Zverev and Fritz set to kick off Six Kings Slam 2025 in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Six Kings Slam 2025 tournament kicks off on Wednesday at the ANB Arena as part of the Riyadh Season events, featuring six of the biggest tennis stars in the world.
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Ancelotti calls for mental resilience after Brazil’s first loss to Japan
TOKYO: Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged his players to develop greater mental resilience after they suffered a shock 3-2 defeat by Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday, their first-ever loss to the Asian side. The Italian emphasized the need to learn from the errors that led to the hosts’ stunning second-half comeback as he prepares his squad for next year’s World Cup in North America. Ancelotti, who took charge in May following Brazil’s inconsistent World Cup qualifying campaign, has focused on building a team that is both adaptable and mentally robust.
Barcelona’s Lewandowski suffers thigh injury
MADRID: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has suffered a torn thigh muscle, the club said on Tuesday, with the Poland captain facing a spell on the sidelines that could rule him out of next week’s LaLiga clash against Real Madrid. The 37-year-old played the full 90 minutes and scored a goal in Poland’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania on Sunday. “Lewandowski has a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of the left thigh.
Aleksandar Rakic ready for undefeated Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: Aleksandar Rakic is returning to Abu Dhabi with one goal in mind — redemption. The Austrian-Serbian light heavyweight is set to face the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321 — Aspinall v Gane on Oct. 25 at Etihad Arena — in a fight that could mark a major turning point in his career.
France held 2-2 by Iceland, face crunch match against Ukraine
REYKJAVIK :France’s perfect record in their World Cup qualifying campaign ended as they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Iceland who got a late equaliser in an entertaining Group D clash on Monday.
France held in Iceland as Germany and Belgium close on 2026 World Cup
PARIS: Injury-hit France were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Germany won in Northern Ireland with a Nick Woltemade goal and Belgium beat Wales to stand on the brink of a place at next year’s finals. France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, were without a host of players in Reykjavik including captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured. They fell behind to a Victor Palsson goal late in the first half, but Christopher Nkunku equalized just after the hour mark. Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave Les Bleus the lead midway through the second half, getting his first senior international goal on his first start. However, Iceland were back level almost from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran through unchallenged to make it 2-2. France could have clinched qualification for next year’s tournament in North America with a win in Reykjavik combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan at the same time. But while they were dropping points, Ukraine were beating Azerbaijan 2-1 in the Polish city of Krakow — Oleksiy Hutsuliak and Ruslan Malinovskiy scored for Ukraine either side of a Vitaliy Mykolenko own goal. France are nevertheless three points clear at the top of Group D with two games remaining next month, and a win at home to second-placed Ukraine in Paris will wrap up top spot. “We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored two goals,” France coach Didier Deschamps told TFI.
Historic World Cup qualification for Cape Verde islanders
JOHANNESBURG: Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, booking their place in football’s global showpiece for the very first time. The team from an archipelago off the coast of Senegal with about 550,000 inhabitants becomes the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup, after Iceland, with just over 350,000, at Russia 2018. Cape Verde won Group D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, who hold the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon were held 0-0 by Angola in Yaounde. “Giving this happiness to these people is enormous...
Cape Verde overcome nerves to qualify for World Cup
CAPE TOWN :Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup on Monday, beating Eswatini 3-0 in their last group match to top the standings ahead of Cameroon and complete a fairytale campaign.