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As it happened: Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0

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Updated 14 June 2018
Arab News
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As it happened: Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0

  • Russia take the lead after 12 minutes through Gazinsky
  • Cheryshev makes it two just before half-time, Artem Dzyuba nets a third and then Cheryshev nets a brilliant fourth late on
Updated 14 June 2018
Arab News

FULL-TIME: Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0. That's the second worst defeat in finals history for Saudi Arabia, second only to the 8-0 hammering they received at the hands of Germany in 2002.

7.55PM: GOAL! Russia score a fifth through Aleksandr Golovin. That's just cruel on the Green Falcons. Pizzi's side haven't played well. but they were not five goals worse than the hosts.

7.51PM: GOAL! Cheryshev rubs salt into Saudi Arabia's wounds with a fourth late on. This has been a horrible opening night for the Green Falcons

7.40PM: Former England striker Dion Dublin: "If this was a five-a-side World Cup tournament, I think Saudi Arabia would do very well, and might even win it. But you cannot play 5-a-side on a full-size pitch."

7.39PM: Russia's Denis Cheryshev was the first ever substitute to score in the opening match of a World Cup. Artem Dzyuba is the second.

7.38PM: Saudi Arabia have actually enjoyed the lion's share of possession, seeing 60 per cent of the ball but they've clearly not been as penetrative as the hosts.

7.37PM: "Saudi Arabi played so pretty strong opposition in the build up to the World Cup but they've been very poor tonight," said former England manager Glenn Hoddle.

7.31PM: GOAL! And game over. Artem Dzyuba scores less than two minutes after coming on with his first touch. That's game, set and match for Russia. 

7.23PM: Saudi Arabia coach has made his move with just under a third of the match remaining, removing defensive midfielder Abdullah Otayf and replacing him with strike weapon Fahad Muwallad.

 

7.19PM: "I just don't think Saudi Arabia have the ability. If they are playing like this against a Russia side that has been criticised in the build-up to the match, then they are going to struggle in this tournament," said former England captain Alan Shearer. "They are just not used to playing at this level with this intensity, and against this physicality."

7.05PM: And we're back underway at the Luzhniki Stadium. Can Saudi Arabia pull a rabbit out of the hat and get back into this one?

7PM: Pizzi will surely look to change things in the second half. On the bench he has Mohamed Kanno, who scored in the friendly win over Greece, and also Fahad Muwallad, who got the equaliser against Ukraine in March.

6.58PM: Saudi Arabia did not have a single shot on goal in the first half while lone striker Mohammed Al-Sahlawi only enjoyed seven touches – and two of those were from kick-off.

6.54PM: "Saudi Arabia are all at sea when Russia counterattack," says former England defender Gary Neville in his role as a pundit for English TV.

6.52PM: Former England captain Alan Shearer fears for the Green Falcons in the second half. "Every opportunity Russia have to hit them on the break, they are far too quick for Saudi Arabia, and they can go and get four or five goals if they want to," he told BBC Sport.

HT: Russia 2 Saudi Arabia 0. Juan Antonio Pizzi will have to give the half-time talk of his coaching career after the Green Falcons gave themselves a mountain to climb.

6.43PM: GOAL! If Saudi Arabia are to win their opening game they are going to have to do it the hard way after Denis Cheryshev makes it two just before half-time. It's a dream 45 minutes for the hosts and the worst possible one for the Green Falcons.

6.42PM: Here's a good stat for you: 39 percent of all goals Saudi Arabia have conceded in World Cup history have been headers.

6.41PM: BBC Sport pundit Jermain Jenas: "That is three or four times Saudi Arabia have been caught two v two or three v three. It is schoolboy stuff from Saudi Arabia."

6.37PM: Saudi Arabia's forward Salem Al-Dawsari vies for possesion with Russia's midfielder Roman Zobnin.

6.32PM: Saudi Arabia have only scored nine goals in 13 games at the World Cup finals and they are going to need to score at least one here to get something out of their opening Group A game.

 

6.22PM: Glenn Hoddle: "Saudi Arabia just can't get a foothold in this game right now."

6.12PM: GOAL! Russia draw first blood, taking the lead through Iury Gazinsky. It's quite the time for the Russian to score his first goal for his country.

 

 

6.09PM: "Al-Sahlawi has started really well," says former England midfielder Glenn Hoddle. "He's playing like a left winger."

A display of unity from Saudi Arabia pre kick-off.
A display of unity from Saudi Arabia before kick-off

6.05PM: Salem Al-Dawsari will be such a key player for Saudi Arabia tonight. The attacking midfielder played against Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga last month and scored for his country against Greece.

6.01PM: And we're underway. The first of the 64 games at the 21st World Cup kicks off after the first blast of the whistle of Argentine referee Nestor Pitana.

6PM: No player from either side plays their football outside their home country, with Saudi Arabia fielding seven players from champions Al-Hilal

5.57PM: A reminder of that goal by Al-Owairan.

 

5.51PM: A reminder that Saudi Arabia are chasing only their third ever win at the finals. Their last victory came in 1994 when they beat Belgium thanks to that goal from Saeed Al-Owairan.

5.47PM: Fahad Muwallad was pushing hard for a start but he has to be content with a place on the bench. Expect Pizzi to call on the Al-Ittihad forward as the game opens up. 

5.41PM: Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has decided to go with Mohammed Al-Sahlawi as the lone striker despite going eight games without a goal. He scored 16 goals in qualifying but eight of those game against whipping boys East Timor.

5.10 PM: The team lineups are out...

RUSSIA 
Igor Akinfeev (capt), Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kupetov, Sergey Ignashevich, Iury Gazinsky, Alan Dzagoev, Roman Zobnin, Aleksandr Golovin, Yury Zhirkov, Alexander Samedov, Fedor Smolov
Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov (RUS)

SAUDI ARABIA 
Abdullah Al-Muaiouf, Osama Hawsawi (capt), Omar Hawsawi, Mohammed Al-Burayk, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Salman Al-Faraj, Yahia Al-Shehri, Abdullah Otayf, Taiseer Al-Jassam, Salem Al-Dawsari, Mohammed Al-Sahlawi

 

5.00PM MOSCOW: So the big kick-off is less than an hour away.
The Green Falcons are set to get their World Cup campaign under way against hosts Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The eyes of the world are on Juan Antonio Pizzi’s players as they seek to cause a shock and get their quest to make the knockout stages for the first time since 1994 off to a great start.
Outside the stadium Arab News reporter Gary Meenaghan met lots of Saudi Arabia fans excited about the clash, one that could determine whether the side makes it through Group A.

This is Saudi Arabia's fifth appearance at the World Cup finals and their first since 2006. The high point was a run to the last 16 in 1994 which was achieved on the back of group wins over Morocco and Belgium, the Green Falcons' only wins at the finals in 13 matches. 

The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Moscow on Thursday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup.

The crown prince was greeted at the airport by the Russian FIFA World Cup mascot where he signed a commemorative ball. Putin told the crown prince at their meeting in Moscow that he was happy to see him at the opening of the World Cup.

Topics: Saudi Arabia 2018 World Cup Juan Antonio Pizzi

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UAE President’s Cup Showjumping Event under way in Abu Dhabi

Updated 12 April 2025
Arab News
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UAE President’s Cup Showjumping Event under way in Abu Dhabi

  • Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club welcomes top international riders to the UAE’s premier showjumping event
Updated 12 April 2025
Arab News

ABU DHABI: The UAE President’s Cup Showjumping Event, organized by the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, got under way on Friday at ADEC International Arena.

Over three days it will showcase CSI5* and CSI2* competitions and a world-class roster of International Federation of Equestrian Sports-ranked athletes and horses.

Boasting a record prize pool of $640,000, including just over $544,000 for the CSI5* and close to $82,000 for the CSI2*, this competition sets a new benchmark as the most lucrative individual competition in showjumping in the UAE.

Ali Al-Shaiba, director general of ADEC, stated: “It is an honor to host the UAE President’s Cup International Showjumping Event, a showcase of elite sport and a celebration of equestrian heritage. This event reinforces Abu Dhabi’s commitment to equestrian excellence and reflects the UAE’s emergence as a key player on the global showjumping circuit.

“We are deeply grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan — vice president, deputy prime minister, chairman of the President Court, and president of the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club — whose vision continues to guide ADEC’s evolution as a world-class equestrian and lifestyle destination.”

Participants will contest technically challenging courses, culminating in the CSI5* Grand Prix featuring fences up to 1.6 meters in height. The tracks are designed by Alan Wade, an FEI level four course designer, internationally acclaimed for crafting some of the sport’s most technical and demanding layouts.

The UAE President’s Cup will culminate in “A Legacy Unveiled, A Nation United,” a bespoke, immersive performance crafted exclusively for the occasion, highlighting the UAE’s long-standing equestrian heritage.

Anthony Lowry, ADEC equestrian director, added: “Behind the scenes, our team has worked tirelessly to elevate this year’s event. From our newly upgraded competition arenas to enhanced facilities for athletes and horses, we are proud to provide an environment that meets the highest international standards. We are especially thrilled to welcome such a high-caliber group of athletes to Abu Dhabi.”

The elite international field of riders includes:

 

Abdel Qabir (Morocco)

Cian O’Connor (Ireland)

Claudia Moore (UK)

Daniel Deusser (Germany)

David Will (Germany)

Kevin Staut (France)

Richard Vogel (Germany)

Roger Yves Bost (France)

Shane Breen (Ireland)

Trevor Breen (Ireland)

William Funnel (UK)

Topics: UAE Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club

FIA meeting on future F1 engines ends without a commitment to bringing back V10s

Updated 12 April 2025
AP
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FIA meeting on future F1 engines ends without a commitment to bringing back V10s

  • A meeting between Formula 1 governing body the FIA and engine manufacturers has ended without a clear commitment to any future return to fan-favorite V10 engines
  • The FIA statement on the meeting says “all parties are committed to the 2026 regulations” but they also “agreed to continue discussions on the future technical direction of the sport”
Updated 12 April 2025
AP

A meeting between Formula 1 governing body the FIA and engine manufacturers has ended without a clear commitment to any future return to fan-favorite V10 engines.
Amid concerns over the cost and sound of the current V6 turbo hybrids — there will be a new generation of those from next year — FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem suggested in February that there could be a return to “the roaring sound of the V10.”
The FIA statement on the meeting, held ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, said “all parties are committed to the 2026 regulations” but they also “agreed to continue discussions on the future technical direction of the sport.”
There was no mention of V10 engines specifically in the FIA account of the meeting, though it said: “Besides the 2026 regulations, a range of options and timelines for the future were discussed. One of the topics under discussion was the adoption of normally aspirated engines with sustainable fuel.”
The FIA added there was an understanding that “a level of electrification will always be part of any future considerations,” which signals a continuing place for hybrid technology. Hybrid engines are more common in modern road cars than the V10.
Audi, which will operate its own team from 2026, is a key supporter of the hybrid rules. The German manufacturer thanked the FIA and Ben Sulayem for arranging the meeting and emphasized its commitment to the 2026 framework.
“Our aim is to help shape a sustainable and future-oriented form of motorsport that leverages cutting-edge technologies — benefiting not only Formula 1 but also Audi’s broader technological development which we see reflected in the 2026 power unit regulations,” Audi said in a statement.
“Audi remains fully committed to entering Formula 1 from 2026 onwards, with power unit technology built around three key pillars: Highly efficient engines, advanced hybrid electrification, and the use of sustainable fuels.”
While some drivers and teams have concern about various aspects of the 2026 rules, some worry that criticism risks making it seem like F1 is talking down its own future.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the existing plans might need work but could still yield a “good product.”
“We haven’t even started 2026, and we are already talking about something else,” he said. “I would like to invoke a sense of responsibility by all the stakeholders, because we are here to protect the interests of the sport.”

Topics: fia F1

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Inconsistent Al-Hilal drop more points with time running out for title hopes

Updated 12 April 2025
John Duerden
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Inconsistent Al-Hilal drop more points with time running out for title hopes

  • A 1-1 draw at Ettifaq leaves the defending champs 7 points behind Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad with only 7 games left to play
Updated 12 April 2025
John Duerden

DAMMAM: Second-place Al-Hilal fell further behind in the Saudi Pro League title race on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Ettifaq.

With just three wins from their last nine games, the defending champions are seven points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad with only seven games left to play.

It was a game coach Jorge Jesus will know the Riyadh side should have won, especially after spending much of the second half on the attack.

Ettifaq, driven forward by the in-form Gini Wijnaldum, enjoyed a bright first half and took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a spectacular opener. Joao Costa found the ball far from the Al-Hilal goal and the 20-year-old unleashed a fierce shot that flew into the net.

The visitors emerged from the break full of purpose, with Aleksandar Mitrovic shooting straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

Just three minutes before the hour mark, they were level. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic set Renan Lodi free down the left and the full-back reached the byline before pulling back a short ball to his Brazilian compatriot, Malcom, who fired high into the roof of the net from close range.

It was suddenly anybody’s game but the visitors were undoubtedly in the ascendancy. Just three minutes later, the 19-time champions almost took the lead with the same move, except this time Marcos Leonardo got on the end of it and could not quite wrap his foot around the ball at the near post. Next, a Kaio Cesar shot from the opposite side of the area was well-blocked.

Deep into injury time, Abdullah Al-Hamdan came close with a flying header, only for his attempt to land on the top of the net. Al-Hilal left frustrated, while Ettifaq remain in eighth place.

Earlier, Al-Ahli moved into fourth spot with a 2-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Al-Raed. Franck Kessie scored in the first half from the penalty spot, then Gabri Veiga, returning to action after a lengthy absence through injury, sealed the points midway through the second half.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Saudi Pro League SPL Al-Hilal SPL Al-Ettifaq

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SEF arena inauguration heralds exciting new era for Saudi esports

Updated 12 April 2025
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
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SEF arena inauguration heralds exciting new era for Saudi esports

  • The state-of-the-art facility includes event halls, venues, the SEF Academy, workspaces and more
Updated 12 April 2025
Sulafa Alkhunaizi

RIYADH: Esports in Saudi Arabia is set for an exciting new era following the official opening of the new SEF Arena.

The Saudi Esports Federation center in Boulevard World, Riyadh, is a state-of-the-art complex designed to revolutionize gaming and esports in the Kingdom.

Spanning 25,000 sq. meters, it boasts dedicated esports venues, event halls, the SEF Academy, SEF Studio and collaborative workspaces and is purpose-built to support every phase of a player’s journey from grassroots level to the international stage.

The inauguration is a landmark achievement in Saudi Arabia’s journey to becoming the global capital for competitive gaming, in line with the ambitions of Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s accelerating digital economy.

Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of SEF, told Arab News that with the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s vision in esports, the federation was capable to thrive. 

“This isn’t just a venue; it’s the beating heart of an ecosystem. It’s where ambition meets opportunity, and where champions are made. We want Saudi Arabia to be known as the ‘Land of Champions,’ a winning nation where talent is discovered, nurtured, and elevated to the world stage,” he said.

“We are lucky to have a sector strategy on a national level..with that strategy, it’s very ambitious and we have an infrastructure which enables us to achieve all these strategies…I compare it always with Silicon Valley for gamers”

At the heart of SEF’s vision is the gamer’s journey. Starting with the SEF’s School League, players can progress through a structured system that includes the SEF Academy, high-performance coaching, training, and mentorship, taking them from casual player to full-time professional.

Al-Fawzan added: “From watching Twitch streams at home to competing in the Saudi eLeagues and ultimately representing the Kingdom on the global stage, this is the structured journey we’ve built for our youth. It all starts right here, at the SEF Arena.”

The arena is also home to the Saudi eLeagues, where more than 2,800 active players compete across tournaments including the Saudi eLeague Elites, Saudi Women League, Saudi Fighting League and Saudi Challenger League, making it a year-round venue.

To support its mission of developing local talent, the SEF has signed groundbreaking Memoranda of Understanding with Saudi Arabia’s largest esports clubs and stakeholders — Team Falcons, Twisted Minds, R8, and The Ultimates, as well as Savvy.

These will help expand opportunities for Saudi players, creators and organizations across both local and global circuits, while also facilitating knowledge exchange and driving industry innovation.

Delivering a comprehensive and high-performance environment, the SEF Arena will deliver a comprehensive, high-performance environment, providing players, teams and publishers with the tools and infrastructure they need to thrive. With world-class training, live broadcasting capabilities, and immersive fan experiences, it sets a new standard for esports development.

Al-Fawzan said: “We are laying the foundation for the future of esports in Saudi Arabia. This is our legacy, our promise to the next generation of champions. Let’s make history, together.”

The opening comes three months before the start of the second Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

Musaad Aldossary, co-founder and chairman at Falcons Esports, said the SEF Arena’s facilities will help all esports players flourish in the game. 

“The experience that the players play in high level facilities and infrastructure will help them match in any global facility…For us it’s always helpful whenever there’s multiple tournaments, multiple teams, and multiple players because then we will have options and the best players will hopefully land in Falcons.” 

Rawan Albutairi, chief of partnerships and corporate affairs at Saudi Esports Federation, highlighted the impact of women in esports, which make up almost 49 percent of youth gamers. 

“We want to convert that percentage into real elite players and again… Availing platform for women to really put a footprints and really excel is something that is very important. I think the future is bright with everything happening in Saudi and the Esports federation, it’s absolutely instrumental to lead the way and leapfrog not just locally, but also internationally.” 

Albutairi said there are many opportunities for women in the esports industry.

“The whole ecosystem (has) professions such as being a commentator, moderator, and  just really exploring the opportunities in the ecosystem is something that can be available and will be available here at the SEF Arena.”

 

 

 

Topics: esport Saudi Arabia Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Esports World Cup 2025 Esports World Cup Esports World Cup Foundation

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Norris turns on the heat at sweltering Bahrain practice

Updated 11 April 2025
AFP
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Norris turns on the heat at sweltering Bahrain practice

  • World championship leader Lando Norris topped the timesheets in a baking hot opening practice ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday
Updated 11 April 2025
AFP

SAKHIR: World championship leader Lando Norris topped the timesheets in a baking hot opening practice ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.
It was hunt-some-shade time on a sweltering afternoon in the Gulf kingdom — 35 degrees celsius and track temperature nudging 50 degrees.
As a consequence the relevance of the opening session on the rest of the weekend will be minimal, with second practice later Friday, Saturday’s qualifying and the race itself all staged at sunset and in cooler temperatures.
That was one main factor in teams using ‘FP1’ to give a half dozen rookies a shot as a ‘Friday driver’ as per the governing body’s guidelines.
As a result, four-time world champion Max Verstappen, one point adrift of Norris in the driver’s standings after his win in Japan last weekend, had some down time with Ayumua Iwasa taking the wheel of his Red Bull.
Dino Beganovic was handed the keys to Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.
Other new faces were Fred Vesti (in for Mercedes’ George Russell), Luke Browning (Williams/Carlos Sainz), Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin/Fernando Alonso) and Ryo Hirakawa, in for Ollie Bearman at Haas.
Williams team principal James Vowles explained the reasoning behind running Browning rather than Sainz, third to Verstappen in last year’s race for Ferrari.
“It’s much, much warmer than it will be so it is unrepresentative, and (Sainz) has done many hundreds of kilometers around here. It’s always painful, but it is less painful to run a Friday driver here.”
Browning had a scary moment with his temporary teammate Alex Albon, the pair coming close with a quarter of an hour left of the session.
The stewards immediately announced they were investigating the incident and summoned both drivers to appear at an inquiry before second practice.
“Wow that was close,” said Drugovich who had a close-up view of the incident in the Aston.
Kimi Antonelli was reporting loss of power in his Mercedes over the team radio early on with the Italian teenaged rookie, who has made such a bright start to his career, forced back into the garage, missing almost the entire session.

Ferrari have brought upgrades to Bahrain but Lewis Hamilton was quickly complaining about lack of balance.
With tire compounds set up for the cooler evening temperatures drivers were complaining of lack of grip.
Liam Lawson described it as “shocking” in his second run out for RB after being demoted by Red Bull.
Hamilton was asked if he wanted to have another lap before a quick return to the pits but the reply was short, sharp and an unambiguous ‘no’
“It feels horrendous, mate,” said Hamilton.
Alpine, the only team arriving at this desert track still pointless, will have been encouraged by Gasly’s effort in jumping to lead the timesheets late on.
But Norris quickly asserted control with a lap of 1min 33.204s, from Gasly at 0.0238
Seven-time champion Hamilton’s afternoon improved as he ended up with the third quickest time after switching to the faster softs.
Yuki Tsunoda replaced Lawson as Verstappen’s teammate last weekend and the Japanese driver came in ninth ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, winner in China.

Topics: Norris

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