Iraq - players.bio

Sharjah stun Al-Taawoun in late semifinal turnaround

SHARJAH: Sharjah scored twice in injury time on Tuesday to beat Al-Taawoun 2-1 on aggregate and move into the final of the AFC Champions League Two. Trailing from the first leg of the semifinal in Saudi Arabia, the team from the UAE were facing defeat until goals in the 94th and 99th minutes turned the tie on its head and broke Al-Taawoun hearts. The Saudi Pro League team have only themselves to blame as they could have been out of sight after 15 minutes. Seconds after the start, Sultan Mandash raced free of the defense only to pull his shot just wide. Then, in the third minute, a defensive slip from Cho Yu-min gave Musa Barrow a golden chance just outside the area, but with just Adel Al-Hosani to beat, the Gambian pulled his first-time shot just wide. Undeterred, the men from Buraidah continued to pour forward in a threatening fashion and were then given a penalty.

Chahal stars as Punjab defend IPL’s lowest total of 111 in ‘best win’

CHANDIGARH: Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returned figures of 4-28 as Punjab Kings defended IPL’s lowest ever total of 111 to down holders Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in a thriller on Tuesday. Kolkata looked to be cruising at 62-2 before Chahal cut through the chase with his leg-spin, and the side collapsed to 95 all out in 15.1 overs at Mullanpur, near Chandigarh. Punjab were earlier bowled out for 111 in 15.3 overs but Chahal and company turned the match on its head to better Chennai Super Kings’ record — they defended 116 against them (formerly Kings XI Punjab) in 2009. Kolkata’s Andre Russell attempted to pull off the chase from 79-8 when he hit two sixes and a four off Chahal but Punjab held their nerve. Arshdeep Singh sent back Vaibhav Arora and then fellow left-arm quick Marco Jansen bowled Russell to trigger wild celebrations in Punjab’s home ground. “I have coached a lot of games in the IPL and that might just be about the best win I ever had,” head coach Ricky Ponting said after the close contest. Kolkata skipper Ajinkya Rahane and impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi put on 55 runs for the third wicket when Chahal broke through to get the captain back in the pavilion lbw. Ball tracker suggested the ball was outside the off stump, but Rahane did not take the review. “Pretty disappointed with the effort,” said Rahane.

Teammate: Lionel Messi wants to play in ‘26 World Cup’

MIAMI: Lionel Messi has a “desire” to help Argentina defend its World Cup title next year, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez said. Messi, who turns 38 this summer, has not announced his plans for the 2026 tournament being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was the Most Valuable Player of Argentina’s run to the championship at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Argentina has already qualified for 2026. In a recent interview with El Pais, Suarez was asked whether he and Messi had talked about retirement. “No, we do talk (about it).

Iraq boots Casas citing unpermitted exit as World Cup hopes hang by a thread

Iraq has sacked national team coach Jesus Casas Garcia after the Spanish manager left the country without permission, the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) said on Tuesday.

PFL MENA announces fight card for 2025 opening event in Jeddah

JEDDAH: The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the fight card for the opening event of the 2025 PFL MENA season, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Two Moroccan fighters set for ONE Fight Night 30 in Bangkok

DUBAI: Two fighters will represent Morocco at global martial arts organization ONE Championship’s upcoming show ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles in the morning hours of this Saturday, April 5.

Bayern survive St. Pauli scare to stay on course for Bundesliga title

BERLIN: Leroy Sane spared Bayern Munich’s blushes with two second-half goals on Saturday, as the Bundesliga leaders beat relegation-threatened St. Pauli 3-2 to stay six points clear at the top of the table. Sane settled Bayern’s nerves after an uneasy first half, as Vincent Kompany’s side struggled once again against weaker opposition. “It was a bit tight at the end, but we are really happy to have got the three points,” Sane told Sky. Having dropped unexpected points against Bochum and Union Berlin in recent weeks, Bayern were under pressure to avoid a third slip after reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen narrowed the gap to three points with a 3-1 win over Bochum on Friday. Sane insisted that pressure was a good thing for Bayern, “because it helps us keep our rhythm when we know we have to win every game.” Yet they looked sluggish against a fearless St.

Martinez punishment ‘out of Flick’s hands’ as Barca focus on title

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday he is focussed on winning games despite the threat of a potential punishment for an ineligible line-up rumbling on in the background. Flick selected Inigo Martinez in the 3-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga on Thursday, after the Spanish defender had withdrawn injured from the national team squad for their recent Nations League matches. Osasuna appealed to the Spanish football federation on Friday over Martinez being ineligible, citing FIFA rules regarding players which have not joined up with their national teams when called on. “We won three points and this is my focus, so I’m focussing on the next match against Girona,” Flick told a news conference Saturday, a day before leaders Barcelona host Girona in La Liga. “The other thing is not in my hands, it’s not about me.” FIFA rules state that players cannot appear for their clubs within five days of the last national team match, if they did not join the squad when called upon without the federation’s permission. Martinez played 90 minutes against Osasuna after pulling out of international duty with knee discomfort, as Barcelona took a three-point lead at the top of the table. The match was played on Thursday after being initially postponed from March 8, when a Barca club doctor died, with neither side wanting to play it this week but both having appeals against it rejected. Flick lined up against Osasuna with star striker Robert Lewandowski on the bench, although he later scored when appearing as a substitute. The Polish veteran has 23 goals in La Liga, leading the scoring charts, known as the Pichichi, ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe on 20. “Lewandowski is focussed on the success of the team, not just winning the

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Iraq Sport News

Sharjah stun Al-Taawoun in late semifinal turnaround

Chahal stars as Punjab defend IPL’s lowest total of 111 in ‘best win’

Teammate: Lionel Messi wants to play in ‘26 World Cup’

Iraq boots Casas citing unpermitted exit as World Cup hopes hang by a thread

PFL MENA announces fight card for 2025 opening event in Jeddah

Two Moroccan fighters set for ONE Fight Night 30 in Bangkok

Bayern survive St. Pauli scare to stay on course for Bundesliga title

Martinez punishment ‘out of Flick’s hands’ as Barca focus on title