Al-Hilal win to keep in touch at the top
Al-Hilal won 2-0 at Al-Taawoun on Saturday to cut Al-Ittihad’s lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League back to four points.
Al-Hilal Sport News
Tsitsipas sets up final clash with Auger-Aliassime at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
DUBAI: Stefanos Tsitsipas will compete in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for a third time in four appearances after easing past Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 on Friday.
England wins the toss and bats against South Africa in Champions Trophy match
KARACHI: In his final game as captain, Jos Buttler won the toss and England decided to bat against South Africa at the Champions Trophy. England is already out of the tournament with two straight defeats — it lost to Australia by five wickets and to Afghanistan by eight runs. Buttler announced on Friday that he would step down after England’s surprising exit, as well as its past failures in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Cricket World Cup. South Africa is in a must-win position in the final group B game — victory against England will confirm its top spot from the group and a place in the semifinals. The Proteas have made two changes — skipper Temba Bavuma and batter Tony de Zorzi miss out owing to illness.
Casteels stands tall as Al-Qadsiah continue to rise in the Saudi Pro League
LONDON: Something special is happening at Al-Qadsiah this season. Since returning to the Saudi Pro League after a five-year absence, coach Michel’s side — emboldened by a host of new summer arrivals — is defying expectations and stands on the brink of a historic campaign.
Real Madrid close in on Vinicius contract extension amid Saudi interest
MADRID: Real Madrid are close to agreeing a contract extension with Vinicius Jr. after discussions began in January amid interest from Saudi Arabia to sign FIFA’s Player of the Year to a record-breaking deal, multiple sources told Reuters on Thursday.
Manchester City to face Urawa at Club World Cup after Asian champion beats Mexico’s León
JEDDAH: Manchester City will play Urawa Red Diamonds in the Club World Cup semifinals after the Asian champion beat León of Mexico 1-0 on Friday. Saudi Arabian champion Al-Ittihad, captained by Karim Benzema, played Al Ahly, the Egyptian champion of Africa, later Friday in the other second-round game. The winner will face Fluminense of Brazil in the semifinals next week. Urawa’s win was sealed with a 78th-minute goal by Dutch forward Alex Schalk, who squeezed a low, angled shot past advancing León goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota. Schalk’s journey from his native Netherlands to Japan took him via the north of Scotland, where he spent three seasons at Ross County, and to Switzerland with Servette, where the first of his four years was in the second division. Urawa earned their place at the seven-team Club World Cup by winning the Asian Champions League in February, beating Saudi club Al-Hilal in the final.
Al-Ittihad’s FIFA Club World Cup hopes dashed by Al-Ahly
Al-Ittihad’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign ended on Friday with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Al-Ahly in their second-round clash in Jeddah.