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Isak strikes again as Newcastle beats Arsenal 2-0 in League Cup semifinal 1st leg

Isak strikes again as Newcastle beats Arsenal 2-0 in League Cup semifinal 1st leg
Newcastle United's Swedish striker #14 Alexander Isak scores the opening goal during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, in London on January 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 08 January 2025

Isak strikes again as Newcastle beats Arsenal 2-0 in League Cup semifinal 1st leg

Isak strikes again as Newcastle beats Arsenal 2-0 in League Cup semifinal 1st leg
  • Isak struck in the 37th minute to continue his outstanding scoring run with his 14th goal in 15 games

Newcastle moved a step closer to a first major domestic trophy since 1955 with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals Tuesday.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon at the Emirates Stadium put Newcastle within reach of the final at Wembley Stadium in March. The second leg is at St. James’ Park on Feb. 5.
It was Newcastle’s first win at the Emirates since 2010 and Arsenal’s first home defeat since April.
Isak struck in the 37th minute to continue his outstanding scoring run with his 14th goal in 15 games. The Sweden international was involved in Newcastle’s second in the 51st, when his shot was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and the rebound was converted by Gordon.
Despite being bought by Ƶ’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021, Newcastle hasn’t won a major domestic trophy since lifting the FA Cup almost 70 years ago. But it is close to second League Cup final in three years after losing to Manchester United in 2023.
Newcastle is also pushing for a return to the Champions League after missing out last season — sitting fifth in the Premier League standings and one point outside of the automatic qualifying places for European club soccer’s elite tournament.
Victory against Arsenal was a seventh straight win in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s team, which has been inspired by Isak’s brilliant goal-scoring form.
He fired in off the underside of the crossbar from close range after a long free kick was played into his path by Jacob Murphy.
It was Isak’s seventh goal in his last five games.
Despite in-stadium referee announcements being trialed for the match, an apparent push in the buildup to his goal did not result in referee Craig Pawson reviewing the sideline monitor.
It was Isak’s sharpness that led to Newcastle’s second. His effort from inside the box six minutes into the second half was parried by Raya, but Gordon was the quickest to react at the far post to fire home.
Arsenal was unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions and is second in the Premier League standings.
It had the chance to take the lead when Gabriel Martinelli burst through in the 29th and fired against the post.
Kai Havertz wasted a golden opportunity to pull a goal back when his attempted header from directly in front of goal came off his shoulder and went wide.
Tottenham plays Liverpool in the other semifinal, with the first leg being staged at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday.


Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation unveils new logo ahead of world masters championship

Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation unveils new logo ahead of world masters championship
Updated 23 sec ago

Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation unveils new logo ahead of world masters championship

Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation unveils new logo ahead of world masters championship
  • One of the sport’s four major global tournaments underway in Jeddah from Aug. 8-16

JEDDAH: The Saudi Billiards and Snooker Federation has launched its new logo ahead of the World Masters Snooker Championship — one of the sport’s four major global tournaments — scheduled from Aug. 8 to 16.

The launch took place on Thursday evening on the sidelines of the Roundtable Conference at the Media Center in the Green Halls of Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City in Jeddah.

The unveiling ceremony brought together the federation’s President Naif Al-Jaweini, World Snooker Tour CEO Simon Brownell, former world champion Ken Doherty, and Ƶ national team player Ziyad Al-Qabbani.

The logo features a modern, stylized aesthetic with symbolic elements, including a depiction of Ƶ’s map, reflecting the federation’s national identity and its alignment with future strategic goals.

Al-Jaweini said the new logo represents a pivotal milestone in the federation’s journey to build a distinctive visual identity that embodies its ambitions.

He said the timing of the launch coincides with the Kingdom’s hosting of the World Masters Snooker Championship, one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.


Kane hails Son partnership as Premier League’s finest after South Korean’s Spurs exit

Kane hails Son partnership as Premier League’s finest after South Korean’s Spurs exit
Updated 08 August 2025

Kane hails Son partnership as Premier League’s finest after South Korean’s Spurs exit

Kane hails Son partnership as Premier League’s finest after South Korean’s Spurs exit
  • “Massive congratulations to him and his career at Tottenham,” Bayern Munich striker Kane told reporters after his side’s 4-0 friendly win over former club Spurs on Thursday

Harry Kane paid tribute to his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Son Heung-min, describing their partnership as “one of the best” in Premier League history following the South Korean’s departure from the club. Son, who combined with Kane for 47 league goals to form a lethal partnership for the best part of a decade at Spurs, joined Los Angeles FC on a record-breaking Major League Soccer transfer on Wednesday. The 33-year-old South Korea skipper had moved to North London from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, bagging 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 appearances and leading them to their first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League title in May.
“Massive congratulations to him and his career at Tottenham,” Bayern Munich striker Kane told reporters after his side’s 4-0 friendly win over former club Spurs on Thursday.
“First and foremost, a great person. I’ve got to know him really well as a friend, and just how humble he is and how good a guy he is.
“I think as a player, you know, we had one of the best partnerships in Premier League history. We just had that connection that we loved.
“It’s a great way for his Tottenham career to end, to lift the trophy last year with the team… and now it’s a new chapter for him, he’ll go to LA, and I wish him all the best, and I hope to see him soon and we can catch up.”
Kane spent most of his career at Spurs after joining their academy as an 11-year-old, scoring a club record 280 goals in over 430 appearances in all competitions. The 32-year-old England captain joined German giants Bayern in August 2023.


Ƶ to participate in 6th Asian Yogasana Championship in UAE

Ƶ to participate in 6th Asian Yogasana Championship in UAE
Updated 08 August 2025

Ƶ to participate in 6th Asian Yogasana Championship in UAE

Ƶ to participate in 6th Asian Yogasana Championship in UAE
  • 6-member Saudi yoga team are led by coaches Khaled Al-Zahrani and Renad Khaled 

FUJAIRAH: Ƶ is participating in the 6th Asian Yogasana Championship in Fujairah from Aug. 9 to 10.

The championship has been organized by the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation, and the UAE Sports for All Federation, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Sharqi, crown prince of Fujairah.

The six-member Saudi team are led by coaches Khaled Al-Zahrani and Renad Khaled.

This participation marks a significant milestone in the development of competitive yoga in Ƶ.

The nations participating include Syria, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Iran and the Philippines.

Mashael Akram, the first certified Saudi international judge, will be on the officiating panel for the championship. She previously served as a judge for the 2023 Everest Yoga Championship.

Additionally, Lana Nazer has been nominated for the Asian Outstanding Yoga Teacher Award, in recognition of her efforts in promoting wellness in the Kingdom for 10 years.

Nouf Al-Marwaai of Ƶ has been president of the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation since November 2024.


Ƶ keep hopes alive with 77-73 win over Jordan

Ƶ keep hopes alive with 77-73 win over Jordan
Updated 08 August 2025

Ƶ keep hopes alive with 77-73 win over Jordan

Ƶ keep hopes alive with 77-73 win over Jordan
  • Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman is game’s top player
  • Basketballers play India in next FIBA Asia Cup contest

JEDDAH: Ƶ’s national basketball team kept their FIBA Asia Cup hopes alive with a 77-73 victory over Jordan in Group C on Thursday night at the King Abdullah Sports Center.

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman led the Saudis with 25 points, alongside eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals for an all-around performance, which netted him the TCL Player of the Game honors.

Mohammed Alsuwailem notched a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds, with six of their eight blocks.

They were the only players to finish in double digits for the team but eight players scored, with Ali Shubayli, Musab Kadi, Fahad Belal, Mathna Almarwani, and Marzouq Almuwallad chipping in with six points.

Ƶ play India (0-2) on Saturday at 6 p.m. local time, looking to sustain their winning ways and, more importantly, boost their chances of securing the No. 2 spot in Group C.

In other games on Thursday, China secured the first ticket to the second round and topped Group C by beating India 100-69. Taipei topped Group D by defeating Iraq, and also secured a second-round place.

Four matches will be held Friday, at the Al-Jawhara Hall in King Abdullah Sports City.

Korea plays Qatar, with both teams seeking their first win and second-round qualification. And Iran plays Japan, in a contest to top Group B.

The third match is between Lebanon and Australia, with the winner securing the top spot in Group A and a direct ticket to the second round.

The final match is between Syria and Guam, with both teams seeking their first win and qualification to the second round.


Canadian teen Mboko outlasts Osaka to win WTA Montreal crown

Canadian teen Mboko outlasts Osaka to win WTA Montreal crown
Updated 08 August 2025

Canadian teen Mboko outlasts Osaka to win WTA Montreal crown

Canadian teen Mboko outlasts Osaka to win WTA Montreal crown
  • Mboko, 18 and playing in her first WTA final, denied Osaka her first tour-level title since the 2021 Australian Open, wearing down the Japanese star
  • Before an ecstatic center court crowd, she converted eight of her nine break points, seizing her fourth win of the week over a Grand Slam winner

MONTREAL: Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko conquered four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Thursday, capping a fairytale run at the WTA Canadian Open with her first WTA title.

Mboko, 18 and playing in her first WTA final, denied Osaka her first tour-level title since the 2021 Australian Open, wearing down the Japanese star, 27, who has struggled to find consistency since returning from maternity leave early in 2024.

Mboko, who was ranked outside the top 300 to start the season and had climbed to 85th entering the week, is now projected to rise to 34th in the world.

Before an ecstatic center court crowd, she converted eight of her nine break points, seizing her fourth win of the week over a Grand Slam winner.

She ousted former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the second round and toppled reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in the fourth before saving a match point en route to a semifinal victory over former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina.

Displaying vintage power and precision, Osaka gave her inexperienced opponent little room to maneuver in the first set, gaining an early break on the way to a 3-0 lead and pocketing the set when Mboko, who had 22 unforced errors in the set, mis-fired on two forehands to drop her serve a second time.

Mboko turned the tide in a second set that featured seven total breaks of serve. Osaka looked bewildered as Mboko ramped up the pressure, the Canadian breaking her at love for a 5-2 lead.

Serving for the set, however, Mboko coughed up three double faults and was broken. Osaka capitalized on the reprieve with a hold at love, but Mboko took the set in the next game when Osaka sailed a forehand long on set point.

Osaka appeared demoralized as she was broken at love to open the third set.

Mboko couldn’t consolidate the break, but Osaka was on the ropes again in the third game, drawing a warning for batting a ball skyward in frustration after missing her first serve on break point — which she surrendered with another errant forehand.

That launched a run of five straight games for Mboko.

Winners were proving hard to come by for both players, and when the Canadian saved four break points to hold for a 3-1 lead, Osaka had a mountain to climb that finally proved too steep.

When Osaka smacked a backhand into the net on match point, Mboko dropped to the court as the crowd roared out one more ovation.

Osaka, who had appeared energized in Montreal after a coaching shakeup, posted her best performance in a WTA 1000 tournament since she reached the final at Miami in 2022.