Lots to work on as Roberto Mancini suffers losing start as Saudi Arabia coach

09.09.2023 - 13:21 thenationalnews.com

Saudi Arabia suffered a 3-1 friendly defeat to Costa Rica on Friday night as Roberto Mancini's tenure as manager got off to a losing start.

The former Italy coach, who was last month confirmed as the new boss of the Green Falcons, took charge of the team for the first time in a game played at Newcastle United's St James's Park stadium, but will have been disappointed as they were soundly beaten by Los Ticos.

For the Costa Ricans, the game was notable for the return of former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas. The 36-year-old Navas had not played for Costa Rica since last year's World Cup in Qatar, missing a couple of friendlies and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.

The Central Americans took the lead in the 12th minute when defender Francisco Calvo headed home Joel Campbell's cross. Manfred Ugalde made it 2-0 just past the half-hour mark with another header in the six-yard box from Jimmy Marin's pass.

Boxing UPS on as Roberto Mancini Newcastle United Keylor Navas Qatar Croatia Italy Usa Uae Saudi Arabia South Korea Costa Rica

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia lost 1-0 to South Korea, following a 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica four days earlier. In Newcastle, a first-half header from Cho Gue-song proved to be the difference between the two Asian powerhouses.

Five talking points from Roberto Mancini’s first games as Saudi Arabia head coach

A few weeks after his appointment as new Saudi Arabia head coach, Italian Roberto Mancini took to the dugout for his first matches, a double-header of friendlies against Costa Rica and South Korea.

Riyadh Stars team win Saudi Arabia’s 1st Women’s Hockey Championship

RIYADH: Hockey team Riyadh Stars have won the Kingdom’s first Women’s Championship and received their award from Saudi Hockey Federation’s President Mohammed Al-Mandil on Monday. Al-Mandil handed the cup and gold medals to the winners of the tournament, which took place at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh from Sept. 10-11. Riyadh Najd took second place and collected silver medals, while the Jeddah Pearls team were third. Al-Mandil also crowned Najd Falcons winners of the Hockey Championship (men’s category), while the Arab Legends team came second and the British School third. Asmaa Al-Shami was the female tournament’s best goalkeeper while Kayra Ingerir won the award for top scorer.

International fencing delegation looks at Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host World Championship

RIYADH: A delegation representing the International Fencing Federation has arrived in Saudi Arabia to ascertain the Kingdom’s readiness to host the World Fencing Championship for Juniors and Youth in April. Headed by the IFF’s CEO Nathalie Rodriguez, along with her companions, and accompanied by Tunisian Ziad Al-Friyani, the competition director and head of the legal committee, the delegation is visiting the Kingdom to examine the preparations in Riyadh, which hosts the championship between April 12 and 20 next year. Ahmed Al-Sabban, the president of the Saudi Arabian Fencing Federation, and Abdullah Al-Sunidi, the federation’s executive director, are accompanying the delegation during the three-day visit, said a media statement. A meeting will be held on Wednesday with Al-Sabban to discuss hosting requirements and needs. The delegation on Tuesday visited the sports hall at King Saud University which is due to host the championship, and toured the premises and looked at transportation and technical requirements. The IFF’s General Assembly in November named Riyadh as host of the major global event.

Costa Rica beat Saudi Arabia 3-1 in friendly as keeper Navas returns

NEWCASTLE, England : Costa Rica earned a 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia at St James' Park, Newcastle on Friday in a friendly match that saw the return of captain Keylor Navas to the Ticos goal.