Defending champions Brazil win NEOM Beach Soccer Cup

1 / 2
Brazil's team went undefeated in the tournament, capturing the NEOM Beach Soccer Championship title for the second year in a row.  (AN photo by Saleh Fareed)
Short Url
Updated 29 October 2023
Follow

Defending champions Brazil win NEOM Beach Soccer Cup

  • Spain took title in women’s competition, denying Brazil double victory
  • Men’s, women’s MVP awards went to Brazilian Mauricinho, Spaniard Andrea Miron

Brazil were on Saturday crowned winner of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2023 for the second year in a row.

They went undefeated in each of their games to lift their second NEOM Beach Soccer Championship title.

Brazil won 5-2 against Japan in the final at Gayal Beach in NEOM in front of a large crowd.

Both sides battled to take the lead in the opening period, but it took more than 11 minutes for the opening goal to arrive.

After a fantastic swivel under pressure from his opponents, Yamauchi blasted his shot into the top-right corner from close range to send Japan ahead in the fixture.

Brazil were determined to make their way back into the match and with less than four minutes played in the second period, Mauricinho added to his goal tally to even up the score. Japan found themselves in front once again, however, as Kibune converted from a penalty, but the match provided another twist as Brendo struck for the Brazilians and Catarino’s extraordinary strike from distance rippled the back of the Japanese net.

With Brazil taking a one-goal advantage into the final period, the match was still very much on a knife edge.

Following a perfectly weighted lofted pass, Brendo slammed home for his brace to widen the gap between the nations, and the match was put to bed when Edson Hulk capitalized on a defensive error.

After the match, three individual awards were given out. Mauricinho was named the most valuable player of the tournament, as well as joint top scorer with teammate Hulk on seven goals. Japan’s Kawai was named best goalkeeper.

In the third and fourth-place match, the UAE defeated Germany 3-2, while England won 3-2 against Spain to take fifth spot in the tournament.

Saudi Arabia came out 5-3 winners against Turkiye, confirming a seventh-place finish.

In the women’s competition, Spain had a chance to avenge their defeat in the Women’s NEOM Beach Soccer Cup final, after losing to Brazil the previous day.

Sara Tui scored her brace in the final period to give Spain some breathing room, but the goal was cancelled out by a Dani Barbosa free kick which nestled in the right side of the goal.

Tense moments followed at both sides of the pitch, but the Spaniards confirmed their title triumph as Manau calmly picked out the bottom left corner with 90 seconds to play.

Spain’s Andrea Miron was the MVP of the tournament, as well as joint top scorer with teammate Tui. The best goalkeeper title went to Spain.


Riyadh to host leaders at New Global Sport Conference 2025

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. supplied
Updated 23 June 2025
Follow

Riyadh to host leaders at New Global Sport Conference 2025

  • Event takes place in August at Four Seasons Hotel

RIYADH: Riyadh is to welcome global leaders from sport, electronic sports, and entertainment at the New Global Sport Conference 2025 on Aug. 23-24 at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the event coincides with the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup, the world’s largest event of its type.

Called “The Next Game — Building the Future of Gaming, Esports, and Sports,” the conference will bring together more than 1,500 industry leaders for keynotes, strategy sessions, and high-level networking.

Confirmed speakers include Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, president of the Saudi Esports Federation; Casey Wasserman, chairman of LA28; Toshimoto Mitomo, Sony’s chief strategy officer; and World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. Senior executives from Activision, Sega, Bandai Namco, Disney, and CBS Sports will also participate.

Ralf Reichert, the CEO of EWCF, said the event was occurring at a time of transformation, and added: “As the boundaries between sports, e-sports, entertainment, and technology dissolve, this event becomes the premier global stage for leaders to explore new horizons and create groundbreaking collaborations."

Tickets are now available at www.newglobalsportconference.com. Additional speakers and the full programme will be announced soon.


Saudi Arabia a ‘pivotal force’ in reshaping world football and sport, says US expert

Updated 13 June 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia a ‘pivotal force’ in reshaping world football and sport, says US expert

  • Kristian Coates Ulrichsen speaking to SPA following release of his new book “Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer”

LONDON: Saudi Arabia is playing a central role in transforming global football and wider sport, according to Middle East expert Kristian Coates Ulrichsen of the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency following the release of his new book “Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer,” Ulrichsen said the Kingdom’s rise in global sport is “not a temporary shift but a broad transformation with political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions.”

He continued: “The Kingdom has undergone profound changes and has quickly and decisively entered the global sports arena through club acquisitions, sponsorship of major tournaments, and hosting high-profile events, notably the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2034.”

Ulrichsen noted the country’s long footballing heritage, with top-tier clubs approaching their centenary milestones and the national team having reached five consecutive AFC Asian Cup finals.

He also highlighted Saudi clubs’ strong record in continental competitions since the early 2000s.

In the book, he stresses that sport, entertainment, and tourism form “integral pillars of Vision 2030 and (are) essential to positioning Saudi Arabia as a global destination” in the coming years.

“Saudi Arabia’s engagement with sports has generated global impact across football, boxing, Formula 1, and even cricket, tennis, and e-sports,” he added.

“These sectors are expected to dominate international discussions throughout the next decade leading up to 2034.”


Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

Updated 03 June 2025
Follow

Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

  • More than 40 clubs involved as Twisted Minds, Team Falcons, Al-Qadsiah lead charge

RIYADH: The Saudi eLeague, the Kingdom’s premier esports competition, has seen over 40 clubs take part in the 2025 season.

Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league showcases the Kingdom’s top clubs as they battle across multiple titles and divisions.

Participating clubs have so far battled across 10 high-stakes contests, six in the elite category and four in the women category, with valuable points up for grabs at the top of the cross-game leaderboard.

The final standings will determine the qualifiers for the championship, the league’s most prominent event in which top clubs compete for the ultimate title and a major share of a prize pool worth almost $1.9 million.

Twisted Minds lead the pack after the latest round, with Team Falcons second. Al-Qadsiah Esports sit in third, the breakout team of the season, surging up the ranks with wins in both the men’s and women’s contests.

The first phase of the Saudi eLeague season has now concluded, and Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The strong start to this year’s Saudi eLeague says a lot about how far the scene has come.

“Compared to previous seasons … we’re seeing real progress, more clubs, stronger competition, new talents and growing excitement from the community.

“What matters most is how competitive and intense every match has become. (It is) a platform where Saudi talents and clubs can grow, compete, and shine on bigger stages.”

Fans can follow the action live at the SEF Arena or via Saudi eLeague channels on Twitch, YouTube, and social platforms.


Twisted Minds defend Overwatch 2 crown at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025

Twisted Minds reign supreme at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025, advancing to OWCS. supplied
Updated 01 June 2025
Follow

Twisted Minds defend Overwatch 2 crown at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025

  • Victory secures team’s spot in Overwatch Champions Series

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s top Overwatch 2 team, Twisted Minds, have once again stamped their authority on the national stage, successfully defending their title at the ESL Saudi Challenge 2025, held at Riyadh’s VOV Gaming Arena.

The high-octane finale saw Twisted Minds overcome a fierce challenge from Al-Qadsiah, who went into the match with a lot of momentum after a decisive win against Team Vision in the semifinals.

The final matchup was a showcase of strategy and execution, with Twisted Minds ultimately pulling ahead through superior coordination and championship composure. With the win, they not only retained the title but also secured a berth in the Overwatch Champions Series, the official qualifier for the Esports World Cup.

They also claimed the top prize from a $20,000 pool.

The ESL Saudi Challenge, launched by ESL FACEIT Group, is part of a broader push to elevate the competitive gaming scene in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Designed as both a platform for talent and a pipeline to international competitions, the tournament reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in the global esports ecosystem.

“The ESL Saudi Challenge is a cornerstone in our long-term commitment to building a thriving and sustainable esports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region,” said Franck Guignery, the group’s senior vice president for MENA.

“Through this tournament, we’re not only creating high-level competitive opportunities for local talent but also reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a key player on the global esports map.

“This is just the beginning, we see Saudi and MENA as essential to the future of competitive gaming and we’re here to help shape that future.”

As Twisted Minds prepare to represent Saudi Arabia in the OWCS, the Kingdom’s position as a force in international esports continues to grow. With strategic investments, a strong talent pool and quality infrastructure, the country is no longer just part of the global esports movement it is helping to lead it.


Top team to be crowned at ESL Saudi Challenge grand final

Esports World Cup is scheduled to return to Riyadh from July 7 through Aug. 24. supplied
Updated 28 May 2025
Follow

Top team to be crowned at ESL Saudi Challenge grand final

RIYADH: The ESL Saudi Challenge 2025 reaches a thrilling climax this Friday at VOV Gaming in Riyadh, where Saudi Arabia’s top Overwatch 2 teams are set to battle for regional supremacy and a place on the global stage.

The high-stakes tournament will see Team Vision take on Al-Qadsiah in a best-of-five showdown, with the winner advancing to face reigning champions Twisted Minds in a best-of-seven grand final. 

With qualification for the Overwatch Champions Series and the Esports World Cup at stake, the event is being hailed as a defining moment for the Kingdom’s esports scene.

This year’s ESL Saudi Challenge is playing a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s evolving esports ecosystem. More than just a tournament, it serves as a direct pathway to international competition while highlighting the rising caliber of local talent.

Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the world’s leading esports and video game entertainment company, the tournament reflects the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to become a global gaming hub.

EFG was acquired in 2022 by Savvy Games Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, in a $1.5 billion deal aimed at accelerating the growth of esports in the region.

The ESL Saudi Challenge is a key pillar in that strategy, with EFG also serving as the main operating partner for the Esports World Cup over the next five years. The group’s involvement marks a long-term vision to build a world-class esports infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and provide new opportunities for players, fans and creators alike.

Viewers can tune in to the action live on ESL Arabia’s official channels across X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. As anticipation builds for Friday’s final, the event promises not only elite-level Overwatch 2 gameplay, but a powerful statement of intent from a nation rapidly becoming a leader in global esports.