Sam Morsy hoping success with Ipswich in Premier League will lead to Egypt recall

Sam Morsy hoping success with Ipswich in Premier League will lead to Egypt recall
Sam Morsy has not played for his country since last September, winning his ninth cap against Tunisia. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 31 August 2024
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Sam Morsy hoping success with Ipswich in Premier League will lead to Egypt recall

Sam Morsy hoping success with Ipswich in Premier League will lead to Egypt recall
  • The 32-year-old midfielder has not played for his country since winning his ninth international against Tunisia last September

Sam Morsy may have fulfilled a dream of playing in the Premier League, but the Egyptian will not rest on his laurels as he looks to return to the international fold.

The Ipswich Town captain has not played for his country since last September, winning his ninth cap against Tunisia.

But Morsy has not given up hope, despite being overlooked for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cape Verde and Botswana in September.

The 32-year-old midfielder knows his best chance of a recall to Hossam Hassan’s side is to prove his worth in the top flight against some of the world’s best players.

“There’s not a better league in world football to show what I can do,” said Morsy, who led Ipswich to successive promotions from League One and the Championship.

“If I can do well at this level, it will probably be quite hard for the Egypt manager to leave me out.

“Of course I want to play for Egypt again — that’s always my ambition. Unfortunately I didn’t get called up to this squad for September, but look, you don’t want to be too greedy.

“I want to enjoy my time here with Ipswich and I’ll be ready when called upon.”

Wolverhampton-born Morsy, who qualifies for Egypt through his father Mekawy, made his national team debut in 2016 against Guinea.

He was part of Egypt’s World Cup squad for the 2018 finals in Russia, making an appearance against Uruguay.

And Morsy has targeted another appearance on football’s biggest stage when Canada, Mexico and the US host the tournament in 2026.

“Of course it’s a dream to play in the next World Cup,” he told Arab News exclusively. “I played in the 2018 one and it was a really proud moment and I’d love to get the opportunity again.

“But there’s a lot of time and a lot of work to get there. I will keep working hard and see what happens.”

Morsy has certainly worked hard to reach the top flight, having spent most of his career in the lower leagues at clubs such as Port Vale, Chesterfield, Wigan, Middlesbrough and then Ipswich.

And he has strived to improve even more by taking advice from Egypt and Liverpool hero Mohamed Salah.

“Mohamed’s an amazing guy,” said Morsy. “He’s always helped me, given me loads of advice, always an ear to listen to.

“I’ve quizzed him on many many things and he was always helpful, as he is now.

“I ask loads of things, technical things, physical things, recovery things and he is always on hand to help, like he is with all the national team. He’s just a fantastic human being.”

Salah and Liverpool ruined Ipswich’s return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence with a 2-0 opening-day league win.

That was followed by a 4-1 loss at an Erling Haaland-inspired Manchester City.

But Morsy said he and Ipswich — who host Fulham on Saturday at Portman Road — can only learn from facing English football’s finest.

“Playing in this league and against the best players is definitely what I’ve always dreamed of — that’s the level you want,” he said.

“In any walk of life really you want to push yourself and test yourself. This is the best these last two league games, especially the game against Manchester City.

“It’s against the best in the world, people we watch every week and there’s loads of things for us to work on and improve on.

“We want to have a good season. Last season we got promoted and that’s a good thing, but what we can do this time, who knows?

“We don’t want to put a ceiling on it. Always your first goal is to remain in the division, but we want to be competitive and win a lot of games.”


Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah

Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah
Updated 30 November 2024
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Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah

Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah
  • The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title
  • The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of 8th or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take 5th at the Saudi venue

JEDDAH: French racers Robert Consani and Benjamin Lariche secured a fourth successive GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club victory by taking Saturday’s season finale in Jeddah.
However, the win was not enough to stop Tom Lebbon and Josh Rattican from being crowned 2024 Silver class champions, said a media statement.
The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title and did exactly that thanks to another inch-perfect performance.
The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of eighth or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take fifth at the Saudi venue.
Meanwhile, NM Racing Team bagged the Pro-Am win, while a third-place result was enough to seal the class crown for Finn Zulauf and Max Kronberg (#30 W&S Motorsport Porsche). Am honors went to Kevin Jimenez and Florent Grizaud (#72 GPA Racing Aston Martin), who triumphed for a second time this term.
Speedcar Audi had qualified on pole, but started fourth on the grid following a penalty for Consani blocking a rival car during qualifying. The Frenchman wasted no time in returning to the front, immediately jumping to third before passing both the pole-sitting #77 Elite Motorsport McLaren and the #17 L’Espace Bienvenue BMW on successive laps.
As the race settled down the #3 Audi established an advantage at the head of the field and remained in control following a full-course yellow and safety car intervention.
Behind, the #17 BMW held on to second ahead of the #77 McLaren, the #62 Academy Motorsport Ford and the #78 McLaren.
The front two remained unchanged after the pit window, while the Ford leapfrogged the #77 for third spot. Now in the hands of Lariche, the Audi stretched its advantage significantly during the second half. Indeed, by the time the checkered flag fell the Frenchman was more than 11 seconds clear of the #17 BMW.
The Team Speedcar crew had done everything they could to snatch the title.
With the Audi disappearing up the road, attention switched to the progress of the #78 McLaren, which was driven by Rattican during the second stint.
He lost a place to the #82 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin of Jamie Day, who also overhauled the #77 McLaren a few laps later. The #78 then passed the sister car, which had been handed a five-second track limits penalty.
Rattican could have cruised to the finish, but instead spent the closing minutes in a close-fought battle for the final spot on the podium, which ultimately went to the #82 Aston Martin after a last-lap pass on the #62 Ford.
There were nervous faces in the Elite garage, but the McLaren squad could breathe a sigh of relief when Rattican crossed the line in fifth to seal the Silver title.
The GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club will return on Apr. 11-13 when Circuit Paul Ricard launches another season of multi-class racing.


Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit

Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit
Updated 30 November 2024
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Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit

Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit
  • BMW driver competing in Saudi Arabia for first time says: ‘I really like the atmosphere’
  • Rossi chasing victory in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe final round

JEDDAH: After finishing his opening laps on Jeddah Corniche on the first day of the final round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, Italian race car driver and former motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi said that racing at the Jeddah Circuit is both an exciting and challenging experience.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the day, Rossi said that he enjoyed the experience behind the wheel on the fastest street circuit in the world.
“First of all, let me say that this is my first time in Saudi Arabia and I really like the atmosphere. We are really enjoying our stay while competing.
“Regarding the circuit, it is surrounded by walls as it is a street circuit, which makes the race more difficult with 49 cars racing on the circuit at the same time.
The Italian racing legend — known as “The Doctor” because of his clinical dismantling of opponents — said: “My first impression was OK. It is very slippery and you have to go fast between the walls, but in the end we got used to it through the last two days since we arrived.”
He added: “It is well known that street circuits often require extra effort from drivers. The walls are very close to the track.”
The BMW factory driver told Arab News that he is enjoying competing in the GT World Challenge Europe, and hopes to continue with a positive result on the final day on Saturday.
“We really had a good season and our performance is getting better in the hope to bring a successful result Saturday night,” he said.
The seven-time MotoGP world champion retired from MotoGP in 2021, and is currently competing in both the World Endurance Championship and the GT World Challenge Europe for BMW.


Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq

Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq
Updated 30 November 2024
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Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq

Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq
  • In his first league appearance after missing the last four games through injury, the French forward had the ball in the net after 27 minutes

JEDDAH: Karim Benzema returned to action in style Saturday as Al-Ittihad won 4-0 at Ettifaq, scoring one and recording two assists to help the leaders stay on top of the Saudi Pro League.

In his first league appearance after missing the last four games through injury, the French forward had the ball in the net after 27 minutes. A beautiful short pass inside the area from N’Golo Kante took out three defenders to leave Benzema to sweep home from close range but VAR ruled that he had been just offside.

The roles were reversed eight minutes later and this time the goal stood. Benzema picked up possession in a crowded situation just outside the area, slipped a little pass to his right for Kante to burst into the box in a central occasion to fire home a low shot.

Eight minutes after the restart, Benzema got his goal. Marek Rodak got down well to save a fierce shot from Steven Bergwijn and there was the French striker to show his goal scoring instinct to pounce upon the rebound to put the ball into an empty net. It was a ninth goal of the season that puts him level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the standings, three behind Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Two more goals came in quick succession midway through the second half. After 66 minutes Houssem Aouar made it three and then Bergwijn added to Ettifaq’s pain four minutes later, running clear of the defence to score after a fine pass from Benzema.

It was harsh on the home team who have now gone nine league games without a win. The pressure was already on head coach Steven Gerrard but the Liverpool legend and his team are now just three points clear of the relegation zone. Next comes a tricky away trip to Al-Khaleej.

Al-Ittihad meanwhile are riding high.


Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas

Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas
Updated 30 November 2024
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Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas

Barcelona lose at home for 1st time this season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas
  • Barcelona had played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick
  • They have now gone three rounds of La Liga without a win

BARCELONA: Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Spanish league leader were stunned 2-1 by Las Palmas on Saturday.
Barcelona had played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick and were flying high after convincing victories over Real Madrid in the domestic competition and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
They had won all eight home games overall.
But they have now gone three rounds of La Liga without a win. Prior to the loss to Las Palmas, they fell 1-0 at Real Sociedad and drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo.
Madrid, despite their own troubles especially in the Champions League, can now move ahead of Barcelona in the Spanish league. They trail Barcelona by four points with two games more to play.
Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva scored for the Canary Islands club on either side of Raphina’s equalizer.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal returned from a right ankle injury that had sidelined with for three weeks as a halftime substitute, but Jasper Cillessen saved his best shot. The Las Palmas goalkeeper also did well to palm a Raphinha free kick over his bar in the final minutes.


Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
Updated 30 November 2024
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Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
  • Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second

LUSAIL, Qatar: McLaren neared its first Formula 1 constructors’ title in 26 years as Lando Norris handed Oscar Piastri victory in a one-two finish for the team in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday.
Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second.
Norris gave the lead to Piastri with the finish line in sight, paying his teammate back for gifting him a win in the sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Russell finished third.
Verstappen — crowned the drivers’ champion last week in Las Vegas — finished eighth and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was last after a pit stop to change his car’s nose.
Qualifying takes place later Saturday for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.