LONDON: The scenes on the Saudi Arabia team bus as it left the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi, Indonesia, on Monday night were those of pride and patriotism as the country’s Under-19s celebrated the execution of an ambitious plan. This month’s ultimate mission, however, is not yet complete.
The Kingdom’s Under-19 side had defeated Australia 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the age-group Asian Championships to confirm their place at next May’s U20 World Cup as one of the continent’s four best teams. On the journey back to the team hotel, players — with camera phones in hand — sang “We are all Salman” as they drummed their palms on whatever surfaces they could find.
It was a rare moment of release for a group of teenagers who had arrived in Jakarta with the weight of expectation to at least emulate the previous generation, which had qualified for the global championship by way of reaching the regional final. The convincing victory against the Young Socceroos allowed them to relax, but their focus must quickly return if they are to end a 26-year drought and bring the Asian trophy back to the Kingdom.
Hazem Al-Zahrani, the Al-Ittihad defender who was an unused substitute, said he and his teammates “strive to go to the World Cup as heroes,” while goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Shamrani said the feeling of qualification was “indescribable,” adding “we promise the masses to return to the country as heroes of Asia”.
Coach Khalid Al-Atawi, formerly of Al-Najoom, conceded his side had arrived with the objective of World Cup qualification. “We played to reach this goal, and we reached it,” he said. “I’m very happy that we will now participate in the World Cup. I congratulate the Saudi people and we are very fortunate to have the honor of representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Tomorrow’s semifinal opponents, however, are Japan, a country that is quickly becoming a thorn in the side of a Saudi Arabia team desperate for tangible success. In 2016, Sami Al-Najei and Abdulrahman Al-Yami shared the Golden Boot at the U19 Asian Championships, but it was the Japanese who lifted the trophy, beating the Young Falcons on penalties after a 120-minute stalemate in the final.
At August’s Asian Games, which is open to U23s, Saudi Arabia registered a squad made up entirely of players aged under-21. It is a tactic long adopted by Japan, who use the Asian Games as preparation for the U23 Asian Championships, which offer direct qualification to the Olympics. The Young Falcons impressed on route to the quarterfinals, yet it was the Blue Samurai again who ended their participation, beating them 2-1 in the last-eight.
Victory tomorrow would mean more than simply a place in the final.
Although South Korea and Qatar have also reached the semis, it is Japan and Saudi Arabia who are generally regarded as the two best teams at this month’s 16-nation tournament. Neither have dropped a point yet this month, recording a perfect record of four wins from four games, although free-scoring Japan’s goal difference is substantially more impressive. Al-Atawi nonetheless believes his team can go all the way.
“We are trying to do our best in every game,” he said. “In any game, we want to do more than the game before. In this competition, the team is improving from game to game, so we are looking forward to achieving the highest level we can. We are preparing these players for this competition. We hope we can perform well, and we are building step by step. The sky is our limit.”
The Young Falcons have reached the semifinals on four occasions since they beat South Korea 2-0 in the 1992 final, but have yet to claim the ultimate prize. This year’s squad have frightening pace and are technically excellent, with Al-Shabab’s Turki Al-Ammar in particular gaining attention with a series of eye-catching displays. Al-Atawi, however, refuses to single out players for praise, insisting instead on the importance of the collective.
“Turki is one of 23 players and I treat them all equally, but I think he will be a star in the future,” said Al-Atawi of the midfielder who opened the scoring against Australia to claim his second goal of the tournament. “I can guarantee though that we will see more stars come from these 23 players in the future.”
Young Falcons are only just getting started, says coach Khalid Al-Atawai as Saudi Arabia U-19s make World Cup
Young Falcons are only just getting started, says coach Khalid Al-Atawai as Saudi Arabia U-19s make World Cup
- Saudi Arabia U-19s beat young Socceroos to get to last four of U-19 Asian Championships.
- Young Falcons set to face Japan in last four on Thursday.
Salah poses for celebration selfie with Liverpool fans in Premier League title-winning victory
- Arne Slot’s men stormed back after conceding a surprise early goal
- Top-scorer Salah scored the goal the crowd craved, celebrated by grabbing a fan’s phone before taking a selfie in front of the Kop
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool demolished Tottenham 5-1 to clinch the Premier League title at an impassioned Anfield on Sunday, sealing a record-equalling 20th English top-flight crown.
Arne Slot’s men stormed back after conceding a surprise early goal to dominate the first half as the decibel level soared among 60,000-plus crowd.
Liverpool, who can no longer be caught by second-placed Arsenal, are now level with bitter rivals Manchester United as the joint-most successful club in English top-flight history.
Slot’s men started on the front foot at an expectant Anfield after a stirring rendition of club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in the warm spring sunshine.
Mohamed Salah had an early sighter and Cody Gakpo went close with a spectacular overhead kick but Tottenham briefly threatened to become party poopers when Dominic Solanke powered home a header from a James Maddison corner in the 12th minute.
But Liverpool were level just four minutes later when Luis Diaz converted Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross from close range. The offside flag went up but VAR awarded the goal.
The momentum was now all with Liverpool and the home side took the lead in the 24th minute when Alexis Mac Allister thundered the ball home from the 18-yard line past the flying Guglielmo Vicario.
Now the party was well and truly started and Gakpo made it 3-1, slamming a shot into the bottom corner after Spurs failed to clear.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou had made eight changes from the team that lost to Nottingham Forest last week as he prioritizes the semifinals of the Europa League and they now had a mountain to climb.
The Liverpool fans — deprived of celebrating the 2020 Premier League trophy due to COVID-19 restrictions, ran through their full repertoire of songs as their team pushed for a fourth goal in the second half.
Top-scorer Salah scored the goal the crowd craved, collecting Szoboszlai’s pass before cutting in and blasting his shot into the bottom corner.
He celebrated by grabbing a fan’s phone before taking a selfie in front of the Kop.
Deafening cheers of “We’re going to win the league” and “We shall not be moved” rang out.
Liverpool had a fifth when Spurs defender Destiny Udogie poked the ball past his own goalkeeper from close range with about 20 minutes to go as the game turned into a procession.
As the game went into added time the club’s anthem rang out again as scarves were held aloft and the final whistle elicited a thunderous roar.
The win leaves Liverpool on 82 points, 15 clear of nearest challengers Arsenal with just four games remaining.
Tottenham are a miserable 16th in the Premier League table after their 19th defeat of the season, putting Postecoglou under enormous pressure.
Tens of thousands of fans swarmed around Anfield in the build-up to kick-off in anticipation of Liverpool’s coronation, setting off flares as the home team bus arrived.
Flags and scarves saying “Liverpool 20-time Champions” were on sale from stalls outside the ground.
At the start of the campaign, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were favorites to extend their dynastic Premier League reign and make it five titles in a row but their form collapsed.
Arsenal emerged as their closest challengers but they drew too many games, failing to take advantage of the rare Liverpool slip-ups.
It was feared Liverpool’s players would need time to adapt to the methods of Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp last June following the German’s departure after nine trophy-filled years at Anfield.
But the former Feyenoord boss has sailed serenely through the season despite relentless speculation over the futures of three of his biggest stars — Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Both Salah and Van Dijk have now signed two-year extensions, though England defender Alexander-Arnold is believed likely to be on the verge of a move to Real Madrid.
PSL X: Peshawar Zalmi lock horns with Quetta Gladiators at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium
- Zalmi have lost three of their four matches this season and secured their only win over Multan Sultans
- Gladiators, on the other hand, draw confidence from their solid 80-run win over Zalmi in PSL X opener
LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and chose to bowl first against Quetta Gladiators in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League 10th edition (PSL X) at Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.
Zalmi have lost three of their four matches this season and secured their only win over Multan Sultans. All eyes have been on Zalmi skipper Babar Azam, who has been consistently performing in PSL X, in Sunday’s encounter against Gladiators.
Zalmi said it was “time to shine” in a post on Instagram as their skipper said they were going in with a clear approach.
“Our approach is clear — smart cricket, sharp mindset, and full fight,” Azam said after winning the toss. “Every moment, every move, with one goal in mind.”
Gladiators, on the other hand, draw confidence from their solid 80-run win over Zalmi in the PSL X opener, which gives them a psychological edge in Sunday’s encounter.
However, the Saud Shakeel-led side has failed to maintain consistency since their win against Zalmi and secured a narrow victory against Karachi Kings by defending a modest total of 142.
Fans anticipated a tough battle between Gladiators’ superior bowling line-up and Zalmi’s hard-hitting batsmen.
SQUADS
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mohammad Haris, George Linde, Mohammad Ali, Hussain Talat, Nahid Rana, Abdul Samad, Arif Yaqoob, Mehran Mumtaz, Sufiyan Muqeem, Najibullah Zadran, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat, Mitchell Owen, Ahmed Daniyal, Alzarri Joseph, Ihsanullah
Quetta Gladiators: Saud Shakeel (c) Finn Allen, Faheem Ashraf, Mark Chapman, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hossein, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Khawaja Nafay, Usman Tariq, Haseebullah Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Kyle Jamieson, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Zeeshan, Danish Aziz, Kusal Mendis and Sean Abbott
Bumrah claims 4-22 as Mumbai register five straight IPL wins
- It was Mumbai’s 150th victory in the Indian Premier League, the first time for any team in the league
MUMBAI: Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah returned figures of 4-22 to lead IPL heavyweights Mumbai Indians to their fifth successive win with a 54-run hammering of Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday.
Five-time champions Mumbai posted 215-7 after South Africa’s Ryan Rickleton, a left-hand wicketkeeper-batsman, hit 58 and Suryakumar Yadav hammered 54 at the Wankhede Stadium.
All the bowlers contributed, including England’s Will Jacks who took two wickets in one over, as Mumbai bowled out Lucknow for 161, pushing them up to second in the 10-team table in the T20 tournament.
It was Mumbai’s 150th victory in the Indian Premier League, the first time for any team in the league.
Bumrah stood out after he dismissed Aiden Markram to go past former quick Lasith Malinga’s record of 170 IPL wickets to become Mumbai’s leading bowler.
Bumrah, who has returned from a back injury that made him miss India’s Champions Trophy title win in Dubai last month, now has 174 wickets.
Lucknow opener Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran hit back with a flurry of boundaries in their breezy partnership of 42.
Jacks got Pooran out for 27 with his off-spin and struck two balls later to send back Lucknow skipper Rishabh Pant, caught out for four while the left-hander attempted a reverse sweep.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant, who was brought by Lucknow at an all-time auction record of $3.21 million in November, has flopped with the bat, scoring just 110 runs in nine innings.
New Zealand left-arm quick Trent Boult took down Australia’s Marsh for 34 and later got Ayush Badoni out on 35 to derail the chase and returned figures of 3-20.
Wickets kept tumbling and Bumrah returned to take three in one including impact player David Miller out for 24 to shut out Lucknow.
The batters set up victory after the left-handed Rickleton began quickly with a rush of boundaries despite losing his opening partner and former captain Rohit who fell to returning speedster Mayank Yadav’s slower ball for 12.
Rickleton countered the spin threat to hit back in a 55-run second-wicket stand with Jacks, who hit 29, but finally fell to leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi.
Jacks hit a few boundaries before being bowled by Prince Yadav but Suryakumar kept up the attack with his audacious hitting including a kneel-down hook for six over fine-leg.
The Lucknow bowlers struck regularly and Mayank bowled skipper Hardik Pandya for five.
India’s T20 captain Suryakumar, who is the season’s leading batter with 427 runs, raised his fifty with a six but pace bowler Avesh Khan dismissed him next ball.
Naman Dhir, who hit an unbeaten 25 off 11 balls, and South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who smashed a 10-ball 20 on his IPL debut, helped finish with a flourish in their quickfire stand of 28.
Saudi Hockey Federation launches first junior championship in Jazan
JAZAN: The Saudi Hockey Federation will host Jazan’s first-ever junior hockey tournament next week, as part of efforts to expand the sport across the Kingdom.
The 2025 Boys’ Junior Hockey Championship will begin on Tuesday, with matches held at the Saad bin Muadh School fields in Jazan.
The competition will feature 28 players across four teams, all overseen by the Saudi Hockey Federation.
The Federation has already held a successful Junior Championship final in the Jeddah region, where the Fahoud team claimed the title and Amwaj finished as runner-up.
In a statement, the Federation said the Jazan tournament marks a major milestone for the region, aimed at raising the level of competition, supporting the development of young athletes, and boosting participation in hockey.
Officials said the event is part of a broader strategy to promote the sport’s growth nationwide, with plans to establish a national junior league in the near future.
Assefa sets women’s only record to win London Marathon women’s race after late breakaway
- Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia secured her first London Marathon title after pulling away from Joyciline Jepkosgei near the end
- Assefa finished second both in London and at the Paris Olympics last year but adds this title to two Berlin Marathon wins
LONDON: Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia took advantage of the warm weather to pull away late for her first London Marathon title on Sunday, setting a record time for a women’s-only race in the process.
Assefa made up for second-place finishes in London and the Paris Olympics last year by pulling away from Joyciline Jepkosgei near the end to finish in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 50 seconds. It was the fastest ever time in a women’s-only marathon — but 25 seconds slower than the course record set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 when it was a mixed race.
Peres Jepchirchir had set the previous women’s only record of 2:16:16 when she won in London last year ahead of Assefa. Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya set the overall women’s world record of 2:09:56 at last year’s Chicago Marathon.
The weather in London was a lot warmer this year than in 2024 — with temperaturse nearing 18 C (64F) by the time the elite runners were finishing — which Assefa said was to her advantage.
“Last year I did have some problems with the cold, my hamstring tightened up toward the end of the race,” Assefa said through an interpreter. “This year the weather suited me really well.”
Assefa adds this win to two previous Berlin Marathon titles.
She was beaten in a sprint at the Paris Olympics by Sifan Hassan last year. This time she made sure there would be no sprint finish as she left Jepkosgei behind with a few kilometers left and ran alone along the Thames and through central London to the finish in front of Buckingham Palace.
Jepkosgei, the 2021 London winner, was almost three minutes back after tiring near the end.
“It was a little bit humid,” Jepkosgei said. “My body was not responding well. And I said, let’s preserve my energy to arrive safely at the finish line.”
Hassan fell behind about halway through the race and finished third, 3:10 behind.
Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the men’s race for his biggest career victory after making a solo breakaway with about 10 kilometers left.
