Fabinho up against old friend Firmino as Al-Ittihad look to overcome Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli in Derby Week

Fabinho up against old friend Firmino as Al-Ittihad look to overcome Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli in Derby Week
Al-Ittihad's Fabinho will come up against former Liverpool colleague and Al-Ahli forward Roberto Firmino in the Sea Derby. (SPL)
Short Url
Updated 31 October 2024
Follow

Fabinho up against old friend Firmino as Al-Ittihad look to overcome Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli in Derby Week

Fabinho up against old friend Firmino as Al-Ittihad look to overcome Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli in Derby Week
  • ‘Last season, I made a hard tackle on him, and he sent me a photo of his ankle. I said: Sorry, Bobby,’ Fabinho reveals ahead of Thursday night’s Jeddah derby

JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad midfielder Fabinho has admitted “it’s not nice” playing against compatriot, ex-Liverpool teammate and good friend Roberto Firmino, but will be doing everything to beat him and Al-Ahli in the Roshn Saudi League on Thursday.

Both Brazilian stars moved to their respective Jeddah clubs in the summer of 2023 after enjoying years of success at Liverpool, including winning the Champions League and Premier League.

But they will be on opposite sides for the Sea Derby, with Fabinho confessing that he even had to apologize to his good friend Firmino after an overzealous tackle in a corresponding fixture last season.

Al-Ittihad go into the derby in second place, with their local rival 11th in the Roshn Saudi League table.

The Jeddah derby, which kicks off at 9 p.m. local time at King Abdullah Sports City, is a part of the Roshn Saudi League’s innovative Derby Week, which is taking place in matchweek nine of the 2024-2025 season.

The new Derby Week addition to the Saudi Arabian topflight features Christiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr versus champions Al-Hilal, with Neymar at No. 10, at Al-Awwal Park. The mouthwatering Capital Derby matchup is on Friday.

The Eastern Derby between Al-Ettifaq, managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, and Al-Qadsiah, who welcomed Real Madrid hero Nacho into their ranks in summer, is on Saturday.

Here are some of Fabinho’s views on the big game and the SPL season:

On the derby

“For us it is a really important game, the team is in a really good moment. We are second in the league just behind Al-Hilal and we want to be at the top, so we have to win this game.

“This will be my third derby, the first two were not very good for us. We lost both of them, so it is an opportunity to give a nice result to our fans. The fans they are asking for us to give everything to win this game.”

Al-Ittihad’s form this season

“I think the players that arrived (in the transfer window) are playing really well. Moussa Diaby, Houssem Aouar, all the players who arrived have really integrated into the team and adapted to the team and the way we play.

“I think some key players are finding their best football again, so this is very important for us. The new coach and his staff arrived as well, and we know the ideas they have and how they want to play football.

“What everybody expects from us is to fight for the league, it’s not a big surprise. We have to do everything to reach the top.”

On facing Firmino

“It is not nice. Bobby is one of my good friends that I have made in football, he is a very good player, so I never like to play against him. Last season when we played against them, I made a hard tackle on him and after the game he sent me a photo of his ankle. I said: ‘Sorry, Bobby.’

“After the game we can talk but, in the game, I will fight for my side and my team. It’s nice to be in the same city as him, to see him off the pitch often. Our families also are in contact, and he is a very good friend, but on the pitch and in the derby, I am with Al-Ittihad and he is with Al-Ahli.”

On living in Jeddah

“My good friend Helder Costa played here for one season, so I talked to him, because I wanted my family to be comfortable in the city. Coming to Jeddah it was a very good surprise to see how nice the city is.

“We have adapted to the city, and we love to live in Jeddah. We’re very happy to be here.”


Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia

Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia
Updated 12 November 2024
Follow

Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia

Dubai Basketball’s winning streak comes to an end in Serbia
  • Team from the UAE lost 82-61 to ABA League leaders and EuroLeague powerhouse Partizan Mozzart

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball’s dominant four-game winning streak has ended in Serbia with an 82-61 defeat to ABA League leaders and EuroLeague powerhouse, Partizan Mozzart.

Jurica Golemac’s side went into Sunday night’s heavyweight clash looking to give Partizan their first loss of the season.

However, the home side, spurred on by their passionate fans, rose to the occasion to extend their perfect record to 8-0.

The charge was led by former Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks star, Carlik Jones, with 17 points on the night.

Dubai started the contest in a positive manner, with a three-point lead through the first quarter of play.

But it was not enough, as the home team rallied with a staggering defensive second quarter that saw Dubai score just eight points.

Despite being underdogs, Dubai fought hard, clawing their way to within six points with just four minutes left on the clock.

The final score left Dubai with their second loss of the season, a 6-2 record, and just two points behind Partizan with the highly anticipated rematch already marked on the calendar.

Speaking of his team’s performance, coach Golemac said: “The organization of the game suffered a lot, we did not manage to place the ball where we wanted to.

“Defensively, it wasn’t that bad with the defensive changes in the first half. The plan was to stay close especially as there were four minutes left, but we didn’t last.”

After three away games across Europe, Dubai Basketball will return home to the Coca-Cola Arena to take on Slovenia’s Krka on Nov. 17.

Fan favorite Isaiah Taylor had nothing but praise for the Dubai Basketball supporters. “Our fans are incredible, they get into it every game and really motivate us.

“We say it all the time, when our fans get loud, the arena comes alive — they’re what it’s all about.”


Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships
Updated 12 November 2024
Follow

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships

Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships
  • Kingdom’s star Hattan Alsaif back in action as part of showcase featuring former champions and No. 1 contenders

RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League, in partnership with the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation, announced today the full card for the 2024 PFL MENA Championships, which takes place on Nov. 29 at King Saud University in Riyadh.

The PFL MENA’s inaugural season has reached its conclusion and four champions will be crowned — in the welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight divisions.

This championship is creating a pathway for athletes from the region to compete in the PFL Global Season.

The main event in the featherweight division will have Jordan’s Abdalrahman Alhyasat (5-0) taking on Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-2).

In the co-main event, the welterweight title will be decided between Kuwait’s Mohammad Alaqraa (7-0) and Egypt’s Omar El-Dafrawy (12-6).

At bantamweight, Iraq’s Ali Taleb (11-1) meets Morocco’s Rachid El-Hazoume (15-3), and in the lightweight division the title fight will be between Iran’s Mohsen Mohammadseifi (6-2) and Lebanon’s Georges Eid (10-4).

All championship bouts at PFL MENA will be five, five-minute rounds, and for the first time in the history of the PFL Championships, striking with elbows will be allowed.

In addition to the championship fights, undefeated Saudi Arabia star Hattan Alsaif will be in action against Algeria’s Lilia Osmani.

There will also be five showcase bouts taking place including former Bellator World Grand Prix participant Mansour Barnaoui (21-6) facing England’s Alfie Davis (17-4-1).

Also, Tunisia’s Slim Trabelsi (7-0) battles England’s Abraham Bably (5-0), and 2023 PFL featherweight titlist Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) will face former Bellator featherweight contender Jeremy Kennedy (19-4).

In addition, France’s Asael Adjoudj (8-1) tangles with America’s Jose Perez (9-1).

Opening the card will be a middleweight battle between Costello van Steenis (15-3) and Brazil’s Joao Dantas (7-1).

Full PFL MENA Championships card:

Featherweight championship: Abdelrahman Alhyasat (5-0) vs. Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-2).

Welterweight championship: Mohammad Alaqraa (7-0) vs. Omar El-Dafrawy (12-6).

Amateur Women’s Atomweight Bout: Hattan Alsaif vs. Lilia Osmani.

Bantamweight championship: Ali Taleb (11-1) vs. Rachid El-Hazoume (15-3).

Lightweight championship: Mohsen Mohammadseifi (6-1) vs. Georges Eid (10-4).

Showcase Fights:

Lightweight: Mansour Barnaoui (21-6) vs. Alfie Davis (17-4-1).

Heavyweight: Slim Trabelsi (7-0) vs. Abraham Bably (5-0).

Featherweight: Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (19-4).

Featherweight: Asael Adjoudj (8-1) vs. Jose Perez (9-1).

Middleweight: Costello van Steenis (15-3) vs. Joao Dantas (7-1).


Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 12 November 2024
Follow

Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Commando Group dominates at Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Competition is part of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship taking place at Mubadala Arena

ABU DHABI: The UAE’s Commando Group have emerged victorious at the Abu Dhabi World Amateur Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which is a part of the 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Athletes aged 30 and above competed in the blue- and white-belt divisions on Monday, with Commando Group building on their previous day’s success with an impressive performance.

Brazil’s Checkmat International ended second, with Kazakhstan National Academy in third.

This year’s amateur category competitions had a significant increase in participation.

Mubarak Saleh Al-Menhali, director of the technical department at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the high turnout demonstrates jiu-jitsu’s growing local and international popularity.

Al-Menhali added that the championship shows that jiu-jitsu “transcends age and experience, uniting everyone through shared passion.

“This aligns with the federation’s mission to promote … the incorporation of the sport into daily life, encouraging personal growth and fostering self-improvement for all practitioners.”

One of the guests of honor, Amal Abdul Qadir Al-Afifi, secretary general of the Khalifa Award for Education, said the championship “reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to elevating its sports landscape and showcases how the capital has emerged as a global sports hub.”

She commended the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for creating a sports platform that enables athletes of all ages to hone their skills.


Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad
Updated 12 November 2024
Follow

Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

Carsley loses eight and calls up five for last England squad

LONDON: England interim manager Lee Carsley gave a first senior call-up to Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers as one of five additions to his last squad on Monday after eight players pulled out.
The team faces Greece in Athens on Thursday before hosting Ireland three days later. Both games are in the Nations League.
Seven of the players to drop out came from the top four clubs in the Premier League: Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer of Chelsea; Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka; Manchester City midfielders Phil Foden and Jack Grealish and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. The eighth withdrawal was Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Rogers was promoted from the Under-21 squad alongside Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. Of the quartet only center-back Branthwaite has a senior England cap.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, who has 12 senior caps, was also added to the squad.
Carsley will return to his role as Under-21 manager after Nations League games, with Thomas Tuchel starting as the new boss in January.
Defeat in Athens would end England’s chances of automatic promotion from the second tier of the Nations League.
Tuchel has signed an 18-month deal that begins on January 1, so will only be an interested observer during this month’s games.
England squad
Goalkeepers
: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford
Defenders: Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Curtis Jones, Morgan Rogers
Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Dominic Solanke, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen


Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
Updated 11 November 2024
Follow

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
  • Brazilian superstar tours bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, and describes it as ‘best project I’ve ever seen’
  • Exhibition showcases proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and features interactive displays of the planned 15 stadiums

RIYADH: Brazilian footballer Neymar on Monday expressed his full support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and said that he believes it has the potential to be the best tournament yet.

After touring the Saudi 2034 bid exhibition with Hammad Albalawi, the head of the bid unit, Neymar described it as “the best project I’ve ever seen” for players and fans alike.

The exhibition showcases the proposed host cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha and NEOM — and includes interactive displays of the 15 stadiums envisioned for the event.

Saudi Arabia is bidding to be the sole host of a 48-team World Cup tournament. It aims to leverage its geographic advantage, given that 60 percent of the world’s population live within an eight-hour flight of the Kingdom.

Neymar was particularly impressed by the focus of the Saudi bid on the needs of the players, saying: “They’re thinking about the players … making it easier to get from the game to the hotel and recover faster.”

The 32-year-old Brazilian, who has lived in Riyadh since signing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in August 2023, praised the passion for football in the Kingdom and the warm welcome he and his family received. Despite an injury that limited his playing time so far, he noted the enthusiastic support among local fans.

The rapid growth in the development of football in Saudi Arabia in recent years has included an expansion in the number of youth-training centers to 23, support for more than 300,000 boys and girls in school leagues, and an increase in the number of registered football coaches from 700 in 2019 to more than 4,000.

Neymar said he believes this investment in the future of Saudi football will pay off, adding: “They will definitely be more competitive in 2034.”

He also acknowledged the influence he and other international soccer superstars who have relocated to the Kingdom, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, are having on the nation’s football scene.

“We want to influence all the kids and the youth to do the right things, and to bring joy to everyone with our football,” he said.

Saudi Arabia submitted its official bid for the 2034 World Cup, which has the theme “Growing. Together,” in July. A decision on the host is due to be made on Dec. 11 during a FIFA Congress.