Firmino hits hat-trick on Al Ahli debut

Sat, 12 Aug, 2023

Firmino hits hat-trick on Al Ahli debut

Jeddah: Brazilian forward and former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino hit a hat-trick on his Saudi Pro League debut on Friday as Al  Ahli Saudi FC defeated Al Hazem 3-1.

The 31-year-old skipper found the net in the sixth, 10th and 72nd minutes for the promoted team who also fielded fellow new signings Riyad Mahrez, Allain Saint Maximin, Frank Kessie and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Japan's title dreams dashed by Sweden

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Japan's title dreams dashed by Sweden

Auckland: Japan were eliminated from the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 following a 2-1 defeat to Sweden in the quarter-finals at Eden Park on Friday.

Sweden took a deserved lead shortly after the half hour through Amanda Ilestedt before Filippa Angeldal doubled their advantage from the spot early in the second half.

Riko Ueki missed a penalty with 15 minutes to play before Honoka Hayashi pulled one back in the 87th minute to set up a thrilling finale, but it was not to be as Sweden held out to book a date with Spain in Tuesday’s semi-final.

Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season preview

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season preview

Riyadh: Friday marks the start of the most highly anticipated season of the Saudi Pro League following a summer that saw an unprecedented number of high-profile stars arrive to the competition from across the top European leagues.

AFC Champions League™ finalists in 2013 and league champions in 2015-16, Al Ahli were surprisingly relegated in 2021-22, but have bounced back immediately and will kick-off the season against fellow newly promoted side Al Hazem.
 
Former continental champions Al Hilal and Al Ittihad as well as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr will be the main protagonists while there is plenty of excitement around Al Ettifaq who have invested heavily in hopes of bringing back their 1980s glory days.

Excitement builds ahead of AFC Champions League™ Preliminary and Playoff Stages

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Excitement builds ahead of AFC Champions League™ Preliminary and Playoff Stages

Kuala Lumpur: The race to book a place in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 will kick off on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, when 21 teams from the East and West Zones of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) begin their Preliminary and Playoff Stage journeys. 

The 2023/24 edition of the AFC Champions League™ will mark the first instance of Asia’s premier club competition shifting from its erstwhile Spring-Autumn calendar to that of an Autumn-Spring season.

Nakamura signs for Ligue 1 club Reims

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Nakamura signs for Ligue 1 club Reims

Lille: Japan international Keito Nakamura has signed a five-year deal with French club Reims for a reported fee of 10 million euros from Austrian club LASK, the Ligue 1 side said on Thursday.

The 23-year-old forward scored 20 goals in all competitions for LASK and had reportedly been the subject of interest from other clubs including Lille.

Paralluelo's extra time strike sends Spain through

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Paralluelo's extra time strike sends Spain through

Wellington: Salma Paralluelo hit an extra-time winner as Spain beat the Netherlands 2-1 at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 to set up a semi-final clash with either Japan or Sweden.

Over a tense 90 minutes full of incidents, Mariona Caldentey scored an 81st-minute penalty for Spain, only for Dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt to equalise in added time 10 minutes later.
 
With the quarter-final seemingly headed for penalties, Paralluelo, 19, came off the bench to produce a brilliant solo finish.
 
The result sets Spain up for a semi-final against Sweden or Japan in Auckland on Tuesday while the tournament is over for the Dutch, beaten finalists four years ago.

Preview - Q-final: Australia v France

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Preview - Q-final: Australia v France

Brisbane: Australia are determined to create history when they face France in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals on Saturday.

The Matildas will be aiming to secure a place in the semi-finals with victory against familiar foes France at the Brisbane Stadium.

Australia will go into the last eight tie on a high, having recovered from a shock 3-2 defeat to Nigeria to beat Olympic champions Canada 4-0 before goals from Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso earned them a win over Denmark in the Round of 16.

Preview - Q-final: England v Colombia

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Preview - Q-final: England v Colombia

Sydney: Colombia head coach Nelson Abadia is treating their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023  clash on Saturday against England like a chess game, confident his side's strength of character will carry them through to the semi-finals.

The fourth-ranked European champions will be favourites to win in Sydney, but the South Americans stunned world number two Germany in the group phase and are brimming with confidence.