Paulo Bento has been fired as head coach of the United Arab Emirates football team just hours after a 2-1 win Tuesday over North Korea kept alive its slim automatic hopes of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
That victory, which came with a goal in the 98th minute, puts the UAE four points behind second-place Uzbekistan in Group A with two games remaining. The top two teams from each of the three Asian groups are guaranteed a place in the tournament to be hosted next year by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“The UAE Football Association has decided to dismiss the head coach of the national team, Paulo Bento, along with his coaching staff,” the UAE football association posted on social media.
The 55-year-old Portuguese coach led South Korea to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, 10 years after he took Portugal to the last four of the European Championships. He was appointed in July 2023 to succeed Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
If the UAE misses out on second place, then there is another round of qualification as the teams that finish third and fourth in their respective groups play off for two remaining World Cup places.
UAE’s next qualifier is against Uzbekistan at home on June 5.
Paulo Bento fired as head coach of the UAE national football team
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Paulo Bento fired as head coach of the UAE national football team
- Sacking announced just hours after a UAE win on Tuesday over North Korea
- UAE’s next qualifier is against Uzbekistan at home on June 5
Alcaraz wins testing Queen’s opener, Fritz, Shelton out
- Alcaraz scribbled “Grass season, here we go!” on the courtside camera lens, thanking fans for their vocal support and saying he felt “loved” in London
- British second seed Jack Draper dispatched American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round
LONDON: Carlos Alcaraz came through a testing first-round match against Adam Walton at Queen’s on Tuesday as the top seed returned to action for the first time since his dramatic French Open triumph.
But two of the world’s top 10 crashed out as Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton lost to French duo Corentin Moutet and Arthur Rinderknech respectively.
Alcaraz, back on grass for the first time since winning his second Wimbledon title last year, beat his 86th-ranked opponent 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on a sweaty day in west London.
The Spaniard, who overcame Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller at Roland Garros just nine days ago, broke in the seventh game and went on to clinch the first set against lucky loser Walton, who replaced Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after he withdrew due to illness.
The 2023 Queen’s champion appeared to have found his rhythm only for Walton to rally impressively, carving out two set points on his opponent’s serve in the 10th game.
But the Australian failed to convert either of them and Alcaraz levelled, coming out on top in the subsequent tie-break.
Alcaraz scribbled “Grass season, here we go!” on the courtside camera lens, thanking fans for their vocal support and saying he felt “loved” in London.
“First match on grass is never easy to get used to the competition again, to get used to the grass again,” he said. “So, I just want to say thank you for helping me a little bit.”
The world No.2 said he had taken time away from tennis after his gruelling French Open triumph to “reset” his mind and rest.
“I’m just really happy with the performance that I had today,” he said. “First match, I feel great. Obviously, a lot of things to improve, a lot of things that I have to put into work just to feel a little bit more comfortable on the grass. But in general, I’m just happy to get through.”
Alcaraz faces compatriot Jaume Munar in the last 16.
World No. 4 Fritz failed to convert a match point against Moutet before losing 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (9/7), 7-5.
Moutet held on in the second set tie-break before securing the only break of serve in the match in the final game.
Sheldon also stumbled to a shock early exit to Rinderknech in two tie-breaks 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4).
Earlier, British second seed Jack Draper dispatched American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round.
The left-hander, who has previously beaten Sinner and Alcaraz at Queen’s, won 93 percent of first-serve points and did not face a break point in a dominant display.
Draper is chasing his second title on grass after winning in Stuttgart last year and will next face Alexei Popyrin after the Australian beat compatriot Aleksandar Vukic.
“Feels amazing, no place I’d rather be,” said Draper. “We travel the world playing tennis, never get to come home or spend much time with my family but to be on this court in front of you guys, my people, my family, thank you.”
Record stand puts Bangladesh in command in first Sri Lanka Test
- Mushfiqur, the most capped Test player in Bangladesh history with 97 appearances, silenced his critics with a timely ton
GALLE, Sri Lanka: A record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim put Bangladesh in control at 292-3 on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
After a wobbly start at Galle, the pair stitched together 247 runs — the highest fourth-wicket stand for Bangladesh in Tests against Sri Lanka — steering the tourists to a commanding position at stumps.
Having elected to bat first, Bangladesh were reeling at 45-3 when the duo came together.
What followed was a gritty rescue act— a partnership built on sound temperament, clever shot selection and an unflinching resolve as they dug their team out of early trouble.
Mushfiqur, the most capped Test player in Bangladesh history with 97 appearances, silenced his critics with a timely ton.
The veteran, under the pump after a lean patch spanning 13 innings without a half-century, rolled back the years with a knock of poise and purpose.
The 38-year-old has fond memories of Galle, having struck a monumental double hundred there in 2013, and once again turned tormentor-in-chief for the Sri Lankan bowlers.
He did enjoy a slice of luck — a tough chance spilled by debutant Tharindu Rathnayake on 25 — but made it count, navigating a nervy passage in the 90s, before scampering a quick single to notch up his 12th Test hundred.
Shanto, positive from the outset, kept the scoreboard ticking with deft footwork and a keen eye for the loose ball.
He brought up his sixth Test century — and second against Sri Lanka — with a cheeky paddle sweep off Prabath Jayasuriya, marking his first ton since November 2023.
Sri Lanka made early inroads with right-arm quick Asitha Fernando drawing first blood, removing opener Anamul Haque for a duck.
Off-spinner Rathnayake, handed his Test cap on the back of a prolific domestic season, struck twice in quick succession.
But once the Shanto-Mushfiqur duo got their eye in, it was one-way traffic.
Sri Lanka also handed a debut to opening batter Lahiru Udara, another domestic heavyweight, while the hosts paused before the start of play to congratulate retiring stalwart Angelo Mathews.
The 38-year-old Mathews, playing his 119th and final Test, will hang up his boots with over 8,000 runs, behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in Sri Lanka’s all-time charts.
Mathews speaking before the start, said he was “extremely proud to have a wonderful journey, thankful for whoever was part of it.”
“Feeling quite special. Realizing that I have played over 100 Tests,” he added.
“Playing for the country was my dream; it has come true.”
The match is the first in the new two-year World Test Championship cycle.
The second Test begins in Colombo on June 25.
Scorching heat sparks welfare fears at Club World Cup
- The world players’ union FIFPRO has suggested FIFA should revise scheduling, if needed
MIAMI: Soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity at the Club World Cup are fueling concerns among players, coaches, and fans, with calls for additional cooling breaks and adjustments to match schedules.
Midday kickoff temperatures in Pasadena at the weekend approached 32° Celsius (89.6° Fahrenheit), forcing players in the Paris St. Germain vs. Atletico Madrid match to dig in early as the midday sun blazed on the Rose Bowl’s uncovered stands and pitch.
Atletico’s Marcos Llorente described the conditions as “terribly hot,” saying “my toes were sore, my nails were hurting... it’s incredible.”
Fans, too, voiced concern.
Attendees at the Rose Bowl complained of long queues in harsh heat, limited shaded areas and water restrictions at entry, with some leaving at halftime due to dehydration and fear of fainting.
Similar mid-afternoon kickoff conditions are planned for upcoming matches, stoking safety concerns for supporters and players.
Monday’s match in Pasadena was not an isolated incident. Miami and Los Angeles are experiencing temperatures north of 30° C (86° F), many rising above the 32° C heat-stress threshold, triggering warnings from player unions.
Tuesday’s game between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal is scheduled at 1500 local time with temperatures expected to reach 32°C with humidity set to hover around 70 percent.
The world players’ union FIFPRO has suggested FIFA should revise scheduling, if needed.
“FIFPRO has consistently advocated for comprehensive heat protection measures including mandatory cooling breaks, adjustments to kick-off times to avoid the most intense heat, and the postponement of matches when conditions pose a serious health risk to players,” FIFPRO said.
“With tournaments like the Club World Cup featuring dense match schedules and hot climates in locations such as Orlando and Miami, extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important health and safety issue in professional football.
“FIFPRO will closely monitor the situation in the coming weeks with a view to prioritising player welfare over other considerations.”
The current rules permit one mandatory break per half.
England coach Thomas Tuchel, observing the tournament as part of planning for next year’s World Cup in North America, warned the tournament schedule would resemble “suffering,” with players battling harsh midday conditions.
The heat represents one of many controversies plaguing the expanded 32-team format. FIFPRO and the PFA have launched legal action in Brussels, alleging FIFA overstepped by introducing an unsustainable four-week calendar, risking player burnout.
Critics say the added fixtures, combined with sweltering heat, could severely strain player welfare.
FIFA, however, maintains that the extended summer fixtures align with the broader International Match Calendar and that existing protocols are sufficient.
Mbappe doubtful for Real Madrid’s Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal
Mbappe has been instrumental for Real Madrid this season
MIAMI: Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for their opening Club World Cup match against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on Wednesday, after missing training on Tuesday due to illness.
Club sources told Reuters that Mbappe woke up with a high fever. While he has not been officially ruled out, the source said his availability for the clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was in “more than reasonable doubt”.
The potential absence of Mbappe leaves newly-appointed Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso facing a selection dilemma, as the Frenchman is currently the only recognized center forward in the squad.
Brazilian teenager Endrick, who could have provided an alternative, was left out of the traveling party following a leg muscle injury sustained during Real’s LaLiga fixture at Sevilla last month.
Mbappe has been instrumental for Real Madrid this season, scoring 31 LaLiga goals since his high-profile summer move from Paris St. Germain.
Real Madrid enter the tournament as one of the favorites, having dominated European football over the last decade, winning five of the last 10 Champions League titles.
Al-Hilal secured their place in the competition by triumphing in the AFC Champions League in 2021 and will look to capitalize on any weakness in Madrid’s lineup.
Fluminense begin Club World Cup with goalless draw against Dortmund
- Fluminense were firmly in control against the Bundesliga side in the first half
- Dortmund struggled to get a foothold in the match with no shots on goal in the first half
NEW JERSEY: Fluminense held Borussia Dortmund to a 0-0 draw in their Group F Club World Cup opener in New Jersey on Tuesday, as the Brazilian side were left to rue missed chances at MetLife Stadium.
Fluminense were firmly in control against the Bundesliga side in the first half but Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel produced a handful of superb saves to frustrate the Brazilian team in front of a crowd mostly in their favor.
After Dortmund struggled to get a foothold in the match with no shots on goal in the first half, Kobel did his part with a remarkable double-save midway through the second half and frantic late efforts from both sides went unrewarded.
Flag-waving Fluminense fans arrived early and cheered wildly as their team applied early pressure, with winger Jhon Arias’s shot toward the top corner saved by Kobel in the 17th minute.
Fluminense midfielder Martinelli missed by inches in the 34th minute and Kobel saved another fine attempt from Arias two minutes later.
Kobel kept out Fluminense striker Everaldo’s powerful shot from outside the box in the 69th minute and leapt to block a follow-up effort from midfielder Nonato moments later.
As scorching heat in the United States prompted concerns about welfare across the tournament, players were treated to overcast skies and mild temperatures in front of a modest crowd of 34,736 in the roughly 82,000 capacity NFL stadium.
Dortmund will next play Mamelodi Sundowns in Cincinnati, while Fluminense will return to MetLife to face Ulsan HD on Saturday.
