Al-Ahli may have lost the first leg of their AFC Champions League round of 16 clash with Al-Sadd in Qatar 2-1 on Monday, but the Saudi Arabians were the happier of the two teams at the end and they believe that a quarter-final spot is within reach.
Al-Ahli, who topped their group unbeaten, were 2-0 down at the break after two goals from Boualem Khoukhi and there was a fear the tie could have been over after the first leg. But the Saudi Arabians rallied in the second half, created numerous chances and pulled one back thanks to a header from Mohanned Aseri. It could turn out to be a vital away goal.
The second leg will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Monday when a big crowd is expected — and caretaker coach Fathi Al-Jabal is already looking forward to the test. “We achieved our first objective of scoring a goal away from home,” the Tunisian tactician said in the post-match press conference in Doha. “This could be of great importance in the return leg.”
Al-Ahli had 21 attempts on goal during the 90 minutes compared to 16 from Al-Sadd, which suggests they gave as good as they got in Doha and have the tools to open up the Qataris.
“It was a tough game between two good teams but were conceded the two goals in the first half,” said Al-Jabal. “We came back in the second but luck was not always on our side.”
Despite Al-Ahli’s second-half revival, Al-Sadd almost extended their advantage late in the game and it took two fine saves from Al-Ahli goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais to deny Baghdad Bounedjah and Akram Afif and leave the second leg very much in the balance.
“OK, we lost and this was a negative result but this is only half-time and there is a second game,” Al-Jabal added. “We will play next week in front of our fans and in our stadium. We have enough to overcome the deficit and progress to the next round.”
Jesualdo Ferreira, the Al-Sadd coach, has plenty of experience of knockout football with European giants Benfica and Porto and he feels his side missed a trick in not putting the tie to bed.
“It was not a satisfactory result for us,” Ferreria said. “It was important not to concede a goal but unfortunately we did. I was not happy with our defense today. We could have scored five goals with the number of chances we created. And in the end we were punished.”
The Portuguese boss is expecting a tough game in what is set to be a bouncing atmosphere in Jeddah.
“Now they need just a goal in the return leg to win on aggregate,” he said. “It’s a harsh result and I am very sad because of it. Not just the defenders, the whole team did not defend well. I want to be logical, not pessimistic, but the match in Jeddah will be a very difficult for us.”
Al-Ahli’s domestic season finished last month and they can rest up ahead of the second leg. Al-Sadd, meanwhile, have a big game just three days before the showdown in Jeddah. “We are playing back-to-back matches in different tournaments,” Ferriera said. “We have the Emir Cup semifinal against Duhail on Friday and then we travel to Saudi for the match on Monday. It will be difficult for us.”
Al-Ahli still feel confident of AFC Champions League progess despite defeat in Doha
Al-Ahli still feel confident of AFC Champions League progess despite defeat in Doha
- Al-Ahli lose 2-1 in first leg of last-16 tie
- But Jeddah outfit have that all-important away goal
Boisson ‘going for the dream’ at French Open after injury nightmare
The 22-year-old had already eliminated US third seed Jessica Pegula two days ago
PARIS: Lois Boisson has “resilience” tattooed above her right elbow and the 361st-ranked Frenchwoman demonstrated she had plenty as she stormed into semifinals of the French Open on Wednesday.
Boisson swept past world number six Mirra Andreeva in a thrilling two-set battle 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in just over two hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The 22-year-old had already eliminated US third seed Jessica Pegula two days ago.
A wildcard entry, Boisson is making her Grand Slam debut in Paris after seriously injuring her left knee a week before Roland Garros 12 months ago.
On Wednesday, the French national anthem rang out in the crowd as Boisson and 18-year-old Andreeva warmed up.
“It gave me the chill, I have to say,” said Boisson. “But it was extraordinary to have the crowd supporting me so much.
“Even though sometimes it’s a bit raucous and there is a lot of noise between two points.”
Boisson had trailed 3-1 and 5-3 in the first set but saved set points to turn the match in her favor.
She kept her cool as last year’s semifinalist Andreeva unraveled from a 3-0 lead in the second set to win the last six games.
A frustrated Andreeva received a warning from the umpire for blasting the ball into the crowd. She was then booed when she argued with the umpire over a line call.
“Obviously I expected it,” said the Russian of the partisan home crowd.
“I think that in the first set I managed it pretty well.. but obviously with nerves and with pressure, it became a little harder.”
Andreeva struggled with the pressure, hitting nine double-faults in total, and made 43 unforced errors to Boisson’s 27.
She conceded the final game to love as Boisson wrapped up victory on her first match point.
The player from Dijon advances to meet US world number two Coco Gauff, who battled back from a set down to beat Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-1.
“For sure I will go for the dream, because my dream is to win it, not to be in the semifinal,” warned Boisson.
“My routine won’t change, it’s been the same since the start of the tournament,” she added of her preparation for Thursday’s semifinal.
Former US Open winner Gauff, 21, said she would just pretend the home crowd was “cheering for me.”
“Just using it and not letting that get to you.”
Boisson becomes the lowest-ranked major semifinalist in the last 40 years.
Winner of the Saint Malo tournament on the secondary circuit in 2024, she was ranked 152nd before her injury.
“(It) was the toughest moment of my life,” said Boisson, who had only won one match on the main circuit before Roland Garros — at the modest WTA 250 event in Rouen on clay in April.
Her earnings this year have been 18,470 euros ($21,100) for a career-total 130,000 euros ($148,000).
Reaching the singles semifinals at Roland Garros will earn her a paycheck of 690,000 euros.
The winner receives 2.55 million euros and the runner-up half that.
“She’s probably a better player than her ranking right now,” said Andreeva.
“I think that if she keeps playing like this, freely and not being scared or afraid... I think everyone can win.
“It’s going to be pretty interesting to watch. I think if maybe she believes in herself enough, maybe she can.”
Boisson is the third player to reach the semifinals in her Grand Slam main-draw debut since 1980, following Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati who also did it at Roland Garros in 1989 and 1990.
She becomes the first French semifinalist at her home Grand Slam event since Marion Bartoli in 2011 — and the first in the Open Era to do it as a wildcard.
Saudi footballer Abdulmalik Al-Jaber shines on European stage
- Al-Nassr star’s performances in Bosnia put him at top of list of 9 Saudi players across 7 of Europe’s football leagues
- Faisal Al-Ghamdi played as key midfielder for Beerschot in Belgium
BEIRUT: Midfielder Abdulmalik Al-Jaber has been a guiding light among Saudi players making their mark in Europe following his impressive spell at Bosnia’s FK Zeljeznicar.
Al-Nassr announced on Monday the capture of 21-year-old Al-Jaber on a four-year contract after his strong season with FK Zeljeznicar where played 33 times, scored three goals and assisted in three more.
Al-Jaber’s performances put him at the top of a list of nine Saudi players who played across seven different European leagues last season.
Faisal Al-Ghamdi, 23, played 29 times for Belgian club Beerschot where he was a key player in midfield, scoring one goal and assisting in the creation of another.
Clubmate and forward Marwan Al-Sahafi also impressed, the 21-year-old scoring six times and making one assist across 28 games.
Mohanad Al-Saad, 21, played for Dunkerque in France and scored four goals in 15 matches — one of them against Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup semifinal, a proud moment despite the 4-2 defeat.
Saud Abdulhamid, 25, got some valuable minutes with AS Roma in Italy where he played eight matches, scoring once and making one assist. Four of his appearances were in Serie A, the top tier.
Midfielder Mohammed Al-Rashidi, 23, boasted eight appearances for Greece’s Panserraikos and a total of 184 minutes on the pitch.
Three other young players had a taste of European football. Hussain Al-Taha, 19, played three matches for Croatian side Vukovar, while Mishal Haddad, 20, appeared in two games for Vinkovci, also in Croatia. Yazan Madani, 20, played twice as left-back for Albania’s Egnatia.
With more Saudi players heading to Europe, it is clear that the future looks bright for talented footballers from the KIngdom.
These youngsters are gaining experience, growing in confidence, and helping to raise the profile of Saudi football on the international stage.
Middlesbrough sack manager Michael Carrick
- The former Manchester United midfielder had been in charge at Boro since October 2022
- “Middlesbrough Football Club has today parted company with head coach Michael Carrick,” the club said
LONDON: Middlesbrough on Wednesday sacked manager Michael Carrick after the Championship club missed out on a play-off place during the 2024/25 season.
The former Manchester United and England midfielder, who previously had a spell as caretaker boss at Old Trafford, had been in charge at Boro since October 2022.
The 43-year-old guided Middlesbrough to the Championship play-offs in the 2022/23 season but they have missed out on the top six in the past two campaigns.
“Middlesbrough Football Club has today parted company with head coach Michael Carrick,” the club said in a statement.
“Michael’s assistants Jonathan Woodgate and Graeme Carrick have also departed the club.
“We’d like thank Michael, Jonathan, and Graeme for all their hard work and unwavering commitment. We wish them all the very best for the future.”
Middlesbrough won just one of their final six league games to finish 10th in the Championship table, four points off the play-off spots.
Arsenal in talks with Partey over new deal as Jorginho and Sterling depart
- Partey’s contract is due to expire on June 30
- The Ghana international has been with Arsenal since 2020
LONDON: Arsenal are in talks with Thomas Partey to extend the midfielder’s contract, the club said Wednesday, while confirming the departure of a slew of other players including Jorginho and Raheem Sterling.
Partey’s contract is due to expire on June 30 and Arsenal said “discussions are on-going.”
The Ghana international has been with Arsenal since 2020.
Italy midfielder Jorginho, Scotland left back Kieran Tierney, Brazilian goalkeeper Neto and Sterling — at one stage a key player for England — are among those confirmed to be leaving Arsenal.
Sterling was only on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Arsenal have just finished second in the Premier League for the third straight season.
Pakistan clinches 14 medals at Asian Indoor Rowing Championship in Thailand
- Pakistan rowing team wins 10 gold medals, three silver and one bronze
- Championship features athletes competing on indoor rowing machines
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan bagged 14 medals, including 10 gold ones, at the recently concluded Asian Indoor Rowing Championship in Thailand, state media reported this week.
The Asian Indoor Rowing Championship was organized by the Asian Rowing Federation from May 26 to 31 in Pattaya, Thailand, to showcase the talents of indoor rowers from across Asia.
Unlike traditional rowing competitions held on water, this championship features athletes competing on indoor rowing machines, such as the Concept2 ergometer, simulating the rowing experience in a controlled environment.
“Competing against 25 countries, the Pakistani squad stunned traditional powerhouses such as India, Iran, Thailand, South Korea and Japan,” Radio Pakistan said in a report on Monday.
“Despite being a small contingent, the Pakistani rowers delivered an outstanding performance that defied expectations.”
According to a local news outlet, Pakistan won 10 gold, three silver and one bronze medal.
Key contributors included Pakistani rowers Abdul Jabbar and Muhammad Shahzad, who won one gold and one silver each.
Tayyab Iftikhar earned one silver medal and one bronze, the report added.
Radio Pakistan said the athletes received a grand welcome from the Pakistan Rowing Federation (PRF) upon their return to the country.
It highlighted that the athletes’ performance marked “a new era for rowing” in Pakistan. PRF President Hamdan Nazir and Chairman Rizwan-ul-Haq also praised the players for their outstanding achievements.
