Al-Hilal hammer Ronaldo, Al-Nassr to retain Saudi Super Cup

Al-Hilal crushed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr 4-1 in the Saudi Super Cup final on Saturday. (X/@AlHilal_FC)
Al-Hilal crushed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr 4-1 in the Saudi Super Cup final on Saturday. (X/@AlHilal_FC)
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Updated 20 August 2024
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Al-Hilal hammer Ronaldo, Al-Nassr to retain Saudi Super Cup

Al-Hilal hammer Ronaldo, Al-Nassr to retain Saudi Super Cup
  • The Portuguese superstar opened the scoring for Al-Nassr just before half-time
  • Second half blitz from Al-Hilal secured the victory

RIYADH: Al-Hilal crushed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr 4-1 in the Saudi Super Cup final on Saturday.

The Portuguese superstar opened the scoring for Al-Nassr just before half-time to give his team the lead at the break.

But a second half blitz from Al-Hilal blew their Riyadh rivals out of the water and secured the season-opening trophy for a second year running.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic got the Blues level ten minutes into the second half after an assist from Serbian teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The former Fulham man got a brace of his own, scoring twice in the 63rd and 69th minutes to extend the lead to 3-1.

Brazilian Malcom made sure of the victory with 20 minutes of the match left to cap a miserable night for Ronaldo and his team, extending the former Real Madrid and Manchester United man’s wait for a trophy in Saudi Arabia.

He appeared to storm off the pitch at full-time and not go up to the podium to receive his runners-up medal.

 


MOD UAE dominate opening day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

MOD UAE dominate opening day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 16 sec ago
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MOD UAE dominate opening day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

MOD UAE dominate opening day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Round 3 No-Gi takes place from Sept. 27-29 at Al-Bait Metwahid in Sharjah

SHARJAH: MOD UAE emerged as the frontrunner on the opening day of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Round 3 No-Gi, which is being held from Sept. 27-29 at Al-Bait Metwahid in Sharjah.

Friday’s action saw athletes from the Adults and Masters divisions take to the mat, with MOD UAE competitors delivering commanding performances to firmly establish their lead. Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club followed closely in second place, while Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club secured third spot.

The championship continues over the weekend, with U-12 and U-14 athletes competing on the second day, followed by the U-16 and Youth categories on the third. The competition is part of a five-round series held across the Emirates throughout the season.

Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a great platform to promote jiu-jitsu and support its growth among different categories of athletes. It shows our ongoing efforts to achieve excellence and reflects the strong support from our leadership to advance various sports, especially jiu-jitsu, as it plays a key role in promoting values like determination, persistence and patience.”

He added: “We’re pleased to see the large turnout and strong support from the audience, which has added excitement to the championship and motivated the athletes to give their all to win. It also highlights the special place jiu-jitsu holds in everyone’s hearts.”

Haitham Hanawi of MOD UAE, who won gold in the Men’s Adults/Masters Brown/Black 56kg category, said: “Competing in this championship was tough, especially with the different strategies needed for No-Gi competitions. I won gold thanks to the hard training and support from my teammates and coaches. The matches were difficult, but it was a great way to test my skills. I believe this tournament will keep helping jiu-jitsu grow in the UAE.”


Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla

Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla
Updated 3 min 29 sec ago
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Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla

Champions Al-Nassr kick off new Saudi Women’s Premier League with win over AlUla
  • Al-Shabab overcame Al-Taraji 4-0 while Al-Ahli comprehensively beat Al-Amal 6-2

RIYADH: Reigning champions Al-Nassr kicked of their defense of the Saudi Women’s Premier League title with a 3-1 win over AlUla in Riyadh on Friday night.

It was one of three matches that got the 2024-25 season underway, with AlUla shocking the home team when they took the lead through Jaine Lemke on 23 minutes. However, Clara Luvanga equalized for Al-Nassr five minutes later to ensure the teams went into half-time on level terms.

Second half goals from Ruth Kipoyi (52) and Lina Boussaha (64) completed Al-Nassr’s comeback.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabab defeated Al-Taraji 4-0 at Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Al-Qatif with goals from Fatima Al-Sadah (9), Nataša Andonova (40, 63) and Al-Bandari Mubarak (76).

In Friday’s third match, Al-Ahli completed a comprehensive 6-2 win over Al-Amal at King Fahad Sport City Stadium in Taif to top the table with two more matches remaining in the opening round.

Al-Ahli’s goals came from a hat-trick by Naomie Kabakaba (11, 18, 87) and one each by Elodie Nakkach (45), Ayah Al-Majali (64) and Alice Kusi (71). Al-Amal’s consolation strikes came from Mariam Sidibe (74) and Stephanie Gbogou Tape (85).

On Saturday night, Al-Hilal will welcome Eastern Flames to Inaya Medical Colleges Stadium in Riyadh, while Al-Ittihad will play host to Al-Qadsiah in Jeddah.


Al-Ittihad beat Khaleej to go top of Saudi Pro League

Al-Ittihad beat Khaleej to go top of Saudi Pro League
Updated 16 min 25 sec ago
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Al-Ittihad beat Khaleej to go top of Saudi Pro League

Al-Ittihad beat Khaleej to go top of Saudi Pro League
  • Angelo Gabriel and Cristiano Ronaldo score as Al-Nassr defeat Al-Wehda 2-0, while Qadsiah overcome Al-Ahli by a single goal

RIYADH: Al-Ittihad leapfrogged Al-Ahli to claim top spot in the Saudi Pro League after a 4-1 win over Al-Khaleej on Friday night, with the reigning champions still to play on Saturday.

The visitors shocked the home crowd by taking a fifth-minute lead thanks to Khaled Narey, which they held until half-time.

But after the break Al-Ittihad rediscovered the form that saw them beat Al-Wehda 7-1 two weeks ago and scored four times in a dominant second half performance.

Karim Benzem kick-started the comeback four minutes after the break and there were further goals from Houssem Amour (56), Steven Bergwijn (68) and Hamed Al-Ghamdi (stoppage time).

The Jeddah club, champions two seasons ago, now sit top of the SPL standings with 12 points from five matches but will drop to second if Al-Hilal — with a perfect record after four matches — get at least a draw against Al-Kholood at home on Saturday night.

Meanwhile Al-Nassr managed to record their second win in a row for the first time this season when they beat Al-Wehda 2-0 in Riyadh. Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring on 41 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo wrapped up the win with a penalty in the 56th minute. Al-Nassr now sit in third place with 11 points.

In Friday’s other match, a difficult week for Al-Ahli — which saw them suffer a shock exit in the King’s Cup — got worse. They lost 1-0 at the hands of newly promoted Al-Qadsiah, thanks to a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty on 43 minutes, his first SPL goal for the Aramco-owned club.


Rain delays day two start of India-Bangladesh Test

Rain delays day two start of India-Bangladesh Test
Updated 28 September 2024
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Rain delays day two start of India-Bangladesh Test

Rain delays day two start of India-Bangladesh Test
  • Bangladesh were 107-3 after being invited to bat on opening day of second Test 
  • Visitors lost first Test to India after shocking Pakistan 2-0 earlier this month

Kanpur, India: Rain on Saturday in the northern Indian city of Kanpur delayed the start of the second day’s play in the weather-hit second Test between India and Bangladesh.

Only 35 overs were possible on the opening day with Bangladesh 107-3 after being invited to bat first by India, who lead the two-match series 1-0.

Morning showers made the stadium workers cover the entire ground and more rain is forecast throughout the day.

Bad light took the players off the ground nine overs after lunch on Friday with Mominul Haque, on 40, Mushfiqur Rahim, on six, batting.

Heavy downpours followed on a day which started one hour late due to overnight rain, with the ground covered and officials called stumps after just 166 minutes of play.

India fast bowler Akash Deep removed the Bangladesh openers inside the first hour of play. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sent back skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, for 31, in the third over after lunch.


Swiss teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer dies after crash at worlds

Swiss teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer dies after crash at worlds
Updated 28 September 2024
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Swiss teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer dies after crash at worlds

Swiss teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer dies after crash at worlds
  • Swiss Cycling said on X: “Our hearts are broken, we have no words.
  • The 18-year-old fell heavily competing in the women’s junior road race in driving rain in Zurich and was airlifted to hospital in a “very critical” condition

ZURICH: Swiss teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer died on Friday a day after suffering a serious head injury in a crash at the world championships.

The 18-year-old fell heavily competing in the women’s junior road race in driving rain in Zurich and was airlifted to hospital in a “very critical” condition.

“Muriel Furrer sadly passed away today at Zurich University Hospital,” cycling’s governing body, the UCI, said in a statement.

“It is with great sadness that the UCI and the Organizing Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships today learned the tragic news.

“The international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her.”

Furrer won silver in both the junior time trial and road race at this year’s Swiss nationals.

Swiss Cycling said on X: “Our hearts are broken, we have no words.

“We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness.”

UCI president David Lappartient said he was “deeply saddened” at the news. “Our condolences are with her family, friends and teammates in these difficult times.”

Furrer fell in wet conditions during the junior road race.

According to Swiss media, tragedy struck in a forest above Kusnacht, on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, and it took many minutes before the rider was discovered.

“We don’t have any reliable information at the moment,” Olivier Senn of the World Championship organizing committee told a press conference on Friday, when asked about the possibility that it took a long time to find Furrer.

She lived in the community of Egg, only 10 minutes from the supposed accident site.

“Investigations by the competent authorities are under way,” the UCI said on Friday morning, adding that the world championships would continue with the women’s and men’s races scheduled on Saturday and Sunday.

“The World Championship flags will be flown at half-mast for the rest of the competition, and the protocol ceremonies have been scaled back. The UCI gala that was due to take place on Saturday evening has been canceled,” said Senn.

The world road races, of varying lengths depending on the age categories, end on a final circuit in and around Zurich and take several winding roads and descents which can be dangerous, especially in the rain.

Last year, Swiss cycling was hit by the death of Gino Maeder, 26, after a freak fall coming downhill at high speed during the Tour of Switzerland.

In July, Norwegian rider Andre Drege, 25, died after a fall, again on a descent, during the fourth stage of the Tour of Austria.

The first half of the season also witnessed several serious crashes involving star riders such as Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel.

Many riders have said that the increased efficiency and speed of modern bicycles is making the sport more dangerous.