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Ronaldo on target but Al-Nassr kick off Saudi Pro League season with disappointing draw

Ronaldo on target but Al-Nassr kick off Saudi Pro League season with disappointing draw
Despite taking the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr could only manage a 1-1 draw against Al-Raed in their SPL opener. (X/@AlNassrFC_EN)
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Updated 23 August 2024

Ronaldo on target but Al-Nassr kick off Saudi Pro League season with disappointing draw

Ronaldo on target but Al-Nassr kick off Saudi Pro League season with disappointing draw
  • Al-Wehda and Al-Riyadh play out dramatic 3-3 draw, while 10-man Al-Taawoun score last gasp winner against Al-Fayha

RIYADH: Al-Nassr began their 2024-25 Saudi Pro League campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Al-Raed at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Thursday.

Last season’s runners-up took the lead in the 34th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo headed home a Sadio Mane cross from the left. The Portuguese star celebrated his goal with a traditional Saudi dance.

Al-Raed were back on level terms four minutes into the second half thanks to a Mohammed Fouzair penalty. Al-Nassr were relieved to see the man who gave away the foul that caused it, Aymeric Laporte, escape with a booking following a red card check by the video assistant referee but, despite that let-off, the home team could not find the winner their fans might have expected.

Elsewhere, in what turned out to be the match of the day, Al-Wehda and Al-Riyadh played out a dramatic 3-3 draw at King Abdulaziz Sport City Stadium in Makkah.

Australian international Craig Goodwin gave the home team the lead five minutes before the break but the side from the capital hit back six minutes into the second half courtesy of Ghanaian midfielder Bernard Mensah.

Goodwin restored Al-Wehda’s lead just after the hour mark, minutes after Al-Riyadh were reduced to 10 men when Hussien Al-Nowiqi was sent off. However, the visitors rallied and Ibrahim Bayesh equalized with five minutes of normal time left.

The 12 minutes of time added by the referee meant there was still the chance of some late twists and turns, and that is exactly what happened. Murad Khadhari looked to have won it for Al-Wehda in the 94th minute, only for Al-Riyadh to again pull level three minutes later when Lucas Kal scored their third equalizer of the night to secure a share of the points.

In the first match of the day, last season’s surprise package, Al-Taawoun, launched their campaign with a last-gasp victory over Al-Fayha at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.

Despite being reduced to 10 men after Abraham Alshuyl was sent off in the 81st minute, Al-Taawoun were not content to hold on for a point from a goalless draw, and they were rewarded for their fighting spirit five minutes into stoppage time when substitute Adam Mohammed grabbed the winner with a firm header.


Al-Ain to host first Abu Dhabi Grappling Championship

Al-Ain to host first Abu Dhabi Grappling Championship
Updated 19 sec ago

Al-Ain to host first Abu Dhabi Grappling Championship

Al-Ain to host first Abu Dhabi Grappling Championship
  • Hundreds of athletes from over 20 countries to compete at ADNEC Centre Al-Ain from Aug. 1-3

AL-AIN: The inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 will take place from Aug. 1 to 3 at ADNEC Centre Al-Ain, it was announced recently by International Vision Sports Management.

This initiative is being held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and under the banner of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro.

The championship will feature hundreds of male and female athletes from over 20 countries, including youth, amateurs, masters and professionals.

Saeed Al-Dhaheri, destination management director at the department, said: “As Abu Dhabi grows in prominence as a hub for major global sporting events, combat sports have emerged as an increasingly important pillar of our sport and entertainment vision for the emirate.”

The event will join other top shows in the UAE including Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, UFC Fight Nights, and the Jiu-Jitsu World Championships, Al-Dhaheri added.

“We look forward to new audiences in Al-Ain Region and across Abu Dhabi being introduced to this exciting and increasingly popular sport.”

Tareq Al-Bahri, general manager of International Vision Sports Management, said: “This event underscores the UAE’s leadership in hosting elite combat sports, offering a platform for athletes worldwide to excel.

“With the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, we aim to deliver unparalleled competition and establish a lasting legacy for grappling in the region.”

As part of the AJP Tour, competitors of all nationalities can participate across age divisions, from under 14 to over 35 in the amateur and professional categories. Winners will earn 2,000 ranking points and substantial cash prizes.

The event’s opening day will focus on professional bouts up to the semifinals, followed by youth and amateur competitions on the second day. The championship will conclude with third-place playoffs and finals.


West Indies suffer Test, T20 humiliation against Australia ahead of Pakistan series

West Indies suffer Test, T20 humiliation against Australia ahead of Pakistan series
Updated 29 July 2025

West Indies suffer Test, T20 humiliation against Australia ahead of Pakistan series

West Indies suffer Test, T20 humiliation against Australia ahead of Pakistan series
  • Australia beat West Indies 5-0 in T20I, 3-0 in Test series sweep in recently concluded tour 
  • West Indies take on Pakistan in another home series involving three T20s, three ODIs

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts: Australia completed a sweep of the Twenty20 international cricket series with a three-wicket victory over West Indies on Monday to finish its Caribbean tour with an 8-0 record.

Australia went into the last game on a 7-match winning streak following the 3-0 test series sweep and victories in the first four of the T20 internationals. It was Australia’s first sweep of a five-game T20 series and only the second at the most elite level after India’s in New Zealand in 2019-20.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect 5-0,” Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said. The sweep “was something we spoke about after the fourth game. We knew no Australian team had done it.

“It’ll be something we’re very proud of. Across the board over the five games, we played some really good cricket.”

After winning the toss for the eighth straight time, Australia sent the home team in to bat and dismissed West Indies for 170 two balls short of the allotted 20 overs.

Shimron Hitmyer’s 52 from 31 balls and Sherfane Rutherford’s 35 off 17 propped up the innings but the target wasn’t big enough to put genuine pressure on the Australian batters.

Ben Dharshuis took 3-41 and Nathan Ellis finished with 2-32, while spinner Adam Zampa returned 1-20 in his 100th T20 international after taking a wicket and having a chance dropped off his bowling in the penultimate over.

The Australians reached 173-7 with 18 balls to spare, with a 63-run fifth-wicket partnership between Mitchell Owen (37 off 17 deliveries) and Cameron Green (32 off 18) stabilizing the innings. Aaron Hardie finished not out on 28.

West Indies had Australia in trouble in the opening powerplay with Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph taking two wickets apiece, but the runs kept flowing.

Holder dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck, the first ball of the second over, when the Australian allrounder swung at a ball that shaped away and edged to short third-man where Jediah Blades juggled the catch but held the second grab.

Holder also removed Josh Inglis (10) at the end of the second over.

Joseph bowled Marsh (14) as Australia slipped to 29-3 after 2.2 overs and, after on onslaught of sixes, he had Tim David (30 from 12 balls) caught in the deep as Australia slipped to 60-4 in the fifth over.

From there, Owen and Green dominated with a succession of sixes, including one by Owen that landed on the roof on a pavilion.

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein was finally introduced to the attack to change the pace, and had an immediate impact with his second delivery to dismiss Owen and break up the important partnership.

Hosein also dismissed Green and Ben Dwarshuis to return 3-17.

Australia had a three-wicket win to open the T20 series before Josh Inglis and Cameron Green spearheaded an eight-wicket victory that spoiled Andre Russell’s last game for West Indies in the second game at Kingston, Jamaica.

The tourists then clinched the series on the back of a 37-ball century by Tim David in St. Kitts on Friday before Inglis and Green again combined to help them win the fourth game.

“A lot of guys had great series,” Green, who batted at No. 4 and was voted player of the series, said. “We’ve got about half a team who’re allrounders. That’s the beauty of what we’re trying to build here. A lot of depth.”

The sweep, he said, was a “massive” boost ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.

“You always want to win every game you can. T20 can be a bit of a lottery at times, so to build a bit of consistency is important,” he said. “Good signs.”

The Australians will host South Africa in a T20 series next month, and West Indies takes on Pakistan in another home series involving three T20s and three one-day internationals.


The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport

The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport
Updated 29 July 2025

The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport

The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport

When Princess Nouf Al-Saud started her role as general manager of marketing at Ƶ’s Ministry of Sport in 2018, she confronted a world unfamiliar with the Kingdom’s pulse.

“When I first began this journey,” she said, “I realized that many people around the world had never truly experienced our culture, our energy or our vision.”

Six years and more than 135 global events later — from the electrifying debut of Formula 1 to the pioneering E1 Electric Boat Race — Al-Saud now orchestrates a marketing portfolio that has drawn more than 3 million attendees and broadcast Ƶ’s evolution to more than 160 countries.

Her greatest triumph? Rewriting the narrative. Al-Saud told Arab News: “We’ve evolved from being seen simply as a destination that hosts events, to being recognized as a forward‑thinking leader in sports.”

Where skepticism once lingered, Al-Saud now projects certainty: “Today, the most important message is that Ƶ is not only open to the world, but actively shaping the global sports narrative.”

This conviction permeates every campaign — whether amplifying community participation at Extreme E or embedding cultural storytelling into the WTA Finals.

The most profound transformations, however, unfold in Saudi stands. “A decade ago, it was rare to see parents, daughters and sons attending events side by side,” Al-Saud said.

Now, stadiums brim with multi-generational energy. Al-Saud said: “Girls are proudly wearing team jerseys, parents are cheering with their children and young fans are recognizing themselves in the athletes they watch.”

She calls this phenomenon “a ripple effect where sport becomes a shared cultural language” — a testament to Vision 2030’s societal impact.

Challenging global perceptions remains intrinsic to her work. “We viewed every global event as a fresh opportunity to open a new window,” she said, countering stereotypes with experiential proof — be it through world-class venues or volunteers’ warmth.

Her creative arsenal relies on authentic storytelling: “We flip the script by designing campaigns that don’t just market a match or a race, they tell stories.”

These narratives, showcasing international fans’ pilgrimages or homegrown talent, serve a higher purpose: “Our role goes far beyond ticket sales; it is about inspiring the next generation of athletes.”

As chair of the Women’s Sports Committee, Al-Saud wields platforms like the WTA Finals as catalysts. “It’s never been enough to simply host a women’s tournament,” she added.

Her strategy is inclusion at every level: “We use these platforms to show that Saudi women are athletes, leaders, strategists and innovators.”

From mentorship programs to leadership panels, the objective is unequivocal: “Redefining roles not just on the court, but in boardrooms, production teams and strategy tables.”

Amid the scale of progress, human moments anchor her. She vividly recounts the Italian Super Cup: “Watching them, dressed in their club colors, walking through our fan zones with their children, laughing, taking photos, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride.”

In that instant, the mission crystallized: “It wasn’t just about the game. It was about Ƶ becoming a magnet for people who love sport, wherever they come from.” For Al-Saud, those smiles are more than rewards — they are proof that sport can build bridges no statistic can measure.


Manager Ruben Amorim is the right man for Man United, says midfielder Ugarte

Manager Ruben Amorim is the right man for Man United, says midfielder Ugarte
Updated 29 July 2025

Manager Ruben Amorim is the right man for Man United, says midfielder Ugarte

Manager Ruben Amorim is the right man for Man United, says midfielder Ugarte
  • Amorim took charge of United in November last year but guided them to just seven wins in 27 league matches
  • They also failed to qualify for the Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur
Finishing 15th in the Premier League was nowhere near good enough for Manchester United last season but the players still have faith in manager Ruben Amorim, midfielder Manuel Ugarte said.
Amorim took charge of United in November last year but guided them to just seven wins in 27 league matches and their worst-ever finish in the Premier League.
They also failed to qualify for the Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.
“We have to improve things,” Ugarte told British media.
“We are all very motivated, because we believe in the coach, we believe in what he wants and that is very important,” added the Uruguayan, who also played under Amorim at Sporting.
“Last year we made some changes, we changed our coach, we changed our formation.
“You have to have responsibilities when you play for United. Sometimes the connections take time to get to know each other. I already know the league, the rivals, which is important.”
United will play two pre-season matches in the US, taking on Bournemouth in Chicago on Wednesday and facing Everton in Atlanta on Sunday, before returning home to face Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9.
They begin the new Premier League season against Arsenal on August 17.

Nigeria’s women’s football team rise above poor management to clinch continental trophy

Nigeria’s women’s football team rise above poor management to clinch continental trophy
Updated 29 July 2025

Nigeria’s women’s football team rise above poor management to clinch continental trophy

Nigeria’s women’s football team rise above poor management to clinch continental trophy
  • Super Falcons’ comeback 3-2 victory over host Morocco in Saturday’s thrilling final was applauded by Tinubu and many in Nigeria, a football-loving nation where passion and hard work often triumphs over institutional challenges
  • Even as they triumphed on the way to the finals in Morocco, the backlog of payments was only approved by the president days before Saturday’s final

LAGOS: Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Monday hosted and splashed gifts on the triumphant national women’s football team who overcame poor preparations and missing payments to win their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

The Super Falcons’ comeback 3-2 victory over host Morocco in Saturday’s thrilling final was applauded by Tinubu and many in Nigeria, a football-loving nation where passion and hard work often triumphs over institutional challenges.

The continental success, analysts say, papers over the mismanagement of the women’s team by the country’s authorities. The success of the country had come in spite of the country.

“They have been able to dominate even though the Nigerian soccer authorities do not put as much funding, care, attention, and planning into the way the women’s national team is run,” Solace Chukwu, a Lagos-based football analyst, told The Associated Press.

A difference in treatment

The team had been owed match bonuses for years, once resulting in a training boycott in 2022. Even as they triumphed on the way to the finals in Morocco, the backlog of payments was only approved by the president days before Saturday’s final. They also could not hold competitive friendly matches and their training kits were said to not have been available.

It is a common problem in Nigeria where sporting competitions are often dogged by issues of underfunding, corruption, and mismanagement that have led to high-profile scandals resulting in athletes choosing to represent other countries in protest.

Women’s teams are affected the most, partly because of how women have always been viewed in the Nigerian society, according to Oluwashina Okeleji, a sport analyst with focus on Africa.

“The argument from the (Nigerian) federation is that the men bring more money than the women, but the truth is the women bring most prestige, honors, and titles to Nigeria,” Okeleji said.

A spokesperson for the Nigeria Football Federation, the country’s governing soccer body, declined to respond to the allegations.

Victims of success

The Nigerian women’s team has exercised a near-total dominance in African football, which is partly credited to a head-start in the women’s game. Nigeria created the first football league for women in 1978, years before their counterparts on the continent.

However, the gains have not catapulted the team to similar achievements on the global stage in what analysts say is a failure of the authorities to capitalize on this early advantage.

“The men’s team is huge generally within the administration of Nigerian football as the cash cow,” Chukwu said.

The gifts now promised by the president, including money and property, have not convinced the fans.

“This one-time payment and apartment does not make any sense. For what? What they need is investment in the facilities, the staff, and payment. The lack of investment in women’s football is one of the reasons why it is not as high quality as the men’s,” Funmi Obasa, a football fan in Abuja who follows the women’s team, said.