Australia coach Arnold calls up uncapped Yengi for 2026 qualifiers
MELBOURNE : Australia coach Graham Arnold has called up uncapped striker Kusini Yengi into his squad for the team's opening World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.
Craig Goodwin Sport News
Saudi footballer Hassan Kadesh misses out on national team training on eve of Nigeria friendly
RIYADH: Saudi footballer Hassan Kadesh, who was suffering from a pain in his thigh, did not take part in the national team’s training session on Thursday ahead of their friendly match against Nigeria on Friday. Meanwhile, teammate Zakaria Al-Hawsawi took part in special exercises with medical staff. The game, at Portimao Stadium in Portugal, is part of the third phase of the Green Falcons’ preparations for the 2023 Asian Cup, which will kick off in January. Coach Roberto Mancini supervised the training session at the Cascade Wellness Resort. After warming up, the players took part in possession training and tactical exercises.
Ex-PSG boss Galtier takes job in Qatar
PARIS: Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Christopher Galtier has returned to management three months after leaving the French champions, taking over at Qatari side Al Duhail. Galtier, 57, won the Ligue 1 title with PSG but lasted just one season at the club after a poor second half of the campaign. The final weeks of his reign were marred by accusations of racism during his previous job at Nice. He has vehemently denied the accusations but will stand trial in December. At Al Duhail he will inherit a squad including former Liverpool and Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho. Galtier succeeds Hernan Crespo after the club parted ways with the ex-Argentina international who won the league with Al Duhail last season. The Frenchman will face an Al Nassr side spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in the Asian Champions League group stage later this month.
Mancini looking for Saudi Arabia fixes against Nigeria as big games loom
There are plenty connections between Saudi Arabia and Portugal in terms of high-profile players and coaches in the Roshn Saudi League and national team coach Roberto Mancini will need a little Portuguese inspiration on Friday.
Juventus midfielder Fagioli faces investigation for illegal betting
ROME: Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is under investigation for alleged illegal betting activities, an Italian prosecutor said on Wednesday, confirming earlier press reports. La Stampa daily said the 22-year-old was involved in a criminal probe targeting users of illegal online betting platforms, along with other unnamed suspects. “I confirm the news of the investigation,” Turin Chief Prosecutor Enrica Gabetta said in an emailed statement, without elaborating. Turin is the home city of Juventus, the former Italian champions. “Our client is dealing with the matter responsibly, with a view to maximum transparency and collaboration with the ordinary and sporting judicial authorities,” Fagioli’s lawyers Luca Ferrari and Armando Simbari said in a joint statement. “Nicolo is calm and fully focused on Juventus and the (Italian Serie A) league,” they added. The newspaper did not say what kind of betting Fagioli was involved in.
Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano out for several weeks with a hamstring injury
MUNICH, Germany: Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano has been ruled out for several weeks with a left hamstring injury, while teammates Matthijs de Ligt and Serge Gnabry are working on their comebacks. Bayern said Wednesday that a scan determined the extent of Upamecano’s injury after he had to go off toward the end of the team’s 3-0 win over Freiburg on Sunday, and that it puts “him out of action for the time being.” The French defender is likely to miss games against Mainz, Galatasaray, Darmstadt and Saarbrücken. He could be ready for the Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on Nov.
Saudi First Division League launches live commentary initiative
RIYADH: The Saudi First Division League has launched live commentary for football fans at matches. The initiative was used for the first time during Al-Najma Saudi’s 2-1 win over Al-Arabi in the FDL’s seventh round on Oct.
Back at Al-Wehda, Craig Goodwin enjoying being part of Saudi football’s revolution
Australian World Cup star Craig Goodwin was expecting to wear red this season. What he was not expecting was the badge that would adorn his red kit.