Who will emerge from the tightest group in AFC World Cup qualifiers?
Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China are locked in an intense battle to secure the final automatic qualification spot behind Japan.
Bahrain Sport News
Russia hopes for ‘return to Olympic fold’ under Coventry
“We look forward to a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous Olympic movement under a new leader, and to Russia returning to the Olympic podium,” Degtyaryov saidOne of the major problems Coventry will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of exiled RussiaMOSCOW: Russia hoped for a return from sporting exile on Thursday, believing the historic election of Kirsty Coventry as International Olympic Committee president will lead to a “stronger, more independent Olympic movement.”“We look forward to a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous Olympic movement under a new leader, and to Russia returning to the Olympic podium,” Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov, who is also head of the Russian Olympic committee, wrote on his Telegram account.One of the major problems Coventry will face will be the return to the Olympic fold of exiled Russia.In Paris last year their athletes were forced to compete under a neutral banner, owing to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.“On behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee, I congratulate Kirsty Coventry on her election as President of the International Olympic Committee!,” added Degtyaryov.“Her brilliant sporting career, Olympic victories, records, and contribution to the development of sport have made her one of the favorites in this campaign.”Russia dogged outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach’s tenure first with the doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and then Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
MLB star Mookie Betts to own first franchise team from new World Bowling League
LOS ANGELES: The World Bowling League has revealed its first franchise team, Team OMG, owned by Los Angeles Dodgers superstar and world-class bowler Mookie Betts, who will be joined by his lifelong friend and business partner with The One Marketing Group, Cam Lewis. The announcement marks the official launch of the WBL’s franchise lineup, setting the stage for a new era in the sport of bowling. The WBL, announced in 2024, combines new rules, mixed-gender teams, iconic locations and dynamic team-based gameplay to reimagine the sport of bowling, which is already played by hundreds of millions of people across the world. The WBL, via multiple broadcasting deals in place, will look to deliver fast-paced bowling action across key markets worldwide and provide a global stage for the world’s best bowlers. Betts is a three-time World Series champion, eight-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove Award-winner, seven-time Silver Slugger Award-winner and MVP-winner.
Barcelona, Osasuna appeals rejected over rearranged match date
BARCELONA: Barcelona and Osasuna’s appeals against the rescheduled date of their postponed La Liga match were rejected Thursday by the Spanish football federation’s appeals committee. The La Liga leaders will host Osasuna on March 27, after the game was canceled when a Barcelona club doctor died on the original date, March 8. Barcelona appealed against the new date because it allowed some of their players “insufficient time to rest” following international duty. “Precedent... establishes that national team call-ups are not sufficient grounds for rescheduling a match...
Summer fight night sees UFC return to Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: The world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, Ultimate Fighting Championship, has announced its return to Abu Dhabi this summer. The summer fight night, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, will take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on July 26. UFC’s return to the UAE capital follows two spectacular events last year. In August, fans were treated to an elite bantamweight showdown at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov, where Umar Nurmagomedov secured a hard-fought victory over Cory Sandhagen with a five-round decision.
Belgian club Anderlecht fire coach and rehire Besnik Hasi to the end of the season
BRUSSELS: Belgium’s most successful club, Anderlecht, have fired coach David Hubert and replaced him with Besnik Hasi until the end of the season. Thursday’s move came as the Belgian league enter their playoff phase. Anderlecht finished the regular season in fourth place. The 53-year-old Hasi, who also coached teams in Poland, Greece and Saudi Arabia, is returning to Anderlecht after guiding the team to the league title in 2014. He also played for the Brussels team. “I know this club and the expectations that come with it,” he said.
Japan First To Seal 2026 FIFA World Cup Spot As South Korea, Australia Get Closer
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as South Korea were held but still inched closer along with a rampant Australia. Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to give Japan a 2-0 home win over Bahrain and take their place alongside hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year's finals. The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until substitute Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute. In front of nearly 60,000 fans, Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan sealed their berth in style.
Meski Indonesia Menekan, Australia Bisa Lumpuhkan Lawan Seketika
Timnas Indonesia tampil menekan saat dijamu Australia. Bintang Socceroos Jackson Irvine mengaku sangat kesulitan mengimbangi permainan tim tamu.