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Paris Saint-Germain shut down Bayern Munich, reach CWC semis

Paris Saint-Germain shut down Bayern Munich, reach CWC semis
Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue scores the game’s opening goal during their Club World Cup quarterfinal match against Bayern Munich in Atlanta, July 5, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 05 July 2025

Paris Saint-Germain shut down Bayern Munich, reach CWC semis

Paris Saint-Germain shut down Bayern Munich, reach CWC semis
  • PSG played the closing minutes with just nine players after a pair of red cards
  • Bayern exits the tournament after being held scoreless for the first time

ATLANTA: Desire Doué scored in the 78th minute, Ousmane Dembele added a second in stoppage time and Paris Saint-Germain sealed their place in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich on Saturday in Atlanta.

Pairs Saint-Germain played the closing minutes with just nine players after a pair of red cards and still added a goal to seal the victory.

Referee Anthony Taylor dismissed Willian Pacho in the 82nd minute for his dangerous challenge on Bayern’s Thomas Muller, and sent off Lucas Hernandez in the second minute of second-half stoppage time for an elbow in the direction of Raphael Guerreiro.

But Doue and Dembele’s first goals of the tournament were enough to seal a meeting in East Rutherford, N.J., on Wednesday with the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made five saves to keep PSG’s fourth clean sheet of the tournament.

Bayern exits the tournament after being held scoreless for the first time, on a day when they lost Josip Stanisic and Jamal Musiala to first-half injuries.

It was still 11-on-11 when Doue took Joao Neves’ pass, created some space near the edge of the penalty area, then unleashed a left-footed strike that found the bottom right corner as Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer slipped while trying to change direction.

Dembele doubled the advantage on a stunning foray forward despite the numerical disadvantage and some brilliant setup work by Achraf Hakimi, who beat three defenders off the dribble.

Hakimi then fed Dembele in stride for a first-time low finish that left Neuer little chance.

Bayern thought they had a chance to pull a late goal back when Taylor whistled for a penalty even later in stoppage time, only to reverse his decision following a video review.

Musiala departed on a stretcher at halftime after suffering a gruesome ankle injury following a tangle for the ball with Donnarumma that did not show any signs of ill intent.

Even Donnaruma was distraught after seeing the extent of Musiala’s injury, which came in the final seconds of the first half.

Twelve minutes earlier, Stanisic exited with an apparent hamstring injury.

Donnaruma made a pair of exceptional first-half saves.

In the 27th minute, he sprung to his right to parry Michael Olize’s goal-bound effort from just beyond the corner of the 6-yard box. In the 41st, he sprawled the opposite direction to keep Aleksandar Pavlovic’s effort — an intended early cross that was inches in front of Musiala near the penalty spot — from bounding inside the right post.

Neuer was also called into action during the first half, thwarting Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s effort from close range at the near post with an outstretched arm in the 32nd minute.

Four minutes into the second half, he dove left to deny Bradley Barcola on the break.


Pakistan suspends cricketer Haider Ali over UK police criminal investigation

Pakistan suspends cricketer Haider Ali over UK police criminal investigation
Updated 13 sec ago

Pakistan suspends cricketer Haider Ali over UK police criminal investigation

Pakistan suspends cricketer Haider Ali over UK police criminal investigation
  • PCB says probe being conducted over incident that reportedly occurred during Pakistan Shaheen’s recent tour of England
  • Board says it has ensured that Haider Ali has received “appropriate legal support” to protect his rights during the investigation

Islamabad: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday it has decided to place cricketer Haider Ali under provisional suspension, saying it was informed that the Greater Manchester Police was conducting a criminal investigation against the athlete. 

Without sharing details of the investigation, the PCB said the probe relates to an incident that reportedly occurred during the Pakistan Shaheens’ cricket team’s recent tour of England.

The board said in line with its duty to ensure the welfare and legal rights of all its players, the PCB has ensured that Haider Ali has received “appropriate legal support” to protect his rights throughout this process. The cricket board added that it respects the legal procedures and processes of the UK and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course.

“Accordingly, the PCB has decided to place Haider Ali under provisional suspension, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” it added. 

The cricket board said that once the legal proceedings conclude and all facts have been duly established, the PCB reserves the right to take “appropriate action” under its Code of Conduct.

“Until such time as the legal process reaches its conclusion, the PCB will not offer further comment on the matter,” the board concluded. 

Ali, 24, is a right-handed aggressive batter who has featured for Pakistan in only two ODIs but 35 T20Is and 164 T20s. In T20Is, he has scored 505 runs at an average of 17.41 and made three half-centuries. In T20s, the batter has scored 3,141 runs and scored 17 fifties.

He has played for renowned Pakistan Super League franchises such as Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi. 


Frankfurt sign Japan winger Ritsu Doan for its Champions League return

Frankfurt sign Japan winger Ritsu Doan for its Champions League return
Updated 07 August 2025

Frankfurt sign Japan winger Ritsu Doan for its Champions League return

Frankfurt sign Japan winger Ritsu Doan for its Champions League return
  • Doan joins on a five-year contract from fellow German club Freiburg
  • “I’m very happy and honored to be here,” he said in a translated video message to Frankfurt fans

FRANKFURT: Eintracht Frankfurt have signed Japanese winger Ritsu Doan to strengthen a squad depleted by the sale of Hugo Ekitiké as they prepare to return to the Champions League.

Doan joins on a five-year contract from fellow German club Freiburg, where he was top scorer with 10 goals as the team placed fifth in the Bundesliga.

“I’m very happy and honored to be here,” Doan said in a translated video message to Frankfurt fans. “I can’t wait to play in front of the supporters.”

Frankfurt are heading back to the Champions League this season after a third-place Bundesliga finish but will have a new-look attack after striker Ekitiké was sold to Liverpool for a fee of 69 million pounds ($93.5 million).

The 27-year-old Doan will be expected to team up with another new signing for Ekitiké’s center-forward role, ex-Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt.

Doan won the Dutch Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 2022 and has played 57 games for the Japanese national team. That includes all of its games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and a role in securing qualification for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Doan could make his Frankfurt debut Aug. 17 in a German Cup game against fifth-tier Engers. Frankfurt’s first Bundesliga game of the season is six days later at home to Werder Bremen.


Ex-international footballer dubbed ‘Pele of Palestine’ dies in Israeli Gaza raid

Ex-international footballer dubbed ‘Pele of Palestine’ dies in Israeli Gaza raid
Updated 07 August 2025

Ex-international footballer dubbed ‘Pele of Palestine’ dies in Israeli Gaza raid

Ex-international footballer dubbed ‘Pele of Palestine’ dies in Israeli Gaza raid
  • Palestinian Football Association mourned the death of Suleiman Al-Obaid on X saying he was killed in an Israeli strike targeting civilians
  • Eric Cantona condemns ‘genocide’ by Israel over the killing on Instagram

BEIRUT: A Palestinian former footballer, who was once nicknamed ‘Pele of Palestine,’ died on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike at a Gaza aid distribution center while queuing for food for his five children.

The Palestinian Football Association mourned the death of Suleiman Al-Obaid, who played for the national team, Khadamat Al-Shati Club and other local clubs, on their X handle.

“The former Palestine national team player Al-Obaid was killed in an Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip,” wrote the PFA.

It said in a media statement that 41-year-old Al-Obaid was regarded as one of the most talented attacking midfielders to play in the Gaza Strip League and was nicknamed “Pele of Palestine.”

French former player Eric Cantona condemned the killing of Al-Obaid on Instagram.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“He was named « The Pelé of Palestine » HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM COMMIT THIS GENOCIDE??? FREE PALESTINE,” the former Manchester United forward wrote.

Palestinian former national football star Jamal Al-Khatib mourned Al-Obaid’s “saddening death” and paid tribute to his family, former clubmates and PFA.

“Gazans have been suffering a lot because of Israel’s unstoppable atrocities. Thousands have martyred, including many footballers. Al-Obaid’s death is a tragic loss for the Palestinian football community,” Al-Khatib told Arab News on Thursday.

The former Al-Nijme and Al-Ansar forward added that people from all levels of society, including footballers and athletes, have been paying a hefty price for what Al-Khatib described by “murderous Israeli attacks on hungry civilians.”

According to the PFA, Al-Obaid represented the national team 19 times in the Asian Cup, Pan Arab Games, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and other friendlies. His debut was against Iraq in the West Asia Championship in 2007 and his last match was against Qatar in 2013.

Besides playing for Khadamat Al-Shati, he also played for Shabab Al-Amari and Gaza Sport, in positions including centre forward, right winger and right midfielder.

A father of two sons and three daughters, Al-Obaid scored 17 goals when he played for Gaza Sport and won the top scorer title in the Southern Governorates Premier League in the 2015-2016 season.

With Khadamat Al-Shati he won the league’s top scorer title in the 2016-2017 season, scoring 15 goals.

The number of dead from the Palestinian Football Association has reached 321, including players, coaches, administrators, referees, and club board members.


Ƶ Snooker Masters set to begin in Jeddah

Ƶ Snooker Masters set to begin in Jeddah
Updated 07 August 2025

Ƶ Snooker Masters set to begin in Jeddah

Ƶ Snooker Masters set to begin in Jeddah
  • Second richest tournament on 2025 World Snooker Tour takes place at Green Halls from Aug. 8-16

JEDDAH: The 2025 Ƶ Snooker Masters begins on Aug. 8 at the Green Halls in Jeddah and boasts the participation of 128 World Snooker Tour players.

Joined by 16 wild cards from Ƶ, the international field will be competing for a prize fund in excess of £2 million, making it the second-richest tournament on the 2025 WST. It concludes on Aug. 16.

Steve Dawson, WST’s chairman, said: “We are excited to stage the event in Jeddah for the first time and to bring the all-time greatest players to new fans.

“Our expansion into Ƶ is a huge step forward for snooker and a key element in our strategy to develop our sport globally. We are working closely with our partners in the region on the ambition to develop our sport at all levels, from the elite major events to grassroots participation. In years to come we would love to see professional players and even tournament winners from Ƶ.”

Judd Trump won the first edition of the event last year in Riyadh, beating Mark Williams 10-9 in the final.


Alhada Cup to headline Taif racing’s week three

Alhada Cup to headline Taif racing’s week three
Updated 07 August 2025

Alhada Cup to headline Taif racing’s week three

Alhada Cup to headline Taif racing’s week three
  • Trial winner Falah Zain bids to follow up in main event at King Khalid Racecourse on Saturday
  • Many familiar names will take to the track in Friday’s feature, the 2,000m Al-Shafa Cup Prep Open with a full field of 18 declared

TAIF: Racing returns to King Khalid Racecourse this weekend with recent comeback winner Falah Zain (Ƶ) set for a crack at the SR150,000 ($40,000) prize in Saturday’s feature Alhada Cup Local Bred Horses Open.

Trained by in the in-form Thamer Al-Daihani and ridden by Muhammad Aldaham for Kuwaiti owner Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Almalek Alsabah, the colt landed the trial for this on the first weekend of racing last month — and now faces 11 rivals in the final event restricted to three-year-olds over 1,400m.

Saudi Cup weekend form will be on display as the Ahmed Alshaia-trained Karimi, the mount of Abdulaziz Alfouraidi, bids to advertise the form of his runaway win in the Sarawat Cup.

However, he was only eighth in the trial two weeks ago behind Zain, and also has to reverse form with the runner-up, Fallat Kheir (Ƶ) for jockey Abdullah Alfairouz, trainer Ahmed Mohamoud and the powerful white stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons.

The daughter of Prospect Park boasts strong form, having been beaten less than three lengths in the Fillies Mile on Saudi Cup on Friday.

Another name to note on Saturday is Lacy Des Vialettes (France) who makes her return to action for trainer Mustafa Almosa in the opening Arabian Horses Fillies Open over 1600m.

Jockey Aseel Alsarhani’s mount was unbeaten in three starts at Taif last season, before winning in Riyadh and then losing her unbeaten tag behind the legendary Tilal AI-Khalediah in the Group 1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic. She could have a lot more to offer this campaign.

Many familiar names will take to the track in Friday’s feature, the 2,000m Al-Shafa Cup Prep Open with a full field of 18 declared.

This could arguably be the most absorbing event of the weekend with the eight-year-old Almaan (US) making his return to action for trainer Gaith Alghaith and jockey Abdullah Alawfi following a string of high-class efforts in Riyadh earlier this year, including fifth places to Rattle N Roll in The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Scotland Yard in the Tuwaiq Cup.

Derevo (Great Britain) was seventh in the Tuwaiq and reopposes for handler Hadi Gharawi, while Al-Daihani is represented by the highly tried Western City (US) for jockey Mohammad Alhubail and the Muhammad Aldaham-ridden National Gallery (Ireland).