One step from glory: 5 things we learned as Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan reach final of 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Saudi players celebrate beating Australia and reaching the final of the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. (SAFF)
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Updated 16 June 2022
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One step from glory: 5 things we learned as Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan reach final of 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

  • Young Green Falcons hoping to win the competition for the first time on Sunday after two previous final losses
  • To concede no goals in five games is impressive and testament to the solid organization of the team

Saudi Arabia defeated Australia 2-0 in the semifinal of the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup on Wednesday to book a huge showdown with the host nation Uzbekistan on Sunday.

Here are five things we learned from the last four clashes.

1. Al-Buraikan not just about goals

Firas Al-Buraikan may be among the top 10 goalscorers in the Saudi Arabian league, which is no mean feat given the foreign talent that plays there and the fact that he does not feature for one of the big clubs, but there is more to his game than finding the back of the net. The striker made both goals against Australia and showed great vision in doing so.

In the first half, there were two Australian defenders who were happy to maneuver the Al-Fateh forward into the corner but they didn’t expect an impressive and visionary pullback from the left side into the area for Hussain Al-Eisa to fire an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Then came the all-important second that virtually killed the game as a contest. This time he was not quite as wide but still got to the byline of the left side, and pulled the ball back for Ayman Yahya to make no mistake and give the team the breathing space they were looking for.

2. Defense comes through again

Australia asked questions of the Saudi defense especially at set pieces. Tyrese Francois went very close in the first half as his shot came back firmly off the bar. A couple of other times, the West Asian team were relieved to see low shots roll just past the outside of the post.

The situation changed after the red card to Jay Rich-Baghuelou in the first half but that meant that there had to be more concentration from the team. Australia were always going to struggle to mount constant attacks but Saudi Arabia had to stay very vigilant.

The Olyroos were never going to give up even with a man removed and for a time did get balls in the area; and it took the second goal to remove the momentum that the Australians were building up. In the end though, it was another clean sheet, thanks to a late penalty save, and another win as the defense stayed focused. To concede no goals in five games is impressive and testament to the solid organization of the young Green Falcons.

3. Hamed Al-Ghamdi and others show strength in depth

The diminutive midfielder has had an excellent tournament, and was everywhere against Australia and full of energy and commitment. The Al-Ettifaq player is not the type to attract many headlines or score spectacular goals but he worked hard to deny the young Australians space or time. Al-Ghamdi was the embodiment of a real team performance. While the likes of Al-Buraikan and Ayman Yahya — the tournament’s top scorer with three — get the goals and the headlines, they can’t do it without the efforts of their teammates.

And then there was Haitham Asiri who has started every game at the Asian Cup but left the field after just nine minutes due to injury. Saudi Arabia didn’t miss a beat however and on came Al-Eisa who, just a few minutes later, scored the opener in ruthless fashion. In a tournament, it is not just about the starting 11 but the whole squad and for the team it is a case of so far, so good.

4. Strange ending offers a valuable lesson

There were five minutes added time awarded by the referee though the game already seemed over as a contest. Yet there were two penalties awarded. The first was given to Australia after a VAR review and Ramy Najjarine’s spot-kick was saved magnificently by goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, adding another sheen of gloss to his burgeoning reputation. Very soon after, Saudi Arabia got a chance to make it 3-0 when they were given a penalty of their own. It was Abdullah Radif’s turn to see his effort saved.

It was an exciting end to what had looked like a regulation win. It was also an important lesson that even when it seems the game is won, or lost, you never know what can happen. As the 90-minute mark was passed, nobody could have predicted that there were about to be two penalties awarded. The game is not won until the final whistle goes.

5. Uzbekistan get past Japan to set up epic final

Japan had looked good in getting to the semifinal and really made the rest of the continent sit up by defeating defending champions South Korea 3-0 in the quarterfinals. That performance was one of potential champions and it looked as if the Samurai Blue were the team to beat.

Yet in the other semifinal Uzbekistan did the business with a 2-0 win. This wasn’t because of an intimidating atmosphere provided by the host nation as there were not 30,000 fans packed into the stadium. There were only a few hundred Japanese supporters with no home fans allowed due to incidents in the quarterfinal penalty shootout win over Iraq.

Even without their fans, Uzbekistan were aggressive in attack and defended with discipline. The memories they have of winning the 2018 title in China are still fresh and they would love nothing more than to lift the title in front of their own fans. It is possible that Saudi Arabia can use that expectation against the Central Asians and frustrate the hosts but it is going to be a real test. But then, that is what finals are all about.


Saudi Sailing Federation hosts Junior Global Sailing Yacht Challenge Championship

Updated 28 November 2024
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Saudi Sailing Federation hosts Junior Global Sailing Yacht Challenge Championship

  • SSF’s CEO Samia Baghdadi sees event as historic moment for sailors, teams from around the world
  • ‘Hosting these two major global championships at the Jeddah Yacht Club will significantly impact the sport’s growth in Saudi Arabia,’ Baghdadi says

RIYADH: World Sailing, which was formerly the International Sailing Federation, has selected Jeddah Yacht Club to host the 2024 Junior Global Sailing Yacht Challenge Championship, organized by the Saudi Sailing Federation, which takes place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.
The Women’s Global Sailing Yacht Challenge Championship event will follow from Dec. 5-8.
The events reflect the successes of the Saudi Sailing Federation and are significant milestones in the federation’s efforts to promote sailing in Saudi Arabia.
Quanhai Li, the president of World Sailing, said: “We are thrilled to host these unique races at such an exceptional venue. This championship marks the first event organized by the International Sailing Federation in Saudi Arabia.”
He added it reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to developing diverse sports while enhancing its international standing.
He said: “Sailing is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, and through this event we see a fantastic opportunity to promote and develop sailing in the region.”
Samia Baghdadi, the SSF’s CEO, sees the event as a historic moment for sailors and teams from around the world.
Baghdadi said: “It’s an extraordinary opportunity to explore Jeddah’s potential as a vibrant hub for marine sports. We are working to promote sailing.
“Hosting these two major global championships at the Jeddah Yacht Club will significantly impact the sport’s growth in Saudi Arabia. We are excited to welcome all teams who participate in this remarkable event.”
David Graham, the CEO of World Sailing, said: “Selecting the Jeddah Yacht Club to host the 2024 Junior and Women’s Global Sailing Yacht Challenge Championships is a significant step in our efforts to elevate the sport on a global scale.”
The Red Sea region offers opportunities for developing programs that can benefit individuals across the Gulf, Africa, and beyond, according to Graham.
He added: “This event will serve to inspire those passionate about sailing.”
The SSF aims to raise awareness and foster a culture of sailing within the community.


Saudi Arabia’s T20 World Cup hopes end in defeat against Qatar

Updated 28 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s T20 World Cup hopes end in defeat against Qatar

  • Hosts register 6-wicket victory over Kingdom to book ticket to next round
  • Qatar successfully chase target of 166 in 17.5 overs

DOHA: Saudi Arabia’s hopes of qualifying for the final round of the 2026 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup have ended after the team lost to Qatar in the final league match of their Asia Qualifier B in Doha.
The hosts registered a six-wicket victory over Saudi Arabia on Thursday to book their ticket to the next round.
Qatar successfully chased their target of 166 in 17.5 overs after putting the Kingdom in to bat first at the University of Doha for Science and Technology Cricket Ground.
A win would have been enough for Saudi to advance to the next round ahead of Qatar, but the hosts batted well enough to achieve their goal.
Saudi Arabia’s middle order failed to capitalize on the start given by their openers as the side ended up with 165-6 in 20 overs. Opener Abdul Waheed top scored with 34 runs off 27 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes before getting out in the ninth over.
His brother, Faisal Khan, scored 18 off 11 balls and was the first wicket to fall in the fourth over.
Abdul Manan Ali (24), Usman Khalid (18), and Waji Ul Hassan (20) all got starts but could not convert their knocks into big ones. Abdul Wahid hit two fours and a six in his 20-ball 27 while Muhammad Jabir picked up three wickets for Qatar.
In reply, Saqlain Arshad started off well for the hosts, hitting four fours and two sixes in the powerplay. He hit one more maximum before being caught out for 45 runs off 32 balls in the seventh over.
Player of the Match Mohamad Ahnaff saw two more batters return to the pavilion before he opened fire against Saudi’s spin attack. He hit five sixes and two fours to crown an excellent spell of form, going on to complete his third half-century of the tournament before getting out soon after reaching the milestone.
Muhammad Tanveer’s experience came in handy as he made sure his team did not falter. Tanveer scored 35 runs off 22 balls, with two fours and two sixes. Mohammed Hisham Shaikh took three wickets for Saudi Arabia but it was not enough to save his side from defeat.
The UAE had already qualified for the next stage before their last match, and retained their perfect win record in the tournament by beating Bahrain by eight wickets, finishing top of the standings with 12 points.
Qatar took second spot with 10 points, with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand completing the top five with six points each. Cambodia opened their account in the final match with a consolation win over Bhutan, who claimed no points.
The UAE and Qatar will now join Qualifier A sides Malaysia and Kuwait in the regional final. Samoa and Japan are representing the East Asia-Pacific region, with Nepal, Oman, and Papua New Guinea competing in the regional finals.


Fragility, strength and uncertainty at cricket’s margins

Updated 28 November 2024
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Fragility, strength and uncertainty at cricket’s margins

  • From IPL ‘mega-auction’ to the more humble sixes events, the sport continues to exist at opposite extremes

Last week’s column considered two of cricket’s extremes. At one end were teams dreaming of qualifying for upcoming World Cups. At the other end were ongoing geopolitics between India and Pakistan. Their latest standoff carries the threat that the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan next February, will be postponed or changed in shape. Despite more saber-rattling in the last week, a resolution has not been found. A much-needed schedule of play is required by teams, broadcasters and the Pakistan Cricket Board, among others.

It is not surprising that the Board of Control for Cricket in India might have diverted its eyes from the need to find a resolution for a few days. On Nov. 24 and 25, it held its player auction for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League. Jeddah was selected as the venue for this glitzy affair. Much has been read into this choice of location. Some have interpreted it as evidence of an imminent surge of Saudi investment in cricket. Irrespective of location, the event is another example of cricket’s ability to generate extremes.

This year’s auction is a “mega-auction,” which occurs every three years. It allows for a reset, in that each of the 10 franchises is allowed to retain only six players, thereby giving them an opportunity to rebuild their squads. In the intervening years, teams can retain as many players as they like, before a “mini-auction.” In this year’s mega-auction, a final number of 577 registered players were put forward for auction, 367 Indians and 210 overseas.

As reported elsewhere in Arab News, the auction opened with two sets of six marquee players. They receive special focus based on their abilities, past performances and stature. It was not long before records were broken. Each year seems to produce a new most expensive player. Last year it was Mitchell Starc, who was sold for $2.9 million. This year it is India’s wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, who was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for $3.19 million. An aggregate $757 million was spent.

It is not just a matter of buying top players. Purchases are designed to optimize the dynamics of team strategy, leadership potential, skills balance and the development of young, mainly Indian, talent. This year’s extreme example was the purchase of 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for $0.1 million.

Far away from this extravaganza lies another world of cricket, existing at the very margins. Regular readers will recall my annual trip in April to the Chiang Mai International Sixes. Those who organize this tournament also hold another one in November, called the Gymkhana Sixes, which is based largely on local Thais and expatriates. Previously, between 2008 and 2016, a tournament had been held in Bangkok, Then, it was titled the Thailand International Sixes and played at Harrow International School.

One of its leading lights was Mike Maher, an inveterate cricket sixes organizer via his Asian Cricket Sixes Tour. After 2016, the Harrow facility was no longer available and an alternative venue proved to be unsuitable. A move to Chiang Mai was agreed and The Siam International Sevens was created in 2018, held at the Gymkhana Club. This was facilitated by conducive linkages between Maher and the organizers of the Chiang Mai Sixes.

In 2019 the tournament became the Gymkhana Sixes, organized locally, as a one-off. During the COVID-19 restrictions on international travel between 2020 and 2022, the Gymkhana Sixes proved to be a popular opportunity for domestic tournament cricket. It continued in 2023 and was set up for 2024.

However, a few weeks before the Gymkhana Sixes was due to open, the adjacent River Ping burst its banks and flooded the golf course in which the cricket ground sits. The deposited mud was cleared away by a combination of golf caddies and local volunteers. Shortly after this restorative work, the Ping flooded again, to far more devastating effect. Flood waters over a meter deep covered the area, depositing 20 cm of mud and silt.

The waters swept all before them in a diagonal path from one end of the course to the other. One victim of the waters was an electronic scoreboard which, somewhat fortuitously, was discovered by a local resident in her garden some 3 km away. Overall, the ground was rendered unusable. Once it had dried, clearing by hand began, but realization of a mammoth task led to the deployment of machinery.

An immediate impact of the floods was on the 2024 Gymkhana Sixes. They were moved to Royal Chiang Mai Golf club some 30 km north of the city and held on Nov. 23, involving six teams. Although the setting is beautiful, the site is too far out of town to host the International Sixes event in April. The cost of restoring cricket to the Gymkhana Club is estimated to be about $32,000. A crowd funding and general appeal has been initiated. One rich irony is that turf-laying requires water. This will be in short supply in coming months up to the Sixes in April. Restoration of an area devastated by unexpected flood water now requires water as a salving balm.

All of this is in stark contrast to the event in Jeddah. Yet, there are linkages. Cricket’s ecosystem is fragile. Its playing surfaces are nurtured by climate. Grounds of a sufficient quality are required to sustain cricket from amateur to international levels. Sometimes the grounds curated by amateur teams are required for international tournaments. This has been the case with the Gymkhana ground in Chiang Mai. It may be a surprise to learn that junior and senior Saudi Arabian men’s teams played there in International and Asia Cricket Council World Cup qualifying tournaments in 2017 and 2019.

Although there may have been an interdependency in recent times, this is unlikely to be replicated in future. Instead, a gap is emerging. The Gymkhana Club will go to its loyal base to support its restoration work. Saudi cricket is aspirational, which will have been boosted by its association with the IPL auction and BCCI leaders. It remains to be seen how these will unfold in cricket’s global landscape. At an opposite extreme, the plight of the Gymkhana Club will go largely unnoticed. It will be a shame if grassroots cricket of this sort is subsumed by mightier concerns.


Saudi women’s U20 national team ready for West Asian Football Federation Championship in Jordan

Updated 28 November 2024
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Saudi women’s U20 national team ready for West Asian Football Federation Championship in Jordan

  • Team led by head coach Pauline Hamill will face Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria
  • Event is part of team’s preparation for the 2026 AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian under-20 women’s national team makes its competitive tournament debut against Palestine on Thursday night at the West Asian Football Federation U20 Women’s Championship in Jordan.

The championship will feature women’s national U20 sides from Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Head coach Pauline Hamill’s side will play their opening match in Aqaba, before facing the remaining sides to determine the winners of the tournament.

After a camp in Jeddah in October, the upcoming tournament concludes the U20 side’s first year since the formation of the team as part of the Women’s National Team program in December 2023.

As the first competitive tournament appearance for Hamill’s squad, the U20 WAFF Women’s Championship will provide a platform to prepare for the upcoming qualification matches for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup in 2026.

Aalia Al Rasheed, head of women’s football at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “We believe in the abilities of our players, and this tournament is an opportunity to build competitive experience for the players and develop their football capabilities.

“It’s incredible to look at the growth of this team since the formation of the squad in December 2023, we look forward to seeing our under-20 side performing in their tournament debut and representing our nation with honor in a fitting conclusion to their first year.”

The latest tournament for the Saudi Women’s National Team programme highlights the rapid growth of women’s football in the Kingdom since the official introduction of the national team in 2021 and the first professional football league in 2022, with more than 70,000 girls also participating in the national schools’ league.


Valtteri Bottas nears a return to Mercedes as F1 reserve after Mick Schumacher leaves

Updated 28 November 2024
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Valtteri Bottas nears a return to Mercedes as F1 reserve after Mick Schumacher leaves

  • “We’re talking and it’s going well. Still a bit of work to do but we’re talking,” Bottas said ahead of this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix
  • Bottas won 10 Formula 1 races over five seasons at Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate from 2017-21 but hasn’t scored a point this season with Sauber

LUSAIL, Qatar: Valtteri Bottas says he is nearing an agreement to return to Mercedes as its reserve driver for next year after Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, announced he was leaving.
“We’re talking and it’s going well. Still a bit of work to do but we’re talking,” Bottas said ahead of this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Bottas won 10 Formula 1 races over five seasons at Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate from 2017-21 but hasn’t scored a point this season with Sauber.
Bottas added he still needs to “finalize some things” on a possible return but feels he could be a mentor to 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will partner George Russell at Mercedes next year. Antonelli is stepping up from Formula 2 to replace Hamilton when the British driver heads to Ferrari for 2025.
“If I end up there, I think I would have a lot to give for a rookie driver who has not raced in Formula 1 yet,” Bottas said. “That would be, for sure, one part of my role, to give my input and try to share my knowledge as much as I can.”
Bottas is without a seat for 2025 after Sauber replaced him and Zhou Guanyu with a new lineup of the experienced Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto, ahead of rebranding as the Audi works team in 2026.
The new Cadillac team backed by General Motors is also on Bottas’ radar before it joins the series in 2026 as the 11th team on the grid.
“It’s interesting to me, and I think it’s great for F1. It’s a great brand and GM is a big backer behind, so for sure, it’s an interesting project,” Bottas said. He indicated he would seek to speak with Cadillac about possible opportunities.
Schumacher is moving on from his Mercedes reserve driver role after two years as he seeks a full-time racing role elsewhere.
It’s “tough” to watch F1 cars race without being able to take part, he said in a Mercedes statement.
“I want to get back to focusing 100 percent on racing. I want to be fully committed to the sporting side of motorsport. Ultimately, it is racing that you want to do as a driver, it is racing that gives you that feeling you love,” he added.
Schumacher raced in F1 with Haas in 2021 and 2022 and has been competing this year with Alpine in the world endurance championship alongside his Mercedes duties.