Neymar injured again as Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli maintain perfect records in AFC Champions League

Special Neymar injured again as Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli maintain perfect records in AFC Champions League
Al-Hilal defeated Esteghlal of Iran 3-0. (X/@Alhilal_EN)
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Updated 05 November 2024
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Neymar injured again as Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli maintain perfect records in AFC Champions League

Neymar injured again as Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli maintain perfect records in AFC Champions League
  • The Riyadh side defeated Esteghlal of Iran 3-0, while their Jeddah rivals thrashed Iraqi side Al-Shorta 5-1 in the 4th round of games in the league stage
  • Neymar, making only his second appearance in 13 months, came on early in the 2nd half but was withdrawn shortly before full time after pulling up as he stretched for the ball

Apart from another Neymar injury scare, Saudi teams enjoyed another great night in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, as Al-Hilal defeated Esteghlal of Iran 3-0 and Al-Ahli thrashed Iraqi side Al-Shorta 5-1.

Both teams now have four wins out of four and sit joint top of their 12-team league. Al-Hilal has a slight edge on goal difference but even at this early point, with four games left to play in the league stage, both sides are all-but guaranteed to be one of the top eight teams that advance to the knockout phase.

With Neymar seemingly picking up a muscle injury after 30 minutes of action in Riyadh, Aleksandar Mitrovic was the undoubted star for Al-Hilal, scoring all three goals in what was ultimately a comfortable win, although Esteghlal did almost shock the Blues early on. Gael Kakuta’s perfect cross from the right found the head of a diving Ramin Rezaeian, only for the ball to hit the post, with Yassine Bounou beaten.

After 15 minutes, however, the home side were ahead. A pass from Nasser Al-Dawsari evaded a number of players, both home and away, before finding its way to Mitrovic at the far post, where the Serbian striker made no mistake from close range.

As both teams continued to push forward, Salem Al-Dawsari and Abdullah Al-Hamdan forced the Esteghlal goalkeeper make saves but it was not long before the lead was doubled. Renan Lodi, who has been in fine form this season, with a number of impressive assists, broke free down the left side of the area just after the half-hour mark and pulled a low pass across goal to Mitrovic, who was waiting to take another poacher’s chance.

There were more cheers from the home fans 10 minutes into the second half when Neymar came off the bench for only his second appearance since picking up a serious injury in October 2023. The Brazilian superstar was soon treating fans to flicks and feints as Al-Hilal started to move the ball around even more.

It was no surprise when they sealed the victory 16 minutes from time. Joao Cancelo crossed the ball for that man Mitrovic to once again head home at the far post for his fourth goal of the tournament.

The only downside for Al-Hilal came when Neymar was withdrawn shortly before the final whistle, after pulling up as he stretched for the ball.

Over in Jeddah, Al-Ahli kept pace in the competition with their Riyadh rivals thanks to a convincing 5-1 win against visiting Al-Shorta. The home side have been inconsistent in terms of domestic form but perfect in the Asian campaign so far. And it did not take long for the hosts to take the lead.

With 14 minutes on the clock, Ziyad Al-Johani floated over a long ball from a deep position down the left. Roberto Firmino timed his run perfectly to break into the area and direct an equally perfect header into the top corner of the goal.

Ten minutes later, the men in white had the perfect opportunity to extend their lead and take total control of the tie but Franck Kessie’s effort was saved by Ahmed Basil.

Then, just before the half-hour mark, Al-Shorta were suddenly level as a result of some slack defending that ended with Mohammed Dawood feeding the ball through to Sajad Jassem, who rounded goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi to score.

However, Al-Ahli went in at the break with their lead restored. Deep into added time, Firmino, who had just missed another glorious chance, grabbed his second of the game from close range after Firas Al-Buraikan skipped past the goalkeeper and fed the ball to the former Liverpool star, who found the back of the net from close range.

Firmino returned the favor eight minutes after the restart, delivering a low cross from the right that bounced all the way through to the far post where Al-Buraikan made no mistake.

Just after the hour mark, the Saudi international once again turned provider to feed Riyad Mahrez on the right corner of the area, and the Algerian fired his shot into the opposite corner. In the 65th minute, Al-Johani produced another perfect pass from the left, which Mahrez latched onto to grab his second and complete the 5-1 win.

Al-Nassr, who have two wins and a draw from their first three games in the competition, can move into third place in the group on Tuesday with a win against defending champions Al-Ain, who are second bottom with just one point after two defeats and a draw.


Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International

Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International
Updated 16 min 35 sec ago
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Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International

Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International
  • Bresnu follows opening round 66 with solid 68 to lie three shots off the lead that is being held by a group of four that includes Cam Smith
  • Saudi players Khalid Attieh, Saud Al-Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Shergo Al-Kurdi and Othman Almulla fell short of making the cut

RIYADH: Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu is in contention at the halfway stage of the PIF Saudi International after posting a solid three-under 68, after a stellar opening round 66, to lie three shots off the lead that is being held by a group of four that includes Cam Smith.

Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu continued his incredible run of recent form at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, and the confident youngster admits his goal is to see off some of the biggest names in golf and win the season-ending tournament on The International Series.

Not only did the 20-year-old make the cut, he now sits just three shots off the halfway lead at T11 on eight under after shooting four birdies and just dropping the one shot in a three-under second round.

That leaves Bresnu hot on the heels of the leading pack that includes 2022 Open champion Cam Smith, Chilean sensation Joaquin Niemann, current International Series Rankings leader Peter Uihlein and promising American Logan McAllister.

Bresnu, who recently stormed to the Pan Arab Championship title in the UAE, also made the cut last week at a star-studded International Series Qatar. He said: “To be honest I know my game and I know what I am capable of and I’m pretty sure I belong here. I know my game: I can shoot really low, and go low four rounds straight if I respect the course and my routine.

“I think everyone knows my goal for this week. Right now it is to win for sure but I have to play some really good golf.”

The International Series offers opportunities for emerging regional talent to experience elite level golf on the Asian Tour, and this week gives Bresnu the chance to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in world golf. Although he is determined to beat them, Bresnu is also using the experience to learn as much as possible.

He said: “Yes definitely, I’m trying to pick up as much as I can. Cam Smith is just amazing, I looked at his putting stroke and it is really pure. I am not trying to be like him, but I am trying to do something similar.

“Also Joaquin Niemann, his wedge game is unreal and DJ (Dustin Johnson) his swing — all of them. I am trying to see how they are, how they practice and how they react on the course. It’s also good to see where I’m at, and from what I saw, I’m not that far, and that is a good thing.”

Bresnu is proud to be flying the flag for Arab golf after the local representatives, Khalid Attieh, Saud Al-Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Shergo Al-Kurdi and Othman Almulla fell short of making the cut.

He said: “It is an honor, not just for Morocco but also for a lot of countries and Arabs. My goal is to say to the world that we are here and we have players and the talent and the level to make it. I might be the first one but my goal is to prepare the future, so we have more chance to bring players on the tour.”


Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh

Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh
Updated 05 December 2024
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Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh

Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh
  • WADA executive committee meeting on Wednesday included a dedicated session centered on Asia
  • Meetings reflect the Kingdom’s and Ministry of Sport’s efforts to support international initiatives

RIAYDH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sport and member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, attended on Thursday the WADA meetings, which the ministry hosted over two days in Riyadh.
Presided over by Witold Banka, WADA’s president, the meetings addressed updates on international policies and strategies, the development of mechanisms for enforcing regulations, and the adoption of the agency’s 2025–2029 strategic plan.
The 2025 budget was also approved, underscoring a commitment to upholding the highest standards of sports integrity, a media statement said.
The WADA executive committee meeting on Wednesday included a dedicated session centered on Asia and was attended by prominent international sports leaders and experts.
The meetings reflect the Kingdom’s and the Ministry of Sport’s efforts to support international initiatives aimed at fostering a fair and transparent sporting environment, combating doping, and enhancing the global sports landscape.
WADA was established in 1999 as a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the integrity of sports through anti-doping efforts.
The agency collaborates with international sports organizations and is governed by a foundation board comprising 42 members, including 21 ministers and 21 representatives from international Olympic committees, federations, athletes and national anti-doping organizations.


Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win

Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
Updated 05 December 2024
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Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win

Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
  • Pakistan was seeking series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively
  • Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in ODI series, now head to South Africa for eight-match all-formats tour

BULAWAYO: Zimbabwe grabbed a consolation two-wicket victory over Pakistan in a thrilling final Twenty20 international on Thursday, with tailender Richard Ngarava getting them over the line with one ball to spare.
Pakistan, seeking a series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively, rested several key players and made 132-7 off 20 overs in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe responded strongly initially with opener Brian Bennett scoring 43, but the Pakistan bowlers hit back and the loss of home captain Sikandar Raza (19) spelt trouble.
Needing 12 runs from the last over for victory, Tinotenda Maposa struck a four, a six and a single to level the scores with three balls remaining.
Tashinga Musekiwa was caught by Tayyab Tahir off the bowling of Jahandad Khan to increase the tension at the Queens Sports Club.
Ngarava then became the hero, striking the penultimate ball back toward Khan. It hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end and deflected to mid-off for the winning run as Zimbabwe reached 133-8.
Top scorer Bennett said: “We have got Afghanistan from next week in all formats so it is nice to win and establish some momentum.”
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha reserved special praise for batter Saim Ayub and wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem after the two white-ball series victories.
“I think Saim and Sufiyan have long futures ahead and will serve Pakistan for many years. Saim has been playing all three formats and doing really well. Sufiyan too.”
Bennett hit a six and six fours in his knock as he took Zimbabwe to 73-2 before wickets started to fall regularly.
Agha was the leading Pakistan scorer with a 32 that included three fours while Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets for Zimbabwe.
Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in a one-day international series, now head to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour that starts on December 10 with a Twenty20 international.


Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red

Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red
Updated 05 December 2024
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Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red

Neuer banned for two German Cup games after first career red
  • A German FA (DFB) disciplinary committee said Thursday a “two-match ban” was the usual penalty
  • With Bayern out of the competition, Neuer would not serve the ban until next season’s German Cup or Super Cup

MUNICH: Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer was on Thursday hit with a two-game ban in the German Cup after receiving the first red card in his 866-game career.
Neuer was sent off in the 17th minute of the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 as the 38-year-old goalkeeper rushed out of his goal and collided with an advancing Jeremie Frimpong.
With Bayern reduced to 10 men, Leverkusen won 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Nathan Tella.
A German FA (DFB) disciplinary committee said Thursday a “two-match ban” was the usual penalty for “preventing an obvious goal-scoring opportunity for a foul without a goal being scored.”
The 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper apologized to his teammates for the red card on social media after the defeat.
With Bayern out of the competition, Neuer would not serve the ban until next season’s German Cup or Super Cup.
Neuer’s contract at Bayern expires at the end of the current season, meaning he would avoid the ban should he retire or leave German football.


The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up

The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up
Updated 05 December 2024
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The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up

The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up
  • The tournament will take place in 11 US cities from June 15 to July 13 in an expanded format with 32 teams instead of the previous seven
  • Europe got 12 places, South America six, while Africa, Asia and North America got four each

GENEVA: Soccer’s biggest ever global club tournament is coming to the United States next year and the 32-team group stage will be drawn Thursday.
European powers Real Madrid and Manchester City, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, recently crowned South American champion Botafogo and top clubs from Asia, Africa and Oceania are among the teams who are in the draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup.
The tournament, which used to be played annually in December, will take place in 11 US cities from June 15 to July 13 in an expanded format with 32 teams instead of the previous seven. Going forward the Club World Cup will be played every four years – just like the World Cup for national teams, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
Here’s what to know about the Club World Cup draw, which is made in Miami at 1 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Thursday.
What is the Club World Cup?
FIFA and its presidents have long coveted a prime piece of club soccer content.
The 2025 Club World Cup is FIFA’s most ambitious project, creating a month-long tournament in a mid-June to mid-July slot historically used by the men’s World Cup, which draws the biggest audiences in global sports.
The new club competition uses the traditional 32-team format used by the World Cup from 1998 to 2022. Eight round-robin groups of four teams each, and the top two advance to a knockout bracket of 16.
In allocating 32 entries, FIFA tried to balance getting the best and most watchable teams with giving all the world a chance to compete and develop.
Europe got 12 places, South America six, while Africa, Asia and North America got four each. One place went to Oceania and one to the host nation that should change for each edition.
Teams qualified by winning their continental championship from 2021 through 2024, or ranking highly with consistent results across those four seasons. Countries are capped at two entries unless more won titles. Brazil will send four different Copa Libertadores winners and Mexico three champions of the CONCACAF region. The other North American champion was Seattle Sounders.
Who will play?
Storied and wealthy European names are in: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. The current leaders of most of Europe’s strongest leagues miss out: Liverpool, Barcelona, Napoli and Sporting Lisbon.
Salzburg earned the last European entry last season based on FIFA’s ranking system though it can hardly be considered among Europe’s top clubs: it’s currently 32nd in the new 36-team Champions League standings.
Argentina’s big two clubs, River Plate and Boca Juniors, are in. The Brazilian and Mexican entries include, respectively, Fluminense and Pachuca, both currently 16th in their national league standings.
Africa’s entries include Al Ahly of Egypt — three times champion of Africa in the last four years — and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, which is owned by FIFA vice president Patrice Motsepe.
Saudi Arabia sends Al-Hilal, the 2021 champion of Asia, which won the domestic league last season despite losing Neymar to a long-term injury.
If they stay fit, the tournament will feature a new generation of stars such as Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will be there, with a FIFA thumb on the scales in October to give the team the host nation’s entry. Two other stars from Messi’s generation will miss out: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and Barcelona with Robert Lewandowski failed to qualify through their continental Champions League competitions.
Why is Inter Miami playing?
The previous version of the Club World Cup kept an entry for the host nation’s champion. But this time FIFA did not wait for the MLS Cup title game on Saturday, when LA Galaxy hosts New York Red Bulls. Neither will be in the draw Thursday.
Instead, Inter Miami, with the star power of Lionel Messi on the field and co-owner David Beckham, was given the Club World Cup place in October based on regular-season standings. It will play three group-stage games in Florida, including opening the tournament at the Hard Rock Stadium.
What are they playing for?
Money and a trophy. Which is more prized by club owners is a debate to be had.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised hundreds of millions of dollars in prize money, with reported guarantees of $50 million to top European teams, though it is currently unclear where from.
FIFA signed a global broadcasting deal Wednesday with streaming service DAZN to make all 63 games available for free. The value of the deal was not disclosed, and allows the streaming service to sell on rights to public broadcasters.
DAZN has close ties with Saudi Arabia, which promotes and stages top-level boxing title fights.
The new gold trophy has been fashioned by Tiffany and has Infantino’s name engraved on it twice. Plus his signature.
What is the tournament’s history?
Traditionally, the champions of Europe and South America played for the Intercontinental Cup. From 1980 to 2004 the game was played in Japan and usually in December.
FIFA launched a Club World Championship in 2000, played in January by eight teams in Brazil. It was not held again for nearly six years.
From 2005 through last year, the annual FIFA Club World Cup was played each December, settling on a seven-team knockout format: the six reigning continental champions and the host nation’s domestic champion. Hosts rotated between Japan, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Qatar and, for its final edition last December, Saudi Arabia.
This annual event was unloved in Europe. The UEFA Champions League winner typically arrived for two games in four days and took home the trophy. Chelsea in 2012 was the only European team to lose in the past 17 years.
When first elected in 2016, Infantino spoke of FIFA’s need for a bigger, more attractive and lucrative club event.
In his previous job as UEFA general secretary, he helped organize the Champions League, in peak years of Messi winning the title at Barcelona and Ronaldo with Manchester United and then Real Madrid.
First, Infantino had a secretive $25 billion deal for new tournaments including a 24-team Club World Cup worth $3 billion every four years from 2021. That was blocked by European soccer officials.
Agreement was reached to play an inaugural 24-team tournament in June 2021 in China. Europe was to send just six teams.
No broadcast or sponsor deals had been announced by early 2020 when the tournament was scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The June 2021 slot was needed for the postponed Euro 2020 and Copa America.
After the failed Super League project in April 2021 rocked European soccer, FIFA found agreement for a 32-team Club World Cup.