UAE Pro League review: Iniesta denied dream home debut by Ajman

28.08.2023 - 10:47 arabnews.com

Abu Dhabi: Emirates Club superstar Andres Iniesta was denied victory in an enthralling contest against Ajman, Al-Wahda reigned supreme in the capital, and Al-Wasl inflicted defeat on inconsistent Sharjah in an engrossing ADNOC Pro League matchweek two.

Friday night’s roaring start witnessed the ex-Spain and Barcelona legend slot home a 94th-minute penalty to put promoted Emirates 4-3 ahead amid fevered scenes after being 3-1 down at half-time, only for nerveless Bahrain winger Ali Madan to spoil the party with a 105th-minute spot-kick of his own to secure Ajman’s 4-4 draw.

The Abu Dhabi Derby spoils, meanwhile, were earned by Pitso Mosimane’s measured Al-Wahda, courtesy of Brazil defensive midfielder Fernando’s own goal in a 2-1 victory at neighbours Al-Jazira.

Sunday’s denouement featured a 3-1 triumph for Al-Wasl at star-studded Sharjah, which saw a composed opening goal in yellow for Switzerland center forward Haris Seferovic, and returning star Caio Canedo’s first effort for the club since May 2019.

Football world athletics championships Roberto Mancini Andres Iniesta France Spain Switzerland Brazil Uae Saudi Arabia Bahrain

The new Roshn Saudi League season is slowly getting into gear and, with world class talent on display and the planet watching, it seems as if every game is a massive one.

Hermoso becomes leader of sexism stand after World Cup triumph

BARCELONA, Spain: Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso shone at the Women’s World Cup, steering her country to the trophy for the first time, but in the aftermath she has unexpectedly become the leader of a stand against sexism in Spanish football. Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed her during the medal ceremony in Sydney, provoking a wave of criticism and drawing worldwide focus, overshadowing the team’s triumph. Rubiales refused to resign and insisted the kiss was consensual, which Hermoso, 33, denied. The world initially took the fight to Rubiales on Hermoso’s behalf while she was away on holiday with her team-mates, celebrating “the best feeling” she has ever had in football. Eventually, after Rubiales produced a defiant speech in which he refused to resign from his post, the situation exploded and Hermoso issued a strongly worded statement in which she clarified she felt the “victim of an assault, a macho act.” Hermoso and 81 other Spain players announced a strike from the national team, saying they will not return until the leadership has changed, while world football’s governing body FIFA suspended Rubiales. Spain’s top criminal court opened a preliminary “sexual assault” probe into his kiss and invited Hermoso to file suit. Regardless of all that followed it, the World Cup victory is the crowning glory of Hermoso’s sporting career. The grand-daughter of former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Hernandez, Madrid-born Hermoso started at youth level with Atletico. Hermoso played often in parks as a child and thinks it helped shape her style. She enjoyed watching Fernando Redondo and Zinedine Zidane who were then at Real Madrid, but had no real idol of her own until she joined Atletico. T

Atletico crush dismal Rayo in seven-goal rout

BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid dismantled city rivals Rayo Vallecano 7-0 in Monday night with a ruthless display and their largest ever away win in La Liga. Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring early on, before his strike partner Memphis Depay netted the second from close range from Saul Niguez’s cross. Atletico lost the Dutch forward to injury in the first half, but Nahuel Molina slid home the third to kill the game before half-time. Substitute Alvaro Morata netted in the 73rd minute and then again after Angel Correa grabbed the fifth, with Marcos Llorente finishing the rout late on. “We had a great game from the start, with a lot of intensity,” Antoine Griezmann told Movistar. “They’re three important points and I’m very happy with the team’s work today.” Atletico’s emphatic victory took them second in the table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid. Rayo had started the season well, with two wins in their first two matches, but were brought crashing back down to earth by Diego Simeone’s side. “They were better in every way,” said Rayo midfielder Oscar Valentin. “We are not this bad — we just have to continue and forget about what happened today.” Earlier Getafe snatched a 1-0 home win over Alaves, their first triumph of the season.

Abu Dhabi to host fifth FIFCO World Corporate Champions Cup

ABU DHABI: The fifth edition of the FIFCO World Corporate Champions Cup will be hosted in Abu Dhabi from Nov. 3 to 5, the International Federation of Corporate Football (FIFCO) announced Tuesday.

Roberto Mancini officially unveiled as manager of Saudi national team

RIYADH: Roberto Mancini was officially unveiled as the manager of the Saudi national team at a ceremony in Riyadh on Monday.