Japan display talent, ambition to scale new heights at World Cup
Japan have never gone beyond the last 16 at a World Cup but they have set themselves the ambitious target of winning next year’s tournament after dominating in Asian qualifying.
World Cup Sport News
AlUla set to host Arabian Warrior: The Ultimate Obstacle Course Race in May
ALULA: The Arabian Warrior, the premier Middle Eastern obstacle course race series, is set to make history with its first-ever event in AlUla.
Rally Jameel 2025 to head off against idyllic backdrop of Petra
JEDDAH: The fourth Rally Jameel, the world-class navigational rally for women in the region starting on April 22, is set to ignite another exciting year of motorsports action in the Kingdom with a challenging mix of terrains, desert dunes and mountain trails.
Real Madrid making progress on Alexander-Arnold transfer: reports
LONDON: Trent Alexander-Arnold is closing in on a move to Real Madrid when his Liverpool contract expires at the end of the season, according to reports on Tuesday. The defender has long been linked with a move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer and talks between the 26-year-old and the Spanish giants are understood to be making progress. The England international, who came through the youth ranks at Liverpool and has been at the Premier League club for more than two decades, has been able to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January.
Swiatek gets extra security after harassment
MIAMI: World number two Iga Swiatek is receiving additional security at the Miami Open after she was harassed by a spectator during her practice. The issue comes after British player Emma Raducanu was targeted by a stalker during last month’s Dubai Open. Media reports said that Swiatek was verbally harassed by a spectator, who has a history of online attacks against the player, during practice on Sunday. “Security is a top priority. We monitor the network to catch these types of issues.
Big bucks Iyer leads Punjab Kings to win over Gujarat Titans in IPL
AHMEDABAD: India batsman Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 97 to set up a 11-run win for Punjab Kings in a big-hitting IPL clash with Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. Iyer’s 42-ball knock steered the team to 243-5 after being invited to bat first at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. Gujarat finished on 232-5 despite a valiant 41-ball 74 by opener Sai Sudharsan who set up a blazing start to the run chase, featuring a 84-run second wicket stand with England’s Jos Buttler (54). Both sides walloped 16 sixes each across the two innings on the fourth day of the cash-rich Indian Premier League T20 tournament. Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to a title win last year, has already gone some way to justifying his top price tag, after Punjab paid a whopping 3.17 million dollars in the November auction. The top-order batter started with a boundary off Gujarat’s South African import Kagiso Rabada and three balls later smashed a six. He allowed attacking opener Priyansh Arya to take charge as the Indian young left-hander hammered 47 off 23 deliveries before being denied his fifty by Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan. Gujarat’s Sai Kishore joined the bowling charge to strike twice in two balls, including trapping Australia’s Glenn Maxwell lbw for a first-ball duck, but Marcus Stoinis avoided the hat-trick. Maxwell walked back without a review but tracking technology later revealed the ball would have gone over the stumps as a dejected Punjab coach Ricky Ponting looked upset. Iyer stood strong as he took on the attack with sixes and fours and found support from Australian hard-hitter Stoinis, who smashed a 15-ball 20 before becoming Kishore’s third wicket. Iyer reached his fifty in 27 balls and kept up the
5 things we learned from Saudi’s World Cup qualifiers
LONDON: Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Japan on Tuesday to follow the 1-0 win over China last Thursday. The results leave the Green Falcons on 10 points in Group C in the third round of 2026 World Cup qualification, three points behind Australia in second. Japan are already sure of first.
Battle of Kigali: Chelle… An opportunity to win fans’ heart, silence critics
Three months after his appointment, Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, will oversee his first game today as the Super Eagles resume their World Cup qualifying campaign against the Wasps of Rwanda in Kigali. The team will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Uyo a few days later. GOWON AKPODONOR looks at some of the challenges before Chelle, particularly his first squad selection and tactical approach against Rwanda in the battle of Kigali.