Mancini: ‘Victory the goal’ when Falcons take on Indonesia in World Cup qualifier

Special Mancini: ‘Victory the goal’ when Falcons take on Indonesia in World Cup qualifier
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The Saudi presser ahead of the World Cup qualifying match against Indonesia. (Supplied)
Special Mancini: ‘Victory the goal’ when Falcons take on Indonesia in World Cup qualifier
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The Indonesian presser ahead of the World Cup qualifying match against Saudi. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 September 2024
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Mancini: ‘Victory the goal’ when Falcons take on Indonesia in World Cup qualifier

Mancini: ‘Victory the goal’ when Falcons take on Indonesia in World Cup qualifier
  • But Italian head coach expecting Southeast Asians to put up stern test in Jeddah
  • Forward Fahad Al-Mwalid ‘confident’ team can win on home soil

JEDDAH: Head coach Roberto Mancini is thinking only about victory as Saudi Arabia prepare for their third-round World Cup qualifying match against Indonesia tomorrow night.

But the Italian is expecting some stern opposition from his Southeast Asian opponents when the game kicks off at 9 p.m. at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

“Indonesia is a very difficult team and of course the first game is also difficult,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.

“Indonesia has developed its football and they have so many players playing in Europe and the United States and I think they are ready too. Our goal is clear — to win the match.”

Mancini said he was hoping the crowd would play its part.

“It’s a high-level match. I hope Jeddah’s supporters stand behind us, we really need their support which will have a positive impact on the performance of our players.”

The coach was also asked about Falcons defender Saud Abdulhamid’s recent move to AS Roma, making him the first Saudi Arabian to play in Serie A.

“Abdulhamid spoke with me about six months ago and showed his interest to play in Europe. I was clear with him and told him to go ahead and work on it,” he said.

“Later on, I received a call from Daniele De Rossi, the head coach of AS Roma, and (he) asked me about Abdulhamid. I told him clearly that he is a good player and has the ability and skills to play for any European club.

“I hope to see more players go abroad to experience true professionalism. It’s great to have a group of Saudi players competing in the top European leagues. This certainly strengthens our squad.”

Mancini was also asked what he thought about the rule allowing Saudi teams to recruit up to eight foreign players.

“Attracting numerous top-level players from European leagues is a good idea but not in such a big number,” he said.

“On the other hand, attracting numerous top-level players from the European league definitely will have a positive result because Saudi local players will learn from those players.”

Falcons Forward Fahad Al-Mwalid said he too was looking forward to tomorrow night’s game and felt confident the team could come out on top.

“As the coach said, it is always difficult when you play your first game. We have all the respect for the Indonesian team but we are confident to win while playing at home and in front of our fans.”

Indonesia’s head coach Shin Tae-yong said his players were expecting a tough match but were ready for the challenge.

“We are playing with very strong Asian teams in Group C, including Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia, but will do our best,” he said. “We have to fight with determination to stand strong.”

Indonesia has never reached a World Cup finals and Shin is being realistic about his team’s chances.

“We don’t know what will happen in football,” he said. “The realistic goal is to reach the playoffs by ranking third in the third qualifying round. That’s our goal.”

Defender Jay Idzes said he expected the Indonesian team to “give our best possible performance.”

“We understand that the Saudi league has reached a very advanced level of professionalism and now we see the players playing in Europe. But we are aiming to win.

“This is a match that we know is difficult, but it is football and we will do everything we can to put the Indonesian team on the map.”


Man United stunned 1-1 by Dutch club Twente in revamped Europa League

Man United stunned 1-1 by Dutch club Twente in revamped Europa League
Updated 56 sec ago
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Man United stunned 1-1 by Dutch club Twente in revamped Europa League

Man United stunned 1-1 by Dutch club Twente in revamped Europa League
  • United has won just three of seven games in all competitions this season and Wednesday’s draw came after a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag questioned his players’ killer instinct after they were held to a 1-1 draw by his old club FC Twente in the revamped Europa League on Wednesday.
Sam Lammers capitalized on a mistake by Christian Eriksen in the second half at Old Trafford and raced away to fire an equalizer for the Dutch underdog.
“You saw that was the game of their life. They fought for every yard and we didn’t,” Ten Hag said. “99 percent is not enough, You have to give 100 percent. You have kill the game. You have to finish it off.”
Eriksen had put United ahead with a stunning first-half strike but was caught in possession by Lammers, whose goal secured an unexpected point for the visitors.
Ten Hag had spoken before the game of his affection for the team he supported as a boy in the Netherlands and represented as a player. He said it was “not nice to have to hurt something you love.”
Instead it was United fans left in pain, despite Eriksen seemingly putting the home team on course for victory.
United has won just three of seven games in all competitions this season and Wednesday’s draw came after a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Eriksen swept United ahead in the 35th with a first-time shot into the top corner. Connecting with a loose ball just inside the box, the playmaker didn’t break stride as he whipped his effort past past Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall with power and precision.
With one fist clenched, he ran to the corner to celebrate in front of the home fans.
But it was Twente’s supporters left cheering the loudest after Lammers’ goal in the 68th when beating Andre Onana at his near post.
“There’s a lot of football (still to play) when you (are) one up and the game takes more than 90 minutes,” Ten Hag said. “And you have to fight until the end and score the second goal.”
Like the Champions League, the second-tier Europa League has a new format and 36 teams instead of 32. It features a league system in which each team plays eight games against different opponents through January, replacing the old group stage.
Lazio cruises, Osimhen assists
In a clash between the Turkish and Greek champions, Galatasaray beat PAOK 3-1. Victor Osimhen, who moved from Napoli to Galatasaray earlier in September, made his presence felt. The Nigeria striker’s goalbound header was deflected by defender Abdul Rahman Baba into his own net early in the second half. Giannis Konstantelias equalized on a rebound before Osimhen set up Yunus Akgün to net the winner. Mauro Icardi added a stoppage-time goal.
Lazio cruised past Dynamo Kyiv 3-0. Boulaye Dia struck twice and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru added one. Both teams ended the game with 10 men.
Real Sociedad, struggling in La Liga, got a goal from Ander Barrenetxea at Nice but the home team salvaged a 1-1 draw thanks to Pablo Rosario’s goal late in the first half.
Another team struggling domestically, Bundesliga’s Hoffenheim took home a point from Denmark in a 1-1 draw with Danish Superliga’s leader Midtjylland. Darío Osorio put the hosts ahead late in the first half before substitute Max Moerstedt leveled it in the final minute.
In Brussels, Anderlecht struck twice in the span of five minutes in the second half on the way to a 2-1 victory over Ferencváros. Yari Verschaeren scored on the hour and Kasper Dolberg added the second from the spot.
Slavia Prague scored in each half for a 2-0 win at Bulgaria’s Ludogorets.
Early wins
Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt and Dutch side AZ Alkmaar became the first teams to claim victories earlier on Wednesday.
Jens Petter Hauge’s two goals guided 10-man Bodø/Glimt from a goal down to a 3-2 win over Porto while Troy Parrott netted the winner from the penalty spot for Alkmaar to beat Sweden’s Elfsborg 3-2.
Porto, a two-time champion in Europe’s second-tier league, got an early goal from Samu. Kasper Høgh’s equalized and Hauge netted twice for a 3-1 lead. Porto reduce the deficit to one in the final minute through substitute Deniz Gül.
Alkmaar answered Timothy Ouma’s opener with two goals from Ruben van Bommel on both sides of the interval. Simon Hedlund made it 2-2 before Parrott’s late penalty.
Ahead of a late game between Dynamo Kyiv and Lazio, a group of about 60 Lazio fans were stopped by German authorities in Hamburg after attempting to avoid a police escort and were found to be carrying knives, clubs and other weapons. Fans who were held overnight were banned from attending Wednesday’s game but there were no arrests.
Dynamo plays its home Europa League games in Hamburg because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.


Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe

Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe
Updated 26 September 2024
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Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe

Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe

BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski continued his fine form and earned La Liga leaders Barcelona a 1-0 win over Getafe on Wednesday.

The Polish forward struck from close range in the first half to maintain Barca’s 100 percent record in the league so far this season with their seventh victory.

Barcelona dominated despite not being able to add to their lead and restored a four-point advantage on Real Madrid, who beat Alaves on Tuesday.

Coach Hansi Flick started Inaki Pena in goal for the stricken Marc-Andre ter Stegen, out for months with a severe knee injury, and brought Marc Casado and Alejandro Balde back into the side.

The reserve goalkeeper, who conceded 32 times in 17 matches across all competitions last season, heard his name chanted supportively by fans behind his goal and saved an early header from Carles Perez.

By contrast his opposite number David Soria’s weak touch on Jules Kounde’s cross led to Barcelona’s opener on 19 minutes, the ball falling perfectly for Lewandowski to finish from close range.

The 36-year-old striker has seven goals in La Liga this season and leads the scoring charts, seemingly rejuvenated under Flick after struggling at times last season.

Teen starlet Lamine Yamal might have doubled the lead moments later when Raphinha played him in, but he nudged inches past the post.

Soria made a good save from Raphinha, who collected the August player of the month award before kick-off, and soon sent another effort skidding wide.

Yamal almost bent home a delicious curling strike from distance before the hour, but Soria tipped it over the crossbar.

The Getafe goalkeeper also palmed a dangerous Raphinha free-kick around the post as Barcelona pushed for a second to put the match to bed.

Spain’s Euro 2024 hero Yamal clipped the top of the crossbar with a vicious effort from distance, as Barca started to grumble about Getafe’s persistently heavy challenges.

Raphinha missed a golden chance in the final stages, heading wide after a clever dart into the box but Barcelona were not punished for their profligacy.

Getafe, 19th, are still winless and wasted a fine chance of their own at the death when Borja Mayoral failed to get a shot away when well placed and free inside the box.

The leaders next travel to face Osasuna on Saturday, before second-place Real Madrid face rivals Atletico Madrid in a derby clash on Sunday.


France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup

France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup
Updated 25 September 2024
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France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup

France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup
  • Les Bleus and Iran played an indolent first half before Iran easily prevailed after France conceded a soft opening goal in the second half, triggering angry reactions from other teams.

PARIS: France brushed off allegations of match-fixing after their 4-1 defeat against Iran sent them into the softest part of the draw at the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.
Les Bleus and Iran played an indolent first half before Iran easily prevailed after France conceded a soft opening goal in the second half, triggering angry reactions from other teams.
“Iran and France, coaches and players alike, have disgraced my sport. You are a disgrace to the world,” Thailand coach Miguel Rodrigo wrote on X.
Retired Brazil great Falcao was quoted by French media as saying: “It shows a lack of respect for the World Cup. The match was clearly fixed from the first minute.”
Both France and Iran were already qualified for the last 16 but the result meant that world number 10 France, second in Group F, will take on Thailand, ranked ninth before a potential quarter-final against 13th-ranked Paraguay.
Iran, the world number four, will be up against sixth-ranked Morocco ahead of a possible last-eight clash against world number one Brazil.
“It was Iran’s responsibility to be in charge of the game. The draw is more open for us but our main goal was not to get booked and to avoid injuries,” France coach Raphael Reynaud said.
The French football federation and world governing body FIFA were not immediately available for comment.


Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids

Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids
Updated 26 September 2024
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Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids

Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids
  • Event in Diriyah held ahead of WTA Finals in Riyadh in November
  • ‘It’s important that we share the sport as much as we can,’ Murray says

RIYADH: Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray and former world No. 1 Spanish-Venezuelan Garbine Muguruza conducted a tennis clinic for children at the Net Tennis Academy in Diriyah on Tuesday.
Ahead of the WTA Finals that will be held for the first time in Riyadh in November, the pair spoke to Arab News about the growth of the sport in the region.
“I think there is a new generation now ... We have great players from all nationalities and we feel like every tournament there’s different winners. So that means that it’s very competitive,” Muguruza, who will act as tournament director for the upcoming event, said.
Public events could help to raise the profile of the sport, she said.
“One very good example is what we are doing here today. We are bringing the community together, especially the kids. The kids are the ones that are going to follow our footsteps and be the next generation.”

Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray, the mother to former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Sir Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, has said she sees a bright future for tennis in Saudi Arabia. (AN photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

The Saudi Sports for All Federation and Saudi Tennis Federation are working together to stage the Tennis for All program at SFA Neighborhood Clubs in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province. The initiative is one of several launched to encourage people across the Kingdom to become more physically active.
Murray, who is mother to former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Sir Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, had a similar message.
“It’s important that we share the sport as much as we can with those in the local community,” she said.
“The bigger your workforce, the more you can share your sport with any kids, teens, adults who might be interested in getting involved and picking up a racket.”

Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray conducts a tennis clinic for children in Diriyah, as part of an initiative to grow the Saudi game. (AN photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

But the most important thing was passion, she said.
“I look at my sons, who were professional players for many, many years. They’re 37 and 38 now and they still love the game. They still love competing. They’re real students of the game. They really research, study it, love it. And I think I would say exactly the same for myself. I love the game.”
Having worked directly with the SFA, Murray said she saw a bright future for tennis in Saudi Arabia.
“I think bringing the World Tour Finals here for a three-year period and also having brought the next gen finals here, and there are a number of other things in the pipeline that will bring some major events into Saudi, the closer you can get your people to the action, live action, the more they are probably inspired to try it ... the more they believe that they could actually do it as well,” she said.
“I think that the goal is by 2030, to have a million people playing tennis, which is always good to have a target and I actually think you’re going to smash that target.”

 


Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’

Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’
Updated 25 September 2024
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Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’

Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’
  • Rivals bid to become undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world  

LONDON: Boxers Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev both said on Wednesday they were fully prepared and ready to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world in their clash in Saudi Arabia next month.

The event on Oct. 12, dubbed the “IV Crown Showdown,” referring to the four belts on the line, will headline the opening ceremony of the 2024 Riyadh Season.

Russian-Canadian Beterbiev, who holds the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council belts, has knocked out all of his 20 opponents.

Russian Bivol, who has an undefeated 23-0 record, has won three fights since his victory over Canelo Alvarez in 2022, and is putting his World Boxing Association title on the line in the fight in Riyadh.

Bivol said at a press conference in London on Wednesday that he was eager to unify all belts, and added: “Oct. 12 will be an unforgettable night for boxing fans. Competing at Kingdom Arena, one of the world’s top venues, is an honor, and I’m grateful to Riyadh Season for this opportunity.”

Beterbiev also praised Riyadh Season’s contributions in taking boxing to new levels, and added: “I’m ready to claim another belt and become the undisputed champion.”

Tickets for the highly anticipated showdown went on sale on Wednesday. Fans can secure tickets for the event via the WeBook platform, organizers said.

The event will boast a seven-match undercard, including Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker taking on Liam Cameron in the light-heavyweight division, and Riyadh Season’s first women’s fight between Australian Skye Nicolson and Britain’s Raven Chapman.

Saudi boxer Mohammed Al-Aqel also features in a bout against Mexico’s Jesus Gonzalez in the welterweight category.