Al-Ittihad honor Benzema’s 501 career goals
JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad’s management and players celebrated striker Karim Benzema’s 501 career goals with a special ceremony before their practice session on Friday at the club’s stadium.
Cricket Sport News
Alcaraz downs Djokovic to reach US Open final
NEW YORK: Carlos Alcaraz beat 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Friday to reach his second US Open final, where he could face reigning champion Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz won 6-4, 7-6 , 6-2 to reel off his 36th victory in his last 37 matches. His only loss in that time came to Sinner in the Wimbledon final. The 22-year-old Spaniard is seeking his sixth major and second in New York after winning the title in 2022.
Morocco first African qualifiers for 2026 World Cup
JOHANNESBURG: Morocco trounced 10-man Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday to win Group E and become the first African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Ismaeil Saibari scored twice in the first half after Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off and second-half goals from Ayoub el Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi completed the rout
Suarez banned six matches for Leagues Cup spitting furor: official
NEW YORK: Inter Miami star Luis Suarez has been handed a six-match suspension for his actions following last weekend’s stormy Leagues Cup final defeat to the Seattle Sounders, tournament disciplinary chiefs said on Friday. The 38-year-old former Uruguay, Liverpool and Barcelona star was sanctioned for spitting at a Sounders official after becoming embroiled in a melee following Miami’s 3-0 loss. A statement from the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee said Suarez’s suspension would only apply to next year’s edition of the tournament, although Major League Soccer “reserves the right” to impose additional punishment. Suarez’s Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets has also been given a two-match ban.
Depleted Afghanistan edge UAE in a last-over thriller
SHARJAH: Pace bowler Fareed Ahmad kept cool in the last over Friday to foil Asif Khan’s aggressive hitting as a depleted Afghanistan beat United Arab Emirates by four runs in a tri-series match. After Asif opened the final over with a four, a six and a two, Ahmad beat the bat with the next two balls.
World Cricket Festival aims to create new sporting ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The World Cricket Festival was launched in Riyadh on Friday night by Cricket Investment Co. in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation.
India's Ashwin approached for Big Bash stint, says report
MELBOURNE :Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could be the first high-profile Indian cricketer to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) after being approached by the Australian board, according to a media report on Friday.
Hamilton’s grid penalty gives him ‘more to fight for’ in Monza debut with Ferrari
MONZA, Italy: As if a first Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari isn’t incentive enough this weekend, Lewis Hamilton says he has extra motivation for his first time in red at the iconic Monza track. A disastrous Dutch Grand Prix last weekend for both Hamilton and Ferrari culminated in the seven-time world champion being handed a five-place grid penalty — to be served at Monza — for failing to slow down enough while driving to the grid before the race. “I landed back home and then saw that I got this penalty and I was really, really shocked,” Hamilton said Thursday. “To get the penalty and get (license) penalty points was pretty hard core, but I’m over it, there’s no point moaning about it, I’ve just got to move forward.” However, that has only served to spur him on even more as Hamilton prepares to race at the Temple of Speed for the 19th time but a first with the Italian Scuderia. “It’s going to be challenging this weekend,” Hamilton added. “Qualifying is already… it’s already so close between us all, so just getting into Q3 is tough, getting into the top five is very, very tough. “Then, on top of that, to be set back five places is not great when you’re going into your first Monza GP with Ferrari, but in the end it gives me more to fight for and I’m very motivated to make up those places.” The 40-year-old Hamilton has had a difficult first season with the Italian team.