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New boy Joao Felix fires 10-man Al-Nassr to Saudi Super Cup win over Al-Ittihad

Special New boy Joao Felix fires 10-man Al-Nassr to Saudi Super Cup win over Al-Ittihad
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Al-Nassr’s Joao Felix celebrates scoring the winning goal against Al-Ittihad at Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China, Aug. 19, 2025. (Reuters)
Special New boy Joao Felix fires 10-man Al-Nassr to Saudi Super Cup win over Al-Ittihad
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Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates teammate Joao Felix’s goal in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal against Al-Ittihad at Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo)
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Updated 19 August 2025

New boy Joao Felix fires 10-man Al-Nassr to Saudi Super Cup win over Al-Ittihad

New boy Joao Felix fires 10-man Al-Nassr to Saudi Super Cup win over Al-Ittihad
  • Sadio Mane sent off after just 25 minutes, but new arrival from Chelsea grabs the winner in a 2-1 victory
  • The Jeddah side will face either Al-Ahli or Al-Qadsiah in the final on Saturday

LONDON: Joao Felix shone on his club debut as 10-man Al-Nassr defeated Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The forward, who joined the Jeddah side at the end of July from Chelsea, grabbed the second-half winner for his new team, who were reduced to 10 men after just 25 minutes when Sadio Mane was sent off.

Before the red card, Mane had opened the scoring in fine fashion after just 10 minutes. Ayman Yahya freed Marcelo Brozovic down the left and the Croatian fired in a low cross from the byline. The ball was in the air and a little behind Mane but the former Liverpool star managed to lean back and volley it into the net from near the penalty spot, although goalkeeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti got his hands to the shot and should probably have kept it out.

The advantage was short-lived, however, as the reigning Saudi Pro League champions hit back just six minutes later. Mario Mitaj carried the ball forward down the left and found Moussa Diaby inside the box. The French winger then slipped the ball back for Steven Bergwijn to slot home.

New Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus soon faced a bigger headache nine minuted later when Mane was given his marching orders. The Senegalese attacker seemed to stamp on Al-Shanqiti as he went for the ball and, after the video assistant referee had a look, the Riyadh side were down to 10 men.

Yet on the hour mark, it was Al-Nassr who took the lead once again. Cristiano Ronaldo broke free down the right, entered the area and, despite having only the goalkeeper to beat, the 40-year-old unselfishly side-footed the ball to Felix, and his Portuguese compatriot made no mistake from close range.

Five minutes later, Felix fired home a rocket from the edge of the area, only for the goal to be ruled out because of a foul in the build-up. He came close once again when he rounded the goalkeeper, but hit the post from a tight angle.

Al-Ittihad had almost two-thirds of the possession but could not get back into the game, and when Saleh Al-Shehri headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range in injury time, it was all over.

With last season’s Pro League runners-up Al-Hilal, who finished the season five points clear of third-place Al-Nassr, opting not to participate in this traditional curtain-raiser to the new campaign, after their exploits in the FIFA Club World Cup in the US over the summer, the second semi-final, on Wednesday, will feature fourth-placed Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli, who finished fifth in the league and are reigning Asian champions. The final will take place on Saturday.


Swiatek and Ruud play defending champs Errani and Vavassori in US Open mixed doubles final

Swiatek and Ruud play defending champs Errani and Vavassori in US Open mixed doubles final
Updated 21 sec ago

Swiatek and Ruud play defending champs Errani and Vavassori in US Open mixed doubles final

Swiatek and Ruud play defending champs Errani and Vavassori in US Open mixed doubles final
  • Both teams won two matches Tuesday to earn spots in the semifinals that were played under a closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium after rain fell much of the afternoon
  • The final will more closely resemble a traditional match, with sets to six games

NEW YORK: Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud will play defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori on Wednesday night for the US Open mixed doubles title and $1 million.

Swiatek and Ruud, the No. 3 seeds, beat top-seeded Jessica Pegula 3-5, 5-3, 10-8 in a match tiebreaker in the first semifinal, in what was probably the best match of an event that was overhauled this year. They trailed 8-4 in the tiebreaker after Swiatek double-faulted, then ran off six straight points to advance.

Errani and Vavassori then beat Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison 4-2, 4-2.

After a short break, the finalists would be back on the court to wrap up an event that was completed over two days, well before singles play starts Sunday.

Both teams won two matches Tuesday to earn spots in the semifinals that were played under a closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium after rain fell much of the afternoon.

Errani and Vavassori weren’t even sure they would get to defend their titles after the US Tennis Association radically changed the mixed doubles tournament in an effort to draw top singles players. Eight teams in the 16-team field qualified by their players’ combined singles rankings, with the remaining teams given wild cards.

The Italians — were were among the biggest critics of the changed format — were given one and have a chance to be the first repeat champions in Flushing Meadows since Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jamie Murray in 2018-19.

“I think we are on a mission,” Vavassori said.

The final will more closely resemble a traditional match, with sets to six games. They went to four games in the first three rounds, with a deciding point played at deuce instead of needing to get the next two points.


Noah Lyles loses to Oblique Seville in the 100 meters at rain-soaked Lausanne meet

Noah Lyles loses to Oblique Seville in the 100 meters at rain-soaked Lausanne meet
Updated 21 August 2025

Noah Lyles loses to Oblique Seville in the 100 meters at rain-soaked Lausanne meet

Noah Lyles loses to Oblique Seville in the 100 meters at rain-soaked Lausanne meet
  • Seville defied steady rain and standing water on the track to impress in 9.87 seconds — just .01 outside his winning time at London last month when Lyles also was second in his injury-delayed season
  • Heavy rain marred the women’s field events for Olympic champions at the 50th anniversary meet in Lausanne

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: Olympic 100-meter champion Noah Lyles was beaten again by Oblique Seville when the Jamaican splashed to victory Wednesday at a rain-soaked Athletissima meet.

Seville defied steady rain and standing water on the track to impress in 9.87 seconds — just .01 outside his winning time at London last month when Lyles also was second in his injury-delayed season.

“We can perform even in hurricanes,” Seville told Swiss broadcaster RTS. “For me it’s just execution and to show my dominance, to separate myself from the field — once again.”

Lyles clocked 10.02 in his third straight loss over 100 meters on the Diamond League circuit ahead of defending his world title in Tokyo next month.

The US star trailed out of the blocks then chased down fast-starting Ackeem Blake in the next lane. Blake was given the same time in third.

“I just had a horrible reaction to the gun,” Lyles said. “Physically I feel great and I am confident every race will get better and better.”

Seville placed eighth in the Paris Olympics final last year when his Jamaica teammate Kishane Thompson was edged on the line by Lyles. Thompson is fastest in the world this year — clocking 9.75 in June — and won Saturday in Poland when Lyles was second in an encouraging 9.90.

Heavy rain marred the women’s field events for Olympic champions at the 50th anniversary meet in Lausanne.

High jump world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh opted to stop after one failure each at 1.86 meters and then 1.91, and javelin gold medalist Haruka Kitaguchi placed last. The women’s pole vault event was stopped entirely.

Standout performances early in the program, when the rain was just light, saw Olympic 800 champion Keely Hodgkinson win in 1 minute, 55.69 seconds and Cordell Tinch take the 110 hurdles victory in 12.98 seconds.


Pakistan gear up for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in şÚÁĎÉçÇř with training camp

Pakistan gear up for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in şÚÁĎÉçÇř with training camp
Updated 20 August 2025

Pakistan gear up for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in şÚÁĎÉçÇř with training camp

Pakistan gear up for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers in şÚÁĎÉçÇř with training camp
  • Qualifiers will take place from Sept. 1-9, feature 44 teams in total in groups of 11
  • Pakistan have been placed with hosts Cambodia, Iraq and Oman in Group G

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan are gearing up for the qualifiers of the şÚÁĎÉçÇř-hosted AFC Asian Cup 2026, with a training camp in Islamabad, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said on Wednesday.

The qualifiers will feature 44 sides each drawn into 11 groups, which will be contested from Sept. 1-9. The 11 group winners and the four best-ranked runners-up will join şÚÁĎÉçÇř, who are hosting the tournament for the first time, in January’s finals.

Pakistan has been placed in Group G with Iraq, Cambodia and Oman. While the tournament will be hosted in şÚÁĎÉçÇř, one member of the group will host all qualifier matches. Cambodia has been picked as the host for all Group G AFC Asian Cup qualifier matches.

“Initially, 50 players selected through tryouts are participating in the camp,” the PFF said in a statement on Wednesday. “The final 23-member squad will be announced later.”

Pakistan Head Coach Nolberto Solano joined the U23 team at the Jinnah Sports Complex in Islamabad for the training camp, the PFF said.

Pakistan will play its first match against Iraq on Sept. 3, followed by its second one against hosts Cambodia on Sept. 6. The Green Shirts play their final group stage match against Oman on Sept. 9.


Sinner’s health comes into focus ahead of US Open

Sinner’s health comes into focus ahead of US Open
Updated 20 August 2025

Sinner’s health comes into focus ahead of US Open

Sinner’s health comes into focus ahead of US Open
  • Tennis World USA reported that Sinner was battling a high fever and flu symptoms the night before and during his match with Alcaraz

LOS ANGELES: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner arrives at the US Open as the defending champion and a leading contender, though his withdrawal from the Cincinnati final on Monday due to illness adds a measure of uncertainty to his title defense.

The Italian looked off from the outset of his match against rival Carlos Alcaraz and, after quickly falling behind 5-0 in the first set, retired from the match, saying he “didn’t feel great” and apologizing to the disappointed fans in Ohio.

Tennis World USA reported that Sinner was battling a high fever and flu symptoms the night before and during his match with Alcaraz.

Sinner also mentioned the punishing heat and humidity during his match against Alcaraz, calling it “one of the hottest tournaments we played.” He then announced that he had withdrawn prior to his US Open mixed doubles match on Tuesday.

How quickly the 24-year-old can bounce back from his illness will have major implications for the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Sinner and world No. 2 Alcaraz have separated themselves from the pack, having won the last seven major titles between them.

While Sinner has compiled a stellar 31-4 win-loss record this year, three of those defeats have come at the hands of the Spaniard, who rolls into Flushing Meadows with a ton of momentum and a chance to grab the world No. 1 ranking from Sinner.

Prior to Monday’s final, Sinner looked unstoppable, not dropping a set in his first tournament since winning Wimbledon for his fourth Grand Slam title in July.

“I feel like it was a very positive week,” Sinner, who won the Cincinnati title last year, said on Monday.

“Making finals of a Masters event, it’s always an amazing achievement. So we’ll keep going, keep pushing. I have some points where I need to improve if I want to go far in the US Open. And it was a good test this week, trying to understand where my level is.”

He said his focus was firmly on the biggest stages the sport has to offer.

“I love Grand Slams a lot. These are the main tournaments for my season and for my career,” he said.

“So US Open is going to be a tough tournament, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to it. If I’m ready, physically and mentally, I will be ready to push.

“So now I have a couple of days of recovery, and then we get back to work, and hopefully we’ll be ready.”


Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals

Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals
Updated 20 August 2025

Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals

Saudi rowing stars shine in Asian championship with 4 medals
  • The championships, staged earlier this month on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Thailand, brought together elite competitors from 13 nations

JEDDAH: şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s rowing team returned from the 2025 Asian Coastal (Beach Sprint) Rowing Championships with a haul of four medals, marking one of the Kingdom’s strongest international performances to date.

The championships, staged earlier this month on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, Thailand, brought together elite competitors from 13 nations, including rowing powerhouses China, Japan, Korea, the UAE and Kuwait.

Despite the stiff competition, the Saudi contingent delivered a performance that underlined the growing strength of the sport in the Kingdom.

Among the highlights was a silver medal for rising talent Mofleh Al-Khalidi, who produced a superb display in the Junior Men’s Singles event.

Al-Khalidi also partnered with Abdullah Al-Mami in the Junior Men’s Doubles, where the duo battled through the heats to claim bronze.

In the senior categories, Moayad Al-Rashidi secured a bronze medal in the Men’s Singles, while the mixed pairing of Haya Al-Mami and Turki Al-Aref added further success with a bronze in the Mixed Doubles.

The Saudi team, which included athletes Abdullah Al-Hay, Radaan Al-Dossari and Al-Jazi Al-Ibrahim, was guided by a technical and administrative coaching staff led by head coach Matthew Tarrant, alongside Fernando Ferraz and Humood Al-Shammari.

Saudi Rowing Federation Vice President Sherine Abu Al-Hassan and Executive Director Yousef Jleidan provided support throughout the competition, with officials noting the impact of their presence in lifting the squad’s morale.

In a statement, the federation hailed the results as a milestone, describing it as evidence of the sport’s rapid development across the Kingdom.

The federation said that it would continue working to nurture a new generation of athletes capable of competing at the highest continental and international levels.