Bahraini-owned, Newmarket-trained El Habeeb out for glory in Dubai Gold Cup

El Habeeb winning at Wolverhampton, UK in August 2022. (Instagram/@kpfracing)
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Updated 21 March 2023
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Bahraini-owned, Newmarket-trained El Habeeb out for glory in Dubai Gold Cup

  • Kevin Philippart de Foy issued positive report on El Habeeb’s preparation for Dubai

LONDON: Bahraini-owned and Newmarket-trained El Habeeb will feature on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday when he lines up for the Dubai Gold Cup.

Trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy will be looking for a maiden win at the meeting on the prestigious evening of racing in Dubai at Meydan and was positive about El Habeeb’s preparations.

The horse, which is owned by Mohamed Khalid Abdulrahim out of Bahrain, joined Philippart de Foy’s stable midway through last summer, after running a creditable race to finish midfield in the Derby at Epsom Downs.

His form since then has steadily improved with two wins from four starts, most recently a hard-fought victory in the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot, where he beat out Giavellotto — who lines up alongside El Habeeb on Saturday for the 3,200-meter run.

Speaking with Great British Racing International in a video feature released on Monday, Philippart de Foy issued a positive report on El Habeeb’s preparation for Dubai.

He said: “He had a tough three-year-old season, and we started again in December, and we just started to build him back up in view to run in Dubai, and that was always the plan to come here.

“He’s been in great shape, he’s probably stronger than he was last year. He didn’t grow a huge amount but just kept getting stronger, and his preparation has been ideal.

“I think the horse will enjoy the trip, will enjoy the ground out there and obviously it’s tough competition, it’s one of the big staying races of the calendar and we have a decent chance.

“We won’t be favorite, but I think the horse has the right profile, competitive, and he’s very laid back which should help with the travelling side of things.

“Obviously, winning our first Listed race and going for the first time travelling abroad, quite far away, it’s very exciting, and I’m very honored and privileged to be training him,” Philippart de Foy added.

The Newmarket-based trainer said he was delighted with the trajectory of El Habeeb’s training career so far and was looking forward to the challenge in Dubai.

“It’s great to take part, and that kind of meeting was always the ambition. We started obviously to build up a team and now we are getting where we want to be.

“Obviously we want to be competitive, and we want to win those kinds of races, but that’s what it’s all about, being on the big stage and winning big races,” he added.


Serbian duo give Al-Hilal win over Al-Taawoun

Updated 26 October 2024
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Serbian duo give Al-Hilal win over Al-Taawoun

  • Neymar, who returned from a lengthy injury in Monday’s Asian win, watched on from the stands

RIYADH: Al-Hilal defeated Al-Taawoun 2-0 on Saturday to make it eight wins from eight in this Saudi Pro League season so far and restore their three point lead at the top of the standings. 

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his tenth league goal of the campaign after just 15 minutes to put the champions ahead. A second half strike just after the hour from fellow Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic sealed the victory against the visitors from Buraidah who would have gone fifth in the table had they managed to take all three points in Riyadh. 

Given Al-Hilal’s imperious form, that was always going to be unlikely, even for a team that finished in fourth place last season. It means that the Blues are not just three points ahead of Al-Ittihad in second but six clear of Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr, held to a 3-3 draw by Al-Kholood on Friday, in third.

Al-Hilal didn't seem to be feeling any ill-effects from the epic and unforgettable 5-4 win at the home of Asian champions Al-Ain on Monday and while another nine goal thriller wasn’t on the cards, Al-Taawoun must have been a little concerned at going behind well before the midway point of the first half.

Once again Joao Cancelo, who has impressed since joining Jorge Jesus’s men in the summer from Manchester City, played a vital part in the opening goal for his fifth assist in ten matches for Hilal.

Cancelo collected a smart pass from Malcom in the right side of the area and,near the byline, pulled a perfect pass back for Mitrovic to shoot high into the net from close range, though the ball was just behind him. It is not the first time in the past few weeks that these Brazilian and the Portuguese stars had worked together well down the right side and now the tenth time that the Serbian striker has found the target as still tops the goalscoring standings in the league.

If Al-Taawoun were disappointed to be carved open so easily and so early, the easterners would have been relieved to be just a goal down at the break. Mitrovic should have done better a little later as he advanced into the left side of the area with just the goalkeeper to beat only to see his shot saved by Mailson. His fellow Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic also fired just side from a good position on the edge of the area.

Soon after the restart, the home fans had cause to regret those misses as the men in yellow equalised. A beauty of a left-sided cross was met at the near post by Joao Pedro who had managed to find some space between the two central defenders to head smartly home. 

The only problem was that there was a VAR check for offside and the goal was ruled out to the relief of the blue masses and the watching Neymar, who returned from a lengthy injury in Monday’s Asian win but is not registered for the first half of the league campaign.

Soon after Mitrovic went close with a header and Salem Al-Dawsari could not quite connect when he had the goal at his mercy but Al-Taawoun were causing problems for the league leaders. But then, as is so often the case when the opposition start to look dangerous, the champions scored again after 62 minutes.

Mailson came and punched a corner at his near post and it fell to Milinkovic-Savic who hooked the ball home from close range. It could have been worse. Mailson made a number of saves to keep the scoreline down and in the end, it was a comfortable victory for Al-Hilal. 

As well as Al-Taawoun had played at times in  the game, especially in the second half,  they are just another team who have caused Al-Hilal problems only to come away with nothing.


‘He’s back’: Herve Renard returns as Saudi Arabia national team head coach

Updated 26 October 2024
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‘He’s back’: Herve Renard returns as Saudi Arabia national team head coach

  • It will be the second spell in charge of the Green Falcons for the Frenchman

RIYADH: Herve Renard has made a surprise return as coach of the Saudi Arabia national team, the Saudi Football Federation announced on Saturday.

It will be the second spell in charge of the Green Falcons for the Frenchman.

Renard led the national team to a memorable 2-1 win over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup but left in March last year to take over France’s women’s team.

The 56-year-old stepped down from the role in August following France’s quarter-final exit to Brazil at the Paris Olympics.

Italy’s Roberto Mancini took over from Renard as Saudi coach but his contract was ended by mutual agreement with the federation on Thursday after 14 months due to poor results.


Guardiola vows to learn from rock-bottom Southampton after tight win

Updated 26 October 2024
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Guardiola vows to learn from rock-bottom Southampton after tight win

  • Despite failing to win a single league match this season, Southampton frustrated City for long spells at the Etihad Stadium

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola claimed he can learn from Southampton manager Russell Martin after the Premier League’s bottom side made Manchester City sweat for their 1-0 win on Saturday.
Despite failing to win a single league match this season, Southampton frustrated City for long spells at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland’s fifth-minute opener could have been the signal for a City rout, but Southampton stuck to Martin’s principles and made life challenging for the champions.
Cameron Archer hit the crossbar on the stroke of half-time and City missed several chances to deliver a knockout blow.
Impressed by Martin’s tactics, Guardiola said: “Today it was not how Southampton defend deep it was how good they play with the ball with the keeper and the movement.
“It’s a good game to learn as a manager. I am going to learn a lot with Russell because they did really well. We were humble and accepted that they did really well.”
Unbeaten City sit top of the table, but will surrender first place to Liverpool if Arne Slot’s team win at title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
Guardiola will be keeping an eye on that result while he digests the lessons of a hard-fought clash with lowly Southampton.
“I’m a big believer for the process to the build-up. I prefer the players get the ball to the feet, not the teeth,” he said.
“When that happens it’s because it was an incredible process. We were not sloppy, we were not flat but we struggled to regain the ball because they are really good.
“I’m a spectator, when I see the opponent do the things I like to do with my team and they do it really well, I make a compliment. I’m sure I will learn. Some movements, the reasons why they do it.”
After narrow wins over Fulham, Wolves and Southampton in their last three league games, Guardiola made a point of praising the Premier League’s depth of talent.
“It’s not easy, but we created enough chances to win better. I like to win in that way, as it proved in the last two games against Wolves and Southampton, who right now are bottom of the league and look how difficult,” he said.
“I don’t have any complaints about my team because when the opponent is good you have to accept it. This is what happened.”


Rooney ‘angry’ despite stunning Plymouth fightback in Preston draw

Updated 26 October 2024
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Rooney ‘angry’ despite stunning Plymouth fightback in Preston draw

  • The draw left Plymouth a point above the relegation zone, with Argyle boss Rooney saying: “I am angry because that performance is nowhere near good enough”
  • “The last three games we have hit a bit of a blip but we need to get out of it”

LONDON: Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney insisted he felt “angry” despite his side coming from three goals down in a remarkable second-half display as they drew 3-3 with Preston in English football’s second-tier Championship on Saturday.
Goals by Plymouth debutants Freddie Issaka and Andre Gray and a stoppage-time equalizer for the hosts from Morgan Whittaker canceled out Preston goals by Sam Greenwood, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Brad Potts.
The draw left Plymouth a point above the relegation zone, with Argyle boss Rooney saying: “I am angry because that performance is nowhere near good enough. We were easy to play against.
“Obviously I am pleased we drew the game but I can’t accept that performance.”
The former Manchester United and England striker added: “I am frustrated but even at 3-0 you can turn a game and I tried to get more attackers into the box, but we didn’t do that at first.
“The last three games we have hit a bit of a blip but we need to get out of it.
“The one thing I never question with the players is their character. We need to learn the little nuances of the game...I think the fans had every right to boo at half-time but then when they saw us pushing and making changes and getting more balls in the box you could feel the atmosphere growing.
“I was delighted for them we got a point. It was important to stop losing after the last two games.”
Sunderland were left five points clear at the top of the table after a 2-0 win at home to Oxford, secured by goals from Jobe Bellingham and Wilson Isidor.
The Black Cats were left clear of the chasing pack after Leeds and Burnley were both held to goalless draw by Bristol City and QPR respectively.
Sheffield United saw off Stoke 2-0, with Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell scoring either side of half-time.
Coventry came from 2-0 down to defeat Luton 3-2, with the Hatters’ scoring twice before half-time through Carlton Morris’s penalty and a goal from Elijah Adebayo.
But Ellis Simms (59) and Victor Torp (76) revived the Sky Blues after the break and Luton then had Tom Holmes sent off before Coventry’s Hajji Wright scored a winner two minutes into added time.
Edo Kayembe’s 71st-minute penalty secured a 1-0 win for Watford over Blackburn, while Derby and Hull drew 1-1.
Cardiff drew 0-0 at West Brom, while a 90th-minute winner from Casper de Norre took Millwall to a 1-0 victory at Swansea.


Leipzig beat Freiburg to go top, Dortmund lose away again

Updated 26 October 2024
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Leipzig beat Freiburg to go top, Dortmund lose away again

  • Leipzig, who looked heavy-legged after a 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, were a goal down at half-time but equalized shortly after
  • Just days after letting a 2-0 lead slip to lose 5-2 at Real Madrid, Dortmund’s poor week continued with a 2-1 defeat at Augsburg despite going ahead early

LEIPZIG, Germany: RB Leipzig came from behind to beat Freiburg 3-1 at home on Saturday to leapfrog Bayern Munich and go top of the Bundesliga, while Borussia Dortmund’s away woes continued with another defeat.
Freiburg, impressive this season under new coach Julian Schuster, scored first when Japan winger Ritsu Doan was in the perfect place to head in a Vincenzo Grifo cross.
Leipzig, who looked heavy-legged after a 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, were a goal down at half-time but equalized shortly after.
Germany defender Benjamin Henrichs, who was at fault for Freiburg’s opener, cut a dangerous cross goalwards for captain Willi Orban to divert into the net.
Lutsharel Geertruida put Leipzig in front after 58 minutes when he finished off a lightning-fast counter attack for his first Bundesliga goal.
Lois Openda put the home side in full control with 11 minutes remaining, again on the break — his fifth goal in eight games this season.
Leipzig are now three points clear of Bayern, who play at last-placed Bochum on Sunday.
Just days after letting a 2-0 lead slip to lose 5-2 at Real Madrid, Dortmund’s poor week continued with a 2-1 defeat at Augsburg despite going ahead early.
As he did against Real, Dortmund winger Donyell Malen gave his side the lead, blasting an excellent Serhou Guirassy assist into the net after four minutes.
Augsburg were level after 25 minutes however, Alexis Claude-Maurice taking advantage of some lazy defending to waltz through the center of the park and hit a low shot into the corner.
Claude-Maurice scored five minutes into the second half, this time capitalizing on an Emre Can error to slide the ball into the right-hand corner.
The loss leaves Dortmund seven points off top spot after just eight matches and last season’s Champions League finalists have not won away from home in the league since April.
Elsewhere, Stuttgart won 2-1 at home against promoted Holstein Kiel.
Captain Deniz Undav opened the scoring 19 minutes in and El Bilal Toure, who scored a stoppage-time winner against Juventus midweek, added a stunner in the second half.
Jeff Chabot’s second yellow meant Stuttgart were reduced to 10 men and Armin Gigovic cut the lead with six minutes remaining but Kiel, who lost Jann-Fiete Arp to a second yellow late, could not cut the gap further.
In Hamburg, promoted St. Pauli picked up a valuable point in a scoreless draw at home against Wolfsburg.
Later on Saturday, defending champions Bayer Leverkusen play away at Werder Bremen.