Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal has congratulated the Green Falcons for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Saudi boxer Yara Al-Amri’s life changed after history-making Asian medal win
RIYADH: The end of 2024 will always hold special memories for Yara Al-Amri. In December last year the young boxer made history by becoming the first Saudi woman to win an Asian medal in boxing — a new milestone for the Kingdom’s fast-growing women’s sports scene.
The Saudi Derby forges links with Kentucky Derby
RIYADH: Runners in The Saudi Derby will now be eligible to collect points for the Kentucky Derby in an exciting new link announced recently by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and Churchill Downs Inc.
Pep talks with Djokovic as Sabalenka vows to improve ‘in everything’
HONG KONG: World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she needs to improve her tennis “in literally everything” and how Novak Djokovic is helping her do it on and off the court. In a wide-ranging interview, the four-time Grand Slam champion talked about ignoring hate on social media, nearly quitting and her hopes and fears for life after tennis. The 27-year-old from Belarus is now the undoubted women’s number one but it was hard work and suffering which got her there, and some of it played out very publicly. Sabalenka, then two in the world, was reduced to tears as her serve spectacularly deserted her at a tournament in the lead-up to the 2022 Australian Open. “I couldn’t put one serve in. I was double-faulting 40 times.
Messi set for Argentina return in Puerto Rico friendly
Lionel Messi has rejoined the Argentina squad and could feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Puerto Rico, coach Lionel Scaloni said after the forward skipped their 1-0 victory over Venezuela to play for Inter Miami at the weekend. Messi scored twice in Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer on Saturday, and Scaloni said he would speak to the 38-year-old about his fitness before deciding if he plays against Puerto Rico. “I saw Messi play on Saturday. From what I know, he finished well.
USA Basketball names Heat’s Spoelstra as coach through 2028
MIAMI: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was named head coach of the US men’s team through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on Tuesday by USA Basketball.
Saudi Arabia World Cup bound after draw with Iraq
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia qualified for the 2026 World Cup Tuesday with a 0-0 draw against Iraq in Jeddah. The hard-fought point was enough to give the Green Falcons top spot in Group B and a seventh appearance on the global stage.
England qualify for World Cup with rout of Latvia
RIGA: Harry Kane scored twice as England secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 5-0 thrashing of Latvia on Tuesday. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in Riga before Kane took his tally for club and country this season to 21 goals in 13 games. An Andrejs Ciganiks own goal and Eberechi Eze’s strike rounded off the scoring as the Three Lions guaranteed top spot in Group K of UEFA qualifying with two games to spare. Thomas Tuchel has completed his first task with ease as his side became the first European nation to qualify. England have won all six of their qualifiers since the German took charge, scoring 18 goals without conceding. After a slow start to Tuchel’s reign with unconvincing victories over Albania and Andorra, plus a friendly defeat to Senegal in June, England have clicked into gear over the past two international breaks. Tuchel’s decision to leave out fit-again Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from his squad this month was questioned. But the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss has been rewarded for implementing continuity with his selection. Gordon is one of those to benefit from a run of games on the left of a front three. The Newcastle winger opened the floodgates when he cut inside to curl into the far corner for just his second England goal on 26 minutes. Kane had uncharacteristically missed a glorious early chance when he steered a Gordon cross wide. The Bayern Munich striker soon found his range with two goals in four minutes at the end of the first half to take his international tally to 76 in 110 caps. Despite losing his balance, Kane steered a shot into the far corner off his weaker left foot to double England’s lead. Kane then accepted the gift of a soft penalty