5 things we learned after another inconsistent AFC Champions League matchday from Saudi clubs

The penultimate round of the AFC Champions League group stages is over, and it was, once again, a mixed bag for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli. (AFC/the-afc.com)
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Updated 28 April 2021
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5 things we learned after another inconsistent AFC Champions League matchday from Saudi clubs

  • Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli require wins in Matchday 6 to guarantee progress to knockout stages

RIYADH: The penultimate round of the AFC Champions League group stages is over, and it was, once again, a mixed bag for Saudi Arabia’s three teams.

Al-Nassr had the last 16 in sight but stumbled on Monday, losing 2-1 to Al-Wehdat of Jordan to slip down into second in Group D, a point behind leaders Al-Sadd.

On Tuesday, Al-Hilal bounced back from their 4-1 loss at the hands of Istiklol to ease past Uzbekistan’s AGMK 3-0 to stay in second in Group A, level on 11 points with their recent conquerors.

Al-Ahli stayed in the hunt in Group C after a battling 0-0 draw with Esteghlal of Iran to leave three teams on eight points.

Only the group winners are guaranteed progress to the second round, where they will be joined by three of the best five runners-up in the western zone. All three Saudi sides are in with a chance but all three could still miss out.

1. Al-Ahli’s best performance to date

The game with Esteghlal may have ended 0-0 but it was still a solid performance from Al-Ahli, the best of the five they have managed so far.

It was impressive firstly because the Jeddah giants lost 5-2 to the same Iranian opposition in the opening game. That result suggested that the six-game losing streak from the domestic league was going to continue in Asia.

Under new coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, however, Al-Ahli have turned things around in impressive style and whatever happens in the final game, the team will return to domestic duties in a different frame of mind, or they should. Had Syrian striker Omar Al-Somah, who has looked dangerous all tournament, been wearing his shooting boots then Al-Ahli would have won and gone top of the group.

Regardless of what happens against Al-Duhail in the final game, Tuesday showed that Al-Ahli are heading in the right direction.

2. Al-Nassr only have themselves to blame

Fans must be tearing their hair out over Al-Nassr who did the hard work to put themselves in sight of the second round only to slip up again, losing 2-1 to Al-Wehdat.

The Riyadh club has dropped five points against the bottom team of the group and if the Yellows fail to progress, this will be the reason why. Beating Al-Sadd and Foolad is all well and good but taking just one point from the Jordanians may turn out to be a crucial failure.

It would be easy to say that Al-Nassr underestimated their unfancied opponents but in truth, they were just second best almost from start to finish.

Before Tuesday’s meeting, Al-Wehdat were already out of contention but that seemed to give the team some freedom and while the victory was unexpected, it was also deserved. The men from Amman were full of running and kept their shape in contrast to the tired-looking Al-Nassr whose attacks were plodding and lacking in penetration.

Coach Mano Menezes has shown that he can conjure victories against the stronger teams in the group and that is what he needs to do in the final fixture against Al-Sadd.

3. Al-Hilal do not look like champions ... yet

After losing 4-1 to Istiklol of Tajikistan three days earlier, another defeat to Central Asian opposition was unthinkable. It never looked like happening as the Saudi champions were just too powerful for AGMK of Uzbekistan and attacked with purpose from the get-go.

The headlines will go to Bafetimbi Gomis for his perfect header that put clear daylight between the two games and Luciano Vietto for his opener and perfect assist for the third. But Abdullah Otayf was also quietly effective in midfield and used the ball with intelligence and vision.

Al-Hilal have not yet found their groove in this tournament and do not carry the air of champions but they do look like a team heading into the knockout stage and that is enough for now.

4. Teams starting to look tired

It would be strange if there was not some major fatigue in all the teams given that they have played five games in less than two weeks.

What is a little surprising is that there has not been that much rotation coming from the coaches, and wholesale changes from game to game have not materialized as much as expected.

In the last 15 to 20 minutes against Esteghlal, Al-Ahli were dead on their feet. Al-Nassr, too, could not match Al-Wehdat for energy in their defeat and the physical condition of the players is sure to have a major impact in the final 90 minutes of the group stage.

5. The situation now is clear for all

If all three Saudi teams win, all three will go through.

Al-Nassr’s task is now clear. Only victory against Al-Sadd in the final game will guarantee a place in the last 16. It is not outside the realms of possibility, after all, the Riyadh giants beat the same opposition just days ago.

Al-Sadd, however, have improved since then and are looking more like the team that went through the Qatari season unbeaten. A draw may be enough for Al-Nassr, but they will have to wait and see.

For Al-Hilal, a win against Shabab Al-Ahli will be enough whether it means they finish first or second and that is the same for Al-Ahli. If they defeat Al-Duhail of Qatar, then they will be sure to finish above either Al-Nassr or Al-Sadd as one of the best three runners-up. Saudi Arabian fans should strap themselves in.


Djokovic thumps Kecmanovic for Wimbledon ton and spot in last 16

Updated 05 July 2025
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Djokovic thumps Kecmanovic for Wimbledon ton and spot in last 16

The sixth seed’s stellar display ensured that he became only the third player to claim 100 match wins
“I’m very grateful, obviously, privileged to be in the position that I am,” Djokovic said

LONDON: Seven-times Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic roared his way to a rare century at the grasscourt Grand Slam on Saturday when he outclassed Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3 6-0 6-4 and reached the fourth round in his quest for a record 25th major.

The sixth seed’s stellar display ensured that he became only the third player to claim 100 match wins on the All England Club lawns after nine-times champion Martina Navratilova and eight-times winner Roger Federer.

“It’s very historic. It sounds very nice. I’m very grateful, obviously, privileged to be in the position that I am,” the 38-year-old Djokovic said.

“I’ve said it many times. Tennis made me who I am, has given me incredible things in life that I can experience. I try not to take anything for granted, particularly at this age, still going strong, still trying to compete with the young players.

“Wimbledon is a favorite and a dream tournament for not just myself, but probably the majority of players. Growing up, most of the kids dream of playing here and winning here.

“I’ve been blessed to do it multiple times. Any history that I make in my favorite tournament, I’m blessed.”

Djokovic started and finished the opening set with aces and grabbed the decisive break during the see-sawing eighth game. At one point he had the Center Court crowd standing in ovation when he produced a spectacular diving winner at the net.

His 49th-ranked Davis Cup teammate cracked on serve in the opening game of the second set and allowed Djokovic to quickly reel off the games and double his advantage in what suddenly became a lopsided contest.

Kecmanovic raised his fist to applause when he stemmed the flow at the start of the third set but a double fault gifted his opponent the break in the third game and Djokovic overcame a slight wobble at the end to prevail.

“I have enjoyed myself very much except maybe the last couple of games,” added Djokovic, who will take on Australian 11th seed Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarter-finals.

“A bit of tension in the end, I was 5-1 up and 15-30 and then 5-4, 15-30. Things got a bit complicated... It’s never easy playing a friend and compatriot. Miomir is a super nice guy, someone that I have known for many years.

“We’ve faced each other on different surfaces, different courts. But more than rivals and competitors, we’re friends and teammates. I wish him all the very best.”

Paris Saint-Germain shut down Bayern Munich, reach CWC semis

Updated 05 July 2025
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Paris Saint-Germain shut down Bayern Munich, reach CWC semis

  • PSG played the closing minutes with just nine players after a pair of red cards
  • Bayern exits the tournament after being held scoreless for the first time

ATLANTA: Desire Doué scored in the 78th minute, Ousmane Dembele added a second in stoppage time and Paris Saint-Germain sealed their place in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich on Saturday in Atlanta.

Pairs Saint-Germain played the closing minutes with just nine players after a pair of red cards and still added a goal to seal the victory.

Referee Anthony Taylor dismissed Willian Pacho in the 82nd minute for his dangerous challenge on Bayern’s Thomas Muller, and sent off Lucas Hernandez in the second minute of second-half stoppage time for an elbow in the direction of Raphael Guerreiro.

But Doue and Dembele’s first goals of the tournament were enough to seal a meeting in East Rutherford, N.J., on Wednesday with the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made five saves to keep PSG’s fourth clean sheet of the tournament.

Bayern exits the tournament after being held scoreless for the first time, on a day when they lost Josip Stanisic and Jamal Musiala to first-half injuries.

It was still 11-on-11 when Doue took Joao Neves’ pass, created some space near the edge of the penalty area, then unleashed a left-footed strike that found the bottom right corner as Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer slipped while trying to change direction.

Dembele doubled the advantage on a stunning foray forward despite the numerical disadvantage and some brilliant setup work by Achraf Hakimi, who beat three defenders off the dribble.

Hakimi then fed Dembele in stride for a first-time low finish that left Neuer little chance.

Bayern thought they had a chance to pull a late goal back when Taylor whistled for a penalty even later in stoppage time, only to reverse his decision following a video review.

Musiala departed on a stretcher at halftime after suffering a gruesome ankle injury following a tangle for the ball with Donnarumma that did not show any signs of ill intent.

Even Donnaruma was distraught after seeing the extent of Musiala’s injury, which came in the final seconds of the first half.

Twelve minutes earlier, Stanisic exited with an apparent hamstring injury.

Donnaruma made a pair of exceptional first-half saves.

In the 27th minute, he sprung to his right to parry Michael Olize’s goal-bound effort from just beyond the corner of the 6-yard box. In the 41st, he sprawled the opposite direction to keep Aleksandar Pavlovic’s effort — an intended early cross that was inches in front of Musiala near the penalty spot — from bounding inside the right post.

Neuer was also called into action during the first half, thwarting Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s effort from close range at the near post with an outstretched arm in the 32nd minute.

Four minutes into the second half, he dove left to deny Bradley Barcola on the break.


Philipsen wins nervy Tour de France opener as Evenepoel loses time

Updated 05 July 2025
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Philipsen wins nervy Tour de France opener as Evenepoel loses time

  • Philipsen took the yellow jersey in a frantic sprint finish at the northern city of Lille
  • Race favorites Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard both finished safely in the lead pack on a day marred by a series of falls

LILLE, France: There were mixed fortunes for the thousands of Belgian fans who poured over the border for the opening stage of the Tour de France on Saturday as Jasper Philipsen won, but star rider Remco Evenepoel lost valuable time.

Philipsen took the yellow jersey in a frantic sprint finish at the northern city of Lille, while double Olympic champion Evenepoel was trapped in a second group and lost 39 seconds.

Race favorites Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard both finished safely in the lead pack on a day marred by a series of falls.

Even defending champion Pogacar appeared flustered at the finish line.

“It was as frantic as we had expected, but when the split came fortunately I was near the front,” said the 26-year-old Slovenian.

“I’m just happy day one is done. Nine days to go before the first rest day.”

Africa’s sole rider Biniam Girmay, winner of three stages in 2024, was second on the day as Philipsen got ahead of him with 100m to go.

“It’s a day I will never forget. This is why I have been getting up early and training hard each day,” said Philipsen after notching up a 10th career stage win on the Tour.

His Alpecin team, marshalled by Mathieu van der Poel, formed an old-school sprint train that the winner hailed.

“What an experience! Those final kilometers, to be part of that,” beamed Philipsen.

Around 40 riders in the first group contested the sprint where one of the day’s many falls happened.

Primoz Roglic of Red Bull and Team UAE’s Joao Almeida were also caught in the surprise split in blustery winds.

Fans packed the route in one of France’s more modest regions passing First World War memorials, red-brick houses and slagheaps from long-closed coal mines along the Belgian border.

Under overcast skies with the temperature a manageable 22C, the peloton cut a fast pace despite the windy conditions, but no rain fell until the riders had passed the finish line.

Racing toward an intermediate sprint over cobbles, escapee Benjamin Thomas slid sideways and took out his sole rival Matteo Vercher in one spectacular fall and the pair were still bickering when the peloton shot past them.

Former time-trial world champion Filippo Ganna was one rider who will take no further part after a clumsy fall on a corner.

The Italian would have been a contender on the lengthy stage 5 individual time-trial, as well as key in the Ineos team’s campaign to get veteran Geraint Thomas into the top 10 on his 14th and final Tour de France.

Philipsen, in yellow, will lead the peloton out for Sunday’s second stage, a hilly 209km route to the beaches of Boulogne-sur-mer.


Shining Verstappen shades Piastri for pole at Silverstone

Updated 05 July 2025
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Shining Verstappen shades Piastri for pole at Silverstone

  • The Monegasque driver was quickest in one minute and 25.498 seconds to outpace Piastri
  • Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of Lando Norris in the second McLaren

SILVERSTONE, UK: Max Verstappen produced one of the finest and fastest qualifying laps of his career on Saturday to seize pole position for Sunday’s British Grand Prix and demonstrate why he is the hottest property in Formula One.
The four-time world champion was struggling with a strong wind and cool and damp conditions after choosing a low downforce set-up that trimmed his wings but enabled higher speed on the straights.
Before his final run of a tense and closely-fought qualifying hour, Verstappen was two-tenths slower than McLaren’s championship leader Oscar Piastri, but the Dutchman powered to a fastest lap of one minute and 24.892 seconds to beat the Australian by 0.103 seconds.
“You went motor racing Max!” said his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, his deadpan delivery hiding Red Bull’s delight as the team fight to find the performance that will ensure their star driver stays with them next year.
The 27-year-old Dutchman, who has declared he wants to stay, has been linked with Mercedes, whose team boss Toto Wolff has confirmed making contact. Unconfirmed Italian media reports this week claimed Verstappen had agreed to the move.
Verstappen did his talking on the track, claiming his third pole at Silverstone and the 44th of the career with a virtuoso lap to keep alive faint hopes of defending his drivers’ title in the second half of the season.
Weather permitting, a third British victory would help him trim his 61-point deficit to Piastri but if it rains, as forecast, Verstappen’s set-up might leave him vulnerable to his rivals including Lando Norris, in the second McLaren, who is 15 points behind Piastri in the title race and third on the grid.
“The changes helped a lot and the car definitely turned in better,” said Verstappen. “On my last lap, it all came together and the balance was much better and we were fast on the straights, but the high-speed corners were more difficult.
“We are pushing for more performance. It was tricky out there with the wind as the car is so sensitive to it. We have to wait to see what tomorrow will do and if there’s rain around or not.
“I’m happy with qualifying. It’s a big boost for the team as well and I’m excited to go racing tomorrow. We’ll try! We are going to have fun and try to do the best we can.”
Piastri was less happy.
“I was trying to think of how I was going to go faster and I didn’t,” he said. “The last lap was a little bit messy, but it’s been tight all weekend.
“I think my first lap was very good...but I left a little bit on the table.”
“It’s tough, especially when you think it’s a good lap. You don’t want to overdo it and try and go over the limit. There were a couple of corners where maybe I was a bit safe on the way in and tried to make up for it on the way out and it didn’t quite work.”
Norris was third in the second McLaren, a tenth adrift.
“It was tough,” Norris said. “We are not just fast enough today, but it’s all good fun and I am happy with third. Credit to Max, he did a great job. It’s going to be fun tomorrow, a good battle.”
George Russell was next in a Mercedes. The Ferraris of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc filled the third row.
Kimi Antonelli was seventh fastest in the second Mercedes but suffered a three-place penalty.
Ollie Bearman was eighth for Haas but collected a 10-place grid penalty.


Sinner demolishes Martinez to reach Wimbledon last-16

Updated 05 July 2025
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Sinner demolishes Martinez to reach Wimbledon last-16

  • “Obviously very happy but I think we all saw that he was struggling with his shoulder,” said Sinner
  • The Italian said his first week at Wimbledon “couldn’t have gone better“

LONDON: Imperious Wimbledon top seed Jannik Sinner made short work of Spain’s Pedro Martinez on Saturday to reach the the last 16 without dropping a set.

The Italian three-time Grand Slam champion eased past his 52nd-ranked opponent, who was struggling with a shoulder problem, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 in less than two hours.

“Obviously very happy but I think we all saw that he was struggling with his shoulder,” said Sinner.

“He couldn’t serve very well. Especially on this surface when you don’t serve well, then it’s not easy to play.”

The Italian said his first week at Wimbledon “couldn’t have gone better.”

“Every time when you reach the second week of a Grand Slam it’s a very special occasion,” he said.

“Even more special here in Wimbledon, so I’m very happy to be in the second week.”

Sinner, a Formula One fan, said he would organize his practice schedule around the British Grand Prix, which takes place at Silverstone on Sunday.

He will face either 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov or Sebastian Ofner in the fourth round at the All England Club.

The 23-year-old took a vice-like grip on the Center Court match from the start, racing into a 5-0 lead.

Martinez was given a time-out at that point and received treatment on his right shoulder before winning the next game to love on his own serve but Sinner wrapped up the set in the following game.

The second set was tighter until Sinner broke in the fifth game, repeating the feat to take the set.

Martinez required further treatment before the third set but it had little impact as Sinner raced into a 5-0 lead.

The Spaniard, 28, held up a finger to the crowd after clawing a game back but that only delayed the inevitable.

Sinner has lost just 17 games in total across his three matches in the first week of Wimbledon, in contrast to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who has shown patchy form.

The Italian returned from a doping ban in May, losing the Italian Open final to Alcaraz and squandering three championship points against the same opponent in the French Open final.

His best performance at Wimbledon was a run to the semifinals in 2023 and he reached the quarters last year.