University signs deal to boost Saudi student fitness
JEDDAH: The Saudi Sports for All Federation has signed a deal with the Arab Open University in Riyadh to cooperate on creating sports programs that will help build a healthy and active society.
Riyadh Sport News
Saudi Arabia’s Yasser Al-Shahrani undergoes second surgery following injury
RIYADH: Saudi national team player Yasser Al-Shahrani underwent successful facial surgery on Sunday in accordance with his medical plan after he was injured on Tuesday.
Odds stacked against African teams at World Cup, says Ghana coach
DOHA: Ghana coach Otto Addo said Sunday the chances of an African team reaching the latter stages of the World Cup will remain limited until the continent is awarded more places at the tournament. No African side has ever gone beyond the quarter-finals at a World Cup, although Ghana were a missed penalty away from reaching the last four at South Africa in 2010. Addo, speaking on the eve of his team’s Group H match against South Korea, said Africa, with 54 teams, deserved more slots.
Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ past best, admits Hazard
DOHA: Eden Hazard admitted Saturday that Belgium’s best chance to win the World Cup had come and gone but said they still have the quality and experience to lift the trophy in Qatar. Belgium, who finished third at the tournament in Russia in 2018, are still ranked second in the world but many of the much-vaunted “Golden Generation” are now in their 30s. “To be fair I think we had a better chance to win four years go,” admitted 31-year-old Hazard, speaking on the eve of Sunday’s match against Morocco.
Japan make five changes for Costa Rica World Cup match
DOHA: Japan made five changes from their team that beat Germany in their World Cup opener as they face Costa Rica on Sunday.Attackers Ritsu Doan, who came on and scored against Germany, Yuki Soma and Ayase Ueda come into the starting line-up as Japan look to take a big step toward the knockout round.Right-back Miki Yamane replaces the injured Hiroki Sakai, while fit-again midfielder Hidemasa Morita comes in for Ao Tanaka.Costa Rica make only two changes to the team that started the campaign with a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Spain in Group E.Teenage winger Jewison Bennette and defender Carlos Martinez drop to the bench, with Gerson Torres and Kendall Waston replacing them.Starting line-ups:Japan (4-2-3-1)Shuichi Gonda; Miki Yamane, Kou Itakura, Maya Yoshida (captain), Yuto Nagatomo; Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita; Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma; Ayase UedaCoach: Hajjime MoriyasuCosta Rica (5-3-2)Keylor Navas; Keysher Fuller, Oscar Duarte, Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Kendall Waston; Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Gerson Torres; Anthony Contreras, Joel CampbellCoach: Luis Fernando Suarez (COL)Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Messi magic guides relieved Argentina past feisty Mexico
LUSAIL, Qatar: Lionel Messi thumped in a 64th minute goal and Enzo Fernandez added another late in the game to give Argentina a 2-0 victory over battling Mexico in their World Cup Group C match on Saturday and reignite their tournament hopes.Messi, who equalled Diego Maradona’s Argentina record of 21 matches and eight goals at the World Cup, was nowhere to be seen for more than an hour before picking up an Angel Di Maria pass, finding just enough space and rifling in from 20 meters.Substitute Fernandez made sure of the three points when he curled a superb shot into the top corner in the 87th minute.The result restored order for the Argentines in Group C after their shock opening 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.Argentina, on three points, can guarantee progress with a win over Poland, top on four, in their final game on Wednesday.“Today starts another World Cup for Argentina,” Messi said.
Saudi Arabia ‘will keep focused and fighting,’ Coach Renard says
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s soccer players will remain focused and keep fighting until the World Cup’s last moments, their head coach said on Saturday after the team’s 2-0 loss to Poland. “I am proud of my players and football is a team sport in which there is success and failure,” Herve Renard told a press conference. “The most important thing is that we have one match (left) and we must remain focused.” After an epic win against Argentina in their opening game, the Green Falcons failed to soar to the same heights against Robert Lewandowski and his Polish teammates at the Education City Stadium in Qatar and so remain on three points in Group C.
In the zone: Fans flock to Mrsool Park for festival of football
RIYADH: Saudi football fans unable to attend the World Cup in Doha have been enjoying the next best thing thanks to a designated fan zone inside Mrsool Park stadium.