Al-Ahmadi were both rookies in GT3, which has a more sophisticated car.

“We’ve been competing all season again like we did last year, and it’s a really good feeling to win in GT3 in front of my home crowd, in front of Formula One, and to get this exposure — it’s really amazing,” he said.

Prince Saud added that preparing for the races can be very stressful because one has to compete to impress.

“You need to impress potential sponsors, and potential growth in the sport is really stressful because any mistake you make — and especially specifically on a track like Jeddah where there’s a lot of walls, and it’s very fast — you don’t have time to make mistakes, so it was really stressful preparing for it,” he said.

Prince Saud also said he was very impressed with how motorsport in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly and wants to see more national talent involved.

“Anyone who’s interested in getting into motorsports, I should advise them to start in karting, and they will have a bright future hopefully,” he said.

The newly-crowned rookie champion thanked Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, and the president of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, Prince Khalid bin Sultan, for all the support they have been giving Saudi racing. 

“I hope we will have a brighter future in the team and race and compete in Europe as well,” he said.