Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh
PFL MENA 3 playoffs will take place in Riyadh on Sept. 20. (PFL)
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Updated 28 August 2024
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Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani to headline PFL MENA postseason action in Riyadh
  • The Kingdom’s leading MMA fighter faces Abdelrahman Alhyasat in the Featherweight Semifinal Main Event
  • Jarrah Al-Selawe meets Omar El-Dafrawy in the welterweight semifinal co-main event

RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League has announced the semifinal matchups set to take place at PFL MENA 3, which is being held at Boulevard City on Sept 20.

Fighters in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions will compete for a spot in the PFL MENA Finals and will look to move one win away from becoming among the inaugural PFL MENA champions.

In the main event, Saudi Arabia’s own Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-1) takes on Jordan’s Abdelrahman Alhyasat (4-0) in the featherweight semifinals. Meanwhile, the co-main event will feature PFL veteran and former two-division champion Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-6) of Jordan taking on Egypt’s Omar El Dafrawy (11-6) in a welterweight semifinal bout.

PFL MENA 3 will air live in primetime on MBC Action, with the free-to-air broadcasts accessible to fans across the region. In addition to PFL MENA, MBC Action will air the PFL Global Season, PFL Europe, Bellator Champions Series and PFL’s Pay-Per-View Superfight Division events.

Other semifinals matchup will feature Algeria’s Souhil Tairi (7-4-1) taking on Mohsen Mohammadseifi (5-1) of Iran in the lightweight division, while Iraq’s Ali Taleb (10-1) meets Jordan’s Jalal Al Daaja (11-8) in the bantamweight division.

Jerome Mazet, general manager of PFL MENA, said: “We’re very excited to be heading into the playoffs of the inaugural PFL MENA season. Fighters in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions are competing for a spot in the finals and are looking to become the first PFL MENA champions. We’re building stars here, and we can’t wait to see who makes it to the finale.”

The complete PFL MENA 2 fight card is as follows:

Featherweight semifinal bout:

Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-1) vs. Abdelrahman Alhyasat (4-0)

Welterweight semifinal bout:

Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-6) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (11-6)

Welterweight semifinal bout:

Mohammad Alaqraa (6-0) vs. Badreddine Diani (8-3)

Lightweight semifinal bout:

Souhil Tairi (7-4-1) vs. Mohsen Mohammadseifi (5-1)

Bantamweight semifinal bout:

Ali Taleb (10-1) vs. Jalal Al Daaja (11-8)

Featherweight semifinal bout:

Islam Reda (11-1) vs. Marouaune Bellagouit (5-0)

Bantamweight semifinal bout:

Elias Boudegzdame (19-8) vs. Rachid El Hazoume (14-3)

Lightweight semifinal bout:

Georges Eid (9-4, 1NC) vs. Omar Reguigui (4-0, 1NC)

  • Georges Eid will face Omar Reguigui, replacing Abdullah Saleem who didn’t pass the in-competition drug test.

Alternate featherweight showcase bout:

Adam Meskini (8-3) vs. Yazeed Hasanain (3-1)


ICC Women's T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka

ICC Women's T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka

ICC Women's T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka
  • Pakistan to feature against arch-rivals India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Oct. 6 
  • Semi-finals set to take place on Oct. 17 and 18 while winner of series to be decided on Oct 20

ISLAMABAD: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will begin today, Thursday, in the UAE with the Pakistan women’s team under the leadership of Fatima Sana taking on Sri Lanka in their opening match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Ten teams are featured in the 18-day tournament, with the Pakistan women’s team slotted in Group ‘A’ alongside Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa and the West Indies are in Group ‘B’.

“We have prepared well for the mega event,” Captain Fatima Sana said in a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The series against South Africa at home before coming to the UAE helped us know our strengths and allowed our batters to show their form.

“The two practice games have also helped us in assessing the conditions here and now has provided us with clarity regarding the right combination of players in the tournament.” 

The PCB said Pakistan would feature against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Oct. 6 and then be in action against defending champions Australia on Oct. 11 at the same venue. Their last group match will be against New Zealand on Oct. 14.

As per the format of the tournament, the top two sides from each group will qualify for the semifinals set to take place on Oct. 17 and 18 while the winner of the tournament will be decided on Oct 20. 

Pakistan have featured in two warm-up games against Scotland and Bangladesh prior to the start of the tournament and also took part in various practice sessions to acclimatize to the conditions.

15-member squad for the tournament:

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan

Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)

Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani


Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield

Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield
Updated 03 October 2024
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Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield

Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield
  • Messi made it 2-0, taking advantage of a poorly assembled wall to curl a laser-precision free-kick into the corner past the stationary Columbus keeper Patrick Schulte
  • The champions of MLS is determined by the winner of the MLS Cup playoffs — where Eastern Conference rivals the Crew and Miami could meet again

WASHINGTON: Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat the defending Major League Soccer champions the Columbus Crew 3-2 to clinch the Supporters’ Shield awarded for the best regular season record.

Messi had been subdued until the 45th minute when he put Inter ahead — chesting down a long ball into the box and getting a lucky bounce off Crew defender Malte Amundsen before poking home.

Minutes later, Messi made it 2-0, taking advantage of a poorly assembled wall to curl a laser-precision free-kick into the corner past the stationary Columbus keeper Patrick Schulte.

But 20 seconds after the start of the second half, Columbus pulled a goal back when the ball fell to Diego Rossi just inside the box and he cleverly curled his shot into the far corner.

Straight from the restart, Columbus gifted Miami a third when Schulte raced off his line but with defender Rudy Camacho in his way, he dropped the ball to Luis Suarez who headed into the unguarded goal.

The Crew battled back again though and made it 3-2 through a Cucho Hernandez penalty after Noah Allen handled in the box.

But once again, the momentum Columbus had gained was lost when Camacho was sent off for a second yellow card after a studs up challenge on Federico Redondo.

Seven minutes from the end though, the Crew had a glorious chance to grab a point — and deny Miami their celebration — when a penalty was awarded for handball against Ian Fray after a VAR review.

But this time Colombian Hernandez’s penalty was weak and Miami keeper Drake Callender dived to his right and saved.

The champions of MLS is determined by the winner of the MLS Cup playoffs — where Eastern Conference rivals the Crew and Miami could meet again.


NBA legend Michael Jordan files anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR

NBA legend Michael Jordan files anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR
Updated 03 October 2024
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NBA legend Michael Jordan files anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR

NBA legend Michael Jordan files anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR
  • The legal fight in the most popular form of US auto racing had six-time NBA champion Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports jointly filing against France and NASCAR
  • The suit argues the closed-cockpit stock car racing circuit and its leaders have used anti-competitive practices to prevent fair competition

WASHINGTON: An auto racing team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan filed an anti-trust lawsuit on Wednesday against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and its chief executive Jim France.

The legal fight in the most popular form of US auto racing had six-time NBA champion Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports jointly filing against France and NASCAR in the Western District of North Carolina at Charlotte, where former Chicago Bulls star Jordan, 61, is a part-owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.

“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor and that will to win is what drives me and the entire 23XI team each and every week out on the track,” Jordan said in a statement.

“I love the sport of racing and the passion of our fans, but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans.

“Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.”

The suit argues the closed-cockpit stock car racing circuit and its leaders have used anti-competitive practices to prevent fair competition.

“We share a passion for racing, the thrill of competition, and winning. Off the racetrack, we share a belief that change is necessary for the sport we love,” the teams said in a joint statement.

“Together, we brought this anti-trust case so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in ways that will benefit teams, drivers, sponsors, and, most importantly, fans.”

According to the lawsuit, NASCAR and the France family operate without transparency, stifle competition, and control the sport of stock car racing in ways that unfairly benefit them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.

The teams accuse NASCAR of such anti-competitive practices as buying most of the top racetracks exclusive to NASCAR races, imposing exclusivity deals on NASCAR-sanctioned tracks, acquiring stock car competitor Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), preventing teams from participating in other stock car races and forcing teams to buy their parts from single-source suppliers chosen by NASCAR.

“No other major professional sport in North America is run by a single family that enriches themselves through these kinds of unchecked monopolistic practices,” the teams said in a statement.

Front Row and 23XI did not sign recently updated NASCAR charter agreements, claiming the terms were unfair to teams.

“After more than two years of attempted negotiations over the 2025 agreements, during which NASCAR continually stonewalled and refused to engage constructively, we concluded that litigation was the only way to address the anti-competitive practices of NASCAR and the France family,” the teams said.

The teams plan to file a preliminary injunction to allow the teams to race in NASCAR next year while pursuing anti-trust litigation.

Denny Hamlin, a 54-time NASCAR winner as a driver and a part-owner of 23XI Racing, said not all teams share fairly in NASCAR’s success.

“Everyone who invests in making the sport a success should share fairly in that success,” Hamlin said. “With the right changes we can certainly make that a reality in racing.”


Knicks get Karl-Anthony Towns from T-wolves for Randle in major NBA deal

Knicks get Karl-Anthony Towns from T-wolves for Randle in major NBA deal
Updated 03 October 2024
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Knicks get Karl-Anthony Towns from T-wolves for Randle in major NBA deal

Knicks get Karl-Anthony Towns from T-wolves for Randle in major NBA deal
  • The three-team deal saw the Knicks also obtain the draft rights to James Nnaji from the Charlotte Hornets
  • Knicks also sent Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round pick to Minnesota and Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr. and two future second-round picks to Charlotte

NEW YORK: Karl-Anthony Towns was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to New York in a three-team NBA trade on Wednesday that sent Julius Randle from the Knicks to the T-wolves in return.

The three-team deal saw the Knicks also obtain the draft rights to James Nnaji from the Charlotte Hornets while also sending Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round pick to Minnesota and Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr. and two future second-round picks to Charlotte.

Towns, a 7-foot (2.13m) center, is a four-time NBA All-Star who sparked the T-Wolves into the Western Conference finals last season for the first time in 20 years.

“We’re beyond excited to welcome Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks,” team president Leon Rose said. “Karl-Anthony brings a skillset that is unique to the game of basketball. He possesses a blend of playmaking, shooting, rebounding and defending that in combination with his size allows him to compete at a level that is rare in this league.

“Karl-Anthony has demonstrated throughout his career to be a high caliber player and person on and off the court who will complement the type of team and culture we continue to build in New York.”

Towns, 28, has averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 blocked shots a game over nine NBA seasons, all with the Timberwolves.

“To the Timberwolves Family: Nine years ago, I arrived in Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home, and its people would become my family,” Towns posted on social media.

“Your love, support, and unwavering loyalty have fueled my journey and inspired me to be the best player I could be. Thank you to my teammates, coaches, and the entire Timberwolves organization for the countless opportunities and experiences. I’ll cherish the friendships I’ve made and the battles we’ve fought together.

“To the incredible fans, your support has meant the world to me. It gave me strength on and off the court. I’ll never forget it. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything.”

Randle, a three-time NBA All-Star forward, helped the Knicks reach the playoffs in three of the past four seasons. He has averaged 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 10 NBA seasons, the past five with the Knicks.

“Julius worked tirelessly day in and day out to represent the Knicks organization with grit, grace and tremendous skill,” Rose said. “Julius played a major role in establishing the foundation and culture of our team and we cannot thank Julius enough for what he did.”

Nnaji, a 20-year-old Nigerian guard, spent the past three seasons with Barcelona of the Spanish league, averaging 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds over 110 games.

DiVincenzo, a 27-year-old guard, has spent six seasons in the NBA with Milwaukee, Sacramento, Golden State and New York, averaging 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals. He was part of Golden State’s 2021 NBA championship team.


Mbappé can’t rescue Real Madrid in Champions League loss to Lille

Mbappé can’t rescue Real Madrid in Champions League loss to Lille
Updated 03 October 2024
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Mbappé can’t rescue Real Madrid in Champions League loss to Lille

Mbappé can’t rescue Real Madrid in Champions League loss to Lille

Kylian Mbappé came off the bench but couldn’t prevent defending champion Real Madrid from losing 1-0 at unheralded Lille in the revamped Champions League on Wednesday.
With Mbappé a substitute after a minor hamstring injury, the opening goal came from Canada striker Jonathan David ‘s penalty deep into first-half stoppage time. A video review ruled that midfielder Eduardo Camavinga handled the ball.
David scored a hat trick last weekend and shot confidently past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois. Mbappé came on in the 57th.
It was Madrid’s first loss in the competition since a 4-0 hammering by Manchester City in the 2023 semifinal return leg.
Brazil teenager Endrick became the youngest Champions League starter for Madrid at 18 years, 73 days old. He surpassed the mark set by former Madrid great Raúl González, who was 18 years, 78 days old when he faced Ajax in 1995.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot got his first taste of a European night at Anfield and saw his team beat Bologna 2-0, thanks to goals from midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and prolific forward Mohamed Salah.
Substitute Jhon Duran scored a late winner to give Aston Villa another 1-0 win against Bayern Munich.
When the sides met in the 1982 European Cup final, Villa won 1-0 in a big upset. Prince William was born that year, and he was cheering in the Villa Park crowd when Duran pounced late on.
Coach Unai Emery sent the 20-year-old Duran on in the 70th and the Colombia forward — who has made a habit of scoring goals from the bench — did it again with a brilliant left-footed effort from around 25 meters to beat Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Juventus had goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio sent off in the 59th for a handball yet still won 3-2 at Leipzig.
Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko scored both goals for Leipzig but Serbia’s Dusan Vlahovic did the same for 10-man Juve before Francisco Conceição netted in the 82nd.
OTHER MATCHES
Earlier, Atalanta and Feyenoord got their first wins in the competition’s second round of matches.
Italian side Atalanta coasted to a 3-0 win over Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk, Dutch club Feyenoord secured a gritty 3-2 win at tournament newcomer Girona.
Albanian Berat Djimsiti, Nigerian Ademola Lookman, and Italian Raoul Bellanova scored for Atalanta in the German city of Gelsenkirchen. It was officially a home game for Shakhtar, which is playing at German club Schalke’s stadium because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Girona led through center-back David López’s close-range finish, but the visitors equalized with an own goal from Yangel Herrera and took the lead on Antoni Milambo’s 31st-minute strike.
Donny van de Beek made it 2-2 but another own goal, this time from Ladislav Krejci, gave Feynoord — Slot’s former club — victory in a match where both teams missed a penalty.
Kerem Akturkoglu, veteran Ángel Di Maria, Alexander Bah and Orkun Kokcu scored for Benfica in a 4-0 rout of Atletico Madrid; and Monaco netted a last-minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Dinamo Zagreb thanks to Denis Zakaria’s penalty.
Also, Sturm Graz lost 1-0 at home to Club Brugge, which won thanks to a curling strike from Christos Tzolis.