Saudi Arabia and UAE advance to quarterfinals, Palestine in semis of Baseball United Arab Classic

Saudi Arabia and UAE advance to quarterfinals, Palestine in semis of Baseball United Arab Classic
The playoffs and Championship game of the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic will take place on Sunday. (Baseball United)
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Updated 10 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia and UAE advance to quarterfinals, Palestine in semis of Baseball United Arab Classic

Saudi Arabia and UAE advance to quarterfinals, Palestine in semis of Baseball United Arab Classic
  • Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and India also advance to Sunday’s playoff round at Baseball United Ballpark

DUBAI: The playoff field for the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic is officially set after a series of decisive matchups took place on Saturday, with Pakistan and Palestine earning top positions in their groups and automatic spots in the semifinals, while the UAE, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and India secured their spots in the quarterfinals.

The playoffs and final will take place on Sunday.

“The semifinals and championship are shaping up to be absolute classics,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United. “Pakistan and Palestine both look great, and the UAE and Sri Lanka both believe they can finish with a trophy. It’s going to be an amazing evening of baseball at Baseball United Ballpark.”

As the playoff picture takes shape, the matchups are set for an action-packed day of baseball, with teams vying for a spot in the championship and the opportunity to compete for national glory.

India (A3) will face Sri Lanka (B2), followed by Saudi Arabia (B3) taking on UAE (A2). The winners of these games will advance to play Pakistan (A1) and Palestine (B1) respectively. The day will culminate in the championship game at 8:00 p.m. local time, featuring the winners of the semifinal matchups.

Saturday game recaps:

Nepal vs. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka took charge in a commanding 10-0 win over Nepal, led by an explosive offensive display and strong pitching. Center fielder Sameera Rathnayake excelled, going 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, three runs scored, and two runs batted in. Third baseman Roshan Samaraweera added to the effort, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. On the mound, right-hander Sugath De Silva delivered four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out two to help secure the victory.

UAE vs. Bangladesh

The UAE powered past Bangladesh in a 9-2 win, highlighted by standout performances at the plate and on the mound. Right fielder Lorenzo Riddle led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 outing, launching two home runs and driving in four runs. Second baseman Alejandro Perez and shortstop Chris Beyers each contributed two hits and an RBI, adding to the UAE’s impressive lineup. Right-hander Claudio Gomez controlled the game on the mound, throwing five innings with no earned runs and five strikeouts. Bangladesh’s offense was limited to just four hits, with right-handed pitchers Tanmoy Das and Salam Chowdhury struggling to hold back the UAE’s momentum.

Pakistan vs. Afghanistan

Pakistan continued its undefeated streak with a commanding 17-3 victory over Afghanistan. Shortstop Zan Shariff led the charge, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs, while left-fielder Amar Mahmood contributed a 3-for-4 performance, including a triple and three RBIs. Right-hander Syed Ali earned the win, pitching 1 ⅓ innings, allowing three runs, and striking out three. Afghanistan, still in search of its first win, struggled to contain Pakistan’s powerful offense as they fell to 0-4 in the tournament and were eliminated from the playoffs.

KSA vs. Palestine

Palestine extended its undefeated run with a decisive 12-2 victory over Saudi Arabia. Taking advantage of a struggling Saudi pitching staff that issued 14 walks, Palestine capitalized on every opportunity to secure the win and solidify their strong standing in the tournament. Saudi Arabia, unable to contain Palestine’s disciplined approach at the plate, now looks to regroup after the tough loss.

India vs. Bangladesh

India secured a dominant 9-1 victory over Bangladesh, advancing to the quarterfinals and eliminating their opponents from playoff contention. Left-fielder Siddarth Vaishnav led the charge, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. First baseman Narender Kumar added to the offensive attack, finishing 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. On the mound, left-handed pitcher Ishan Thakur pitched two innings, allowing one run while striking out three, and handed it over to RHP Tushar Lalwani who closed out the game with two scoreless innings, striking out five batters to seal the win.


DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup

DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup
Updated 05 December 2024
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DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup

DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup
  • A source close to the negotiations told AFP the contract was worth around €1 billion ($1.05 billion)
  • DAZN chief executive officer Shay Segev called the deal “groundbreaking“
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the deal as a great one for fans

MIAMI, Florida: British streaming service DAZN has been awarded the exclusive global rights to broadcast next year’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the US, FIFA announced Wednesday.

“The landmark agreement will see all 63 matches... live-streamed, free to view on DAZN worldwide,” read a statement from FIFA.

A source close to the negotiations told AFP the contract was worth around €1 billion ($1.05 billion).

The announcement came on the eve of Thursday’s tournament draw which is set to take place in Miami.

DAZN chief executive officer Shay Segev called the deal “groundbreaking.”

“We’re committed to ensuring that every fan can watch every moment of the thrilling action from this new prime club tournament,” he said.

FIFA are expected to announce next week that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. The Gulf nation is the only bidder for the tournament.

FIFA had initially held talks with Apple about broadcasting the tournament but those discussions reportedly ended in July and the organization launched a tender process.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the deal as a great one for fans.

“Through this agreement, billions of football fans worldwide can now watch the most widely accessible club football tournament ever — for free,” he said in a statement.

The tournament will see some of the world’s best club teams battle it out in what is effectively a curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup taking place a year later in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Twelve top clubs from Europe, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain, will feature alongside top teams from South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

In November, Inter Miami, who feature eight-times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, were handed a place in the tournament to represent the host nation.

Games will take place across the US from June 15 to July 13. The opening game will be held in Miami with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Yet for many, Infantino’s passion project is a tournament too far, an unwelcome addition to an already crowded global calendar that exhausted players say has pushed them close to breaking point.

Javier Tebas, the chief of Spain’s La Liga, has been one of the Club World Cup’s most outspoken critics, telling Infantino in October to cancel the tournament, citing apathy from broadcasters and opposition from clubs.


Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool

Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool
Updated 05 December 2024
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Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool

Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool

LONDON: Arsenal worked their set-piece magic to beat Manchester United 2-0 on Wednesday, ending Ruben Amorim’s unbeaten start to life in the Old Trafford hotseat and closing the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
United frustrated the home side and kept the crowd quiet at the Emirates in a cagey first half but Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock from a corner after the break and William Saliba repeated the feat.
The win leaves Arsenal in third place in the Premier League, behind Chelsea on goal difference and seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who were held to a 3-3 draw at Newcastle.
Amorim made six changes from the team that brushed Everton aside 4-0 at the weekend, dropping in-form Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford from his starting line-up.
Gabriel was a significant absence from Arsenal’s defense, joining Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori on the injury list.
Amorim traveled to London with two wins and a draw from three matches in all competitions, keenly aware that Arsenal would be his biggest test yet.
The Gunners hogged possession in the opening moments and had the ball in the net in the fourth minute through Gabriel Martinelli, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Mikel Arteta’s men should have been ahead just minutes later when Thomas Partey skewed his header wide from a corner.
Martinelli flashed just wide from another corner midway through the first half as Arsenal continued to look dangerous from set-pieces.
United were content to bide their time when they had the ball but they looked blunt in attack.
The visitors could have gone in ahead at half-time had Diogo Dalot not steered just wide with a right-footed shot in the 43rd minute.
The two teams, both in goalscoring form, produced a combined five shots in the opening 45 minutes, with none on target.
The game picked up tempo at the start of the second half, with Diallo replacing Tyrell Malacia for United.
Feeding off a more vocal crowd, a re-energised Arsenal put United under pressure, finally breaking the deadlock when Timber headed his first goal for the club from a Declan Rice corner.
Amorim reacted quickly, bringing on forward Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee and handing French teenage defender Leny Yoro his United debut.
Diallo won a free-kick after fine work on the right in the 66th minute and Arsenal were grateful to goalkeeper David Raya, who pushed away a powerful Matthijs de Ligt header from Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick.
Arsenal doubled their lead from a Bukayo Saka corner in the 73rd minute when Partey’s shot hit Saliba and beat Andre Onana.
Arsenal have scored more goals from corners — 21 — than any other side in the Premier League since the start of last season.
Onana got down well to save a Kai Havertz shot as Arsenal threatened to cut loose.
United just about managed to keep them out but Amorim will know that he has a big job on his hands.


Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid

Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid
Updated 05 December 2024
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Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid

Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid
  • The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on to the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks

BILBAO, Spain: Kylian Mbappe missed another penalty as champions Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday.
A week after the French superstar failed from the spot in the Champions League against Liverpool he endured further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to retain their four-point advantage.
Alejandro Berenguer fired Bilbao ahead early in the second half, with Jude Bellingham levelling for Madrid after Mbappe’s penalty miss.
However substitute Gorka Guruzeta snatched fourth-place Athletic victory in the 80th minute after a Fede Valverde mistake.
The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on to the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks.
Madrid were hoping to build on three consecutive wins in La Liga, despite missing Vinicius Junior and other injured stars, with coach Carlo Ancelotti bringing French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into the starting line-up.
Thibaut Courtois made an important early intervention to deny Spain winger Nico Williams, with his brother Inaki Williams lurking dangerously.
It was a first half of few clear chances but played with intensity before a packed San Mames stadium.
Mbappe found the net but the goal was ruled out for offside and the referee reviewed a Rodrygo penalty appeal but decided the Brazilian winger went down too easily.
At the other end Berenguer should have put the hosts ahead but blasted high over the bar after Inaki Williams’ clever backheel teed him up.
The forward made amends early in the second half by bundling home from close range after Courtois could only palm an Inaki Williams cross into his path.
Mbappe had the chance to level for Madrid from the spot when Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala barrelled into Antonio Rudiger.
After missing his penalty against Liverpool, Mbappe agreed to let Jude Bellingham take one against Getafe on Sunday.
However this time the French forward stepped up himself but his weak effort, again to the goalkeeper’s left, was at a comfortable height for Agirrezabala to parry.
Mbappe did play a part in Madrid’s equalizer, though, with a vicious drive from distance that the stopper could only push out into the path of Bellingham, who finished tidily for his fourth goal in his last four league games.
Madrid were only level for two minutes before Bilbao regained the lead through Guruzeta, who stole the ball as Valverde prepared to pass and fired low past Courtois.
Mbappe cut a deflated figure in the final stages, with one attempt to break in down the left quickly shut down by the Athletic defense to raucous cheers from their jubilant supporters.
Barcelona thrashed Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday to move four points clear of Madrid, who have played one game fewer.


De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak

De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak
Updated 05 December 2024
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De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak

De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak

MANCHESTER: Manchester City snapped a seven-game winless streak as Kevin De Bruyne played a starring role in a 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
The Belgian created Bernardo Silva’s opening goal and then scored the second before Jeremy Doku rounded off a much-needed victory for the English champions.
City’s barren run included six defeats to leave them 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool before kick-off.
However, De Bruyne’s return to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly three months helped resume normal service at the Etihad Stadium.
City move back into the top four and within nine points of Liverpool after their 3-3 draw at Newcastle.
Pep Guardiola had to shoot down suggestions of a rift with De Bruyne on the eve of the game after bedding him back into action slowly with a series of substitute appearances.
The 33-year-old showed what City have been missing as he rolled back the years and could well have had more than just one goal.
Guardiola reacted to Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool by making four changes as Josko Gvardiol, Doku and Jack Grealish also came into the team.
It took just eight minutes for City to make the breakthrough.
Ilkay Gundogan’s cross was headed back toward goal by De Bruyne and Silva was in the right place to tap home from centimeters out.
Guardiola claimed pre-match that Ederson remains his number one goalkeeper but the Brazilian was again benched in favor of Stefan Ortega.
The German made a big save to deny Morgan Gibbs-White before Forest missed a glorious chance to put the Etihad crowd back on edge.
Chris Wood’s fine goalscoring form has been the catalyst to a fabulous season so far for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
But the New Zealander was wayward as he fired wide with just Ortega to beat.
De Bruyne settled City nerves on 31 minutes when he collected Doku’s pass inside the area and coolly slotted into the top corner.
Erling Haaland has now failed to find the net in his last three Premier League games.
But the Norwegian did play a part in the third goal with the assist for Doku, who cut inside and fired into the far corner.
De Bruyne saw a free-kick curl just wide and was then denied a second by his international team-mate Matz Sels.
He was given a standing ovation when he departed 15 minutes from time.
City spectacularly collapsed from 3-0 up to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in the Champions League eight days ago.
However, there was never any sense of a repeat as they controlled the closing stages to add a clean sheet to an all-round restorative night for Guardiola’s men.
Defeat leaves Forest still in sixth but now four points off the top four.


Schar punishes Kelleher blunder as Newcastle hold Liverpool in thriller

Schar punishes Kelleher blunder as Newcastle hold Liverpool in thriller
Updated 05 December 2024
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Schar punishes Kelleher blunder as Newcastle hold Liverpool in thriller

Schar punishes Kelleher blunder as Newcastle hold Liverpool in thriller

NEWCASTLE: Liverpool’s seven-game winning run came to a dramatic end as Fabian Schar’s last-gasp equalizer forced the Premier League leaders to settle for a thrilling 3-3 draw at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Arne Slot’s side were seconds away from wrapping up yet another victory in a dream start to the season after Mohamed Salah scored his second goal of the game in the closing stages.
But, in keeping with a testing evening on Tyneside, Liverpool were unable to hold on as Schar punished a mistake from Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Alexander Isak’s first half rocket had put Newcastle ahead before Curtis Jones levelled soon after the interval.
Anthony Gordon restored Newcastle’s lead before Salah’s double took him to 15 goals in all competitions this season, including nine in his last seven league games.
Dropping points for the first time since a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on October 27, Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table is down to seven points.
After impressive 2-0 wins against Real Madrid and Manchester City last week, Slot’s men were hailed as champions elect in England and leading contenders for the Champions League.
Failing to kill off spirited Newcastle won’t change that status, but Slot will have noted the flaws in his injury-hit defense ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park.
With 18 victories in 21 matches this season, it was a surprise to see Liverpool rattled by Newcastle’s tenacious high press.
Despite their erratic opening, Liverpool couldn’t be completely subdued and Alexis Mac Allister’s snap-shot from distance drew a fine save from Nick Pope.
Again Mac Allister was inches away from the opener moments later with a low drive that clipped the outside of the post.
In the absence of the rested Trent Alexander-Arnold and the injured Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool remained unusually vulnerable at the back, an issue vividly illustrated as Jacob Murphy smashed a fierce shot off the far post from an acute angle.
It was a warning Liverpool failed to heed as Isak opened the scoring in the 35th minute.
Surging into Lewis Hall’s pass, Isak took a clever touch that wrong-footed Virgil van Dijk 20 yards from goal, opening space for a blistering strike that flashed into the roof of the net.
Gordon should have doubled Newcastle’s lead after Joe Gomez’s miscued clearance, but the forward’s hesitant shot was straight at Kelleher.
Liverpool were ragged and Slot threw his arms up in frustration after another Gomez mistake allowed Murphy to blast narrowly wide.
Yet in the blink of an eye, Liverpool conjured an equalizer five minutes after half-time.
Anonymous in the first half, Salah burst into life with a superbly measured cross toward Jones, whose run was perfectly timed to meet the Egyptian’s delivery with an emphatic close-range finish.
Newcastle were back in front after 62 minutes as Isak’s deft pass sent Gordon galloping into the area and he cut back inside before planting a composed finished beyond Kelleher from 10 yards.
But Liverpool’s resolve was unshaken, thanks in large part to the presence of the sublime Salah, as well as Slot’s decision to send on Alexander-Arnold.
Having set up Liverpool’s first goal, Salah hauled them level in the 68th minute, capping a flowing move with an instinctive close-range shot from Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
That was the signal for a late Liverpool siege and the visitors thought they had stolen the points in the 83rd minute.
Probing away patiently on the edge of the area, they pounced when Alexander-Arnold slipped a pass to Salah, who finished with typical aplomb.
However, there was a painful sting in the tale for Liverpool in the 90th minute as Kelleher completely misjudged a cross and Schar slid in to poke the loose ball into the net.