Al-Dawsari, Mitrovic on target as Al-Hilal beat Al-Tai
The Al-Hilal machine goes rolling on after the Saudi Pro League leaders defeated Al-Tai 2-1 on Friday to record a 16th successive victory in all competitions.
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Champions Ahly drop more points in pursuit of 12th title
JOHANNESBURG: CAF Champions League title-holders Al Ahly dropped points for the second successive weekend when held 0-0 at home by Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria on Friday. After an away draw against Young Africans in Tanzania six days ago, the record 11-time African champions were expected to collect maximum points from the Group D match in Alexandria. But a defiant Belouizdad defense, backed by former Algeria goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi, contained an Ahly attack including Mahmoud Kahraba, Hussein el Shahat and South African Percy Tau. The result was a major boost for Belouizdad, who conceded an added-time goal to lose away to Medeama of Ghana last weekend. Medeama could not achieve back-to-back home victories, however, as they surrendered the lead in a 1-1 draw against Young Africans in Kumasi. Jonathan Sowah, recalled after being ruled out of the Belouizdad match by suspension, converted a 27th-minute penalty for group debutants Medeama. It was his third goal of the African campaign, and Ivorian Pacome Zouzoua also scored for a third time in the Champions League this season by equalising nine minutes later. Ahly have five points, Medeama and Belouizdad four each and Young Africans two at the halfway stage of the mini-league.
Saudi Arabia ready to host 2034 World Cup: Sports minister
LONDON: Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has talked up the sporting and economic opportunities of the Kingdom hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, saying his country is ready to host the world’s biggest sporting event. In an interview with the BBC, he raised the prospect of the Kingdom hosting the competition in the summer rather than the winter, noted the importance of sport in a country where the majority of citizens are below the age of 30, and discussed the progress made by the Saudi Pro League. The government has invested over £5 billion ($6.26 billion) in sports since 2021 as part of the Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy away from dependence on fossil fuels. With the FIFA Club World Cup set to begin in the Kingdom next month, Prince Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia is more than ready to host the biggest prize in football. “We’ve showcased that — we’ve hosted more than 85 global events and we’ve delivered on the highest level,” he said. “We want to attract the world through sports.
Steven Gerrard: ‘Extremely nice’ to have Moussa Dembele back for Al-Ettifaq
RIYADH: Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard said it was “extremely nice” to have Moussa Dembele back in Roshn Saudi League action after his No. 9 made a substitute return following knee surgery. The former Fulham, Celtic, Atletico Madrid and Lyon striker played the final 20 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Al-Shabab on Thursday night. The game at the new Al-Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh saw Ettifaq finish with 10 men following Demarai Gray’s red card, while the hosts ended with nine after Ever Banega and Gustavo Cuellar were both dismissed. While frustrated not to have taken all three points — Dembele nearly made the perfect return with a late header that went over the bar — Gerrard said that having his top scorer back was a boost.
Rashford must fight for Man Utd place, says Ten Hag
LONDON: Erik ten Hag says it is up to Marcus Rashford to force his way back into the Manchester United side after he was dropped for the midweek win against Chelsea. The England international was left out of the starting line-up for the 2-1 win at Old Trafford after a string of disappointing performances, with his attitude questioned after last week’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle. Rashford, 26, scored a career-high 30 times for United last season but has netted just twice in the current campaign. “Rashford is an incredible, good player,” Ten Hag said on Friday. “You can’t do it with 11 players, he can’t play every game, he’s not in this moment in the form he was last year but I am sure he will get there. “It is up to them (to get back into the side).
Saudi Games 2023: Al-Hilal claim basketball gold after win over Al-Nassr
RIYADH: Al-Hilal were crowned basketball champions at the Saudi Games 2023 on Thursday night after defeating Al-Nassr 82-68 at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex.
SailGP’s first all-women F50 training session takes place in Dubai
DUBAI: SailGP on Friday created a slice of history with the first ever all-women training session taking place in Dubai ahead of the weekend’s showpiece race.
New routes, races for Ras Al-Khaimah Half Marathon 2024
RAS AL-KHAIMAH: The annual 17th Ras Al-Khaimah Half Marathon is set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, featuring a new route on Al-Marjan Island as well as its first 10km road race.