Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Roberto Mancini arrives in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Roberto Mancini arrives in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Roberto Mancini arrives in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Yaya Toure and Roberto Mancini in Al-Ahsa. (X: @YayaToure)
Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Saudi national team players arrive in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Saudi national team players arrive in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Saudi national team players arrive in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
Analysis Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
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Saudi national team players arrive in Amman, Jordan. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 November 2023
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Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Mancini’s Saudi team face tricky test against Jordan in 2026 World Cup qualifier
  • The Green Falcons’ 4-0 victory against Pakistan was expected and needed, but they will face a different level of opponent in Amman
  • Saleh Al-Shehri looked sharp against Pakistan, despite a lack of minutes for his club, and he is going to be key against Jordan

Roberto Mancini has been head coach of Saudi Arabia for three months and five games, but Tuesday’s game with Jordan presents his biggest test yet. In fact, it could be said that the road to the 2026 World Cup really starts now.

The Green Falcons make the short trip to Jordan for the second game in the second round of qualification in the knowledge that a second straight win will mean control of Group G and the promise of a place in the third round.

On paper, it is Saudi Arabia’s most difficult game of the second round. Victory will not guarantee the next stage but will remove a lot of pressure and allow the coach to start thinking more in the long term.

It comes just days after the Italian picked up his first victory as coach of Saudi, a 4-0 triumph over Pakistan at home. The result was expected, but needed all the same.

Jordan, ranked 25 places below the visitors at 82, will be a different proposition in Amman. The record between these two nations is evenly matched. Out of 15 meetings — none of which has taken place in qualification for the World Cup — Saudi Arabia have won seven with Jordan winning six.

There are other similarities: Both national teams made big coaching hires in the summer. Mancini, winner of the English Premier League with Manchester City and the European Championships with Italy, arrived and then failed to win any of his first four games before taking on Pakistan, ranked all the way down at 193.

Jordan picked up Hussein Ammouta. The Moroccan has also had plenty of success, winning the Qatar Stars League with Al-Sadd in 2013 before taking Wydad to the African Champions League title in 2017. His appointment was seen as a coup by the Jordan Football Association although fans have largely felt frustrated so far.

Taking over in June, his first game in charge was a 6-0 thrashing by Norway in September, a result quickly followed by a 2-1 loss to Azerbaijan and then a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Iran.

Then came a 2-2 draw with Iraq and last Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Tajikistan in the opening World Cup qualifier.

With Pakistan on course for bottom spot in the group, many felt that the Central Asians were Jordan’s rivals for second place, assuming that Saudi Arabia finished first. It was a vital game and with a minute to go, Tajikistan scored. Jordan were staring a huge defeat in the face but a 93rd-minute goal from Yazan Al-Naimat broke the hearts of Tajikistan’s players.

It means that Jordan are still on track, although the coach is under even more pressure.

It was not a great performance and Jordan’s defensive weaknesses were there for all to see. Ammouta was criticized for not making any substitutions until after Tajikistan scored in the 89th minute, and overall fans feel that he has been too passive while struggling to introduce a system of play.

He was saved by the talent that is in attack, and the likes of Musa Al-Taamari and Al-Naimat will have to be watched. With such forwards, Jordan can get at the visitors and there should be a full house roaring them on. Following poor recent results, there was not a great demand for tickets, leading the federation to open the doors for free. There are also reports that the playing surface is not up to standard, which may not be ideal for the passing game that Mancini is looking to develop.

There are other concerns for the Italian coach. Saudi Arabia will be missing a number of players through injury. Star Salem Al-Dawsari is out, as are Al-Hilal teammates Nasser Al-Dawsari and Yasser Al-Shahrani, along with Al-Nassr central defender Abdulelah Al-Amri. With Mancini naming a relatively young squad, this was already a new-look Saudi Arabian team even before the absences.

It is hard to read too much from the win over Pakistan, who picked up their first-ever qualification victory in September against Cambodia in the previous round.

Two late goals added a gloss to the scoreline for Saudi but for the most part, the South Asian visitors gave a decent account of themselves and could have scored not long after Saleh Al-Shehri gave the home team an early lead.

The Al-Hilal man looked sharp, despite a lack of minutes for his club, and he is going to be key against Jordan. He scored twice and missed a couple of good chances.

A draw would not be a bad result — there were a couple of those at the same stage in qualification for 2022 that were soon forgotten once the team secured a place in Qatar — but a win would be welcome for many reasons. The road to the World Cup really starts now for Mancini.


Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying

Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying
Updated 14 November 2024
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Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying

Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying
  • Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra
  • Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0

MELBOURNE: Son Heung-min scored his 50th international goal on Thursday as South Korea beat Kuwait 3-1 to take a big step toward an 11th successive World Cup appearance.
The Tottenham forward converted a penalty to make it 2-0 in the 19th minute and help South Korea earn a fourth successive win in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers to move five points clear at the top with five games to go.
Oh Se-hun headed in South Korea’s opener in the 10th minute and Son, who had just returned from a hamstring injury, extended the advantage after being fouled in the area. Mohammed Daham pulled a goal back with a spectacular strike with 30 minutes remaining but Bae Jun-ho sealed the win for the visitors.
“(Son is) such an important part of our team,” South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said. “He just came back after being hobbled by injury.”
Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra while Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0.
In Group A, Iran defeated North Korea 3-2 in Laos to move onto 13 points, three clear of Uzbekistan which lost 3-2 at Qatar. The 2022 World Cup host stayed in fourth with seven points, level with the United Arab Emirates which defeated Kyrgyzstan 2-0.
In Group C, Australia and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Melbourne and remained level on six points from five games and are joined by China, which defeated Bahrain 1-0 with an injury-time goal from Zhang Yuning. Leader Japan will move seven points clear if they can defeat Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
Only the top two of six in each group will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. The third- and fourth-place finishers will advance to the next stage.


McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight

McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight
Updated 14 November 2024
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McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight

McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight
  • McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton
  • McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros

DUBAI: Rory McIlroy claimed a share of the first-round lead at the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday as he closed in on equalling Seve Ballesteros’ mark of six European Tour Order of Merit crowns.
McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton.
The 35-year-old McIlroy started the season-ending event in Dubai with a healthy lead over South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence who endured a nightmare day, signing for a one-over 73 which included five bogeys.
With 2,000 points on offer to the winner, McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros.
Playing partners Hatton and Paul Waring, who sealed the biggest victory of his career at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship, hit the front at four under after they each birdied the 14th hole, but the Northern Irishman followed suit shortly after.
Hatton became the first person to reach five under with a birdie at the penultimate hole, only to be matched by McIlroy’s 48-foot putt at the same hole to share the lead with Englishman.
“I thought I played well. I hit the ball pretty well. I gave myself plenty of chances, plenty of looks,” four-time major champion McIlroy said.
“I want to go on from here and win the golf tournament. I’ve opened up with a really good score, but I need to go out and play similarly over these next three days, not just to try to win the tournament, but also to try to get the job done in the Race to Dubai.
“I’m under no illusions that that was probably Thriston’s worst day. If he goes out and has three good ones, I still need to go out there and play some very solid golf.”
Hatton, 33, carded seven birdies and two dropped shots in his round.
Dubai-based Waring reached the turn in 32 before mixing a bogey and birdie on the back nine to sit alone in third at four under.
There are seven players at three under — Billy Horschel, Matt Wallace, Adam Scott, Alex Fitzpatrick, Niklas Norgaard and Japanese duo Keita Nakajima and Rikuya Hoshino.


Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30

Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30
Updated 14 November 2024
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Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30

Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30
  • SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe and the GT4 European Series
  • Some of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers will take part in the race

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, dubbed the fastest street circuit in the world, is set to host the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 for the first time on Nov. 29-30.
The SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races — the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, which lasts for six hours and covers 1,000 km with more than 40 teams participating, and the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing, which is 250 km long and features more than 30 teams.
GT racing showcases car models designed for road use that have been expertly modified for high-speed endurance events, often proving to be more powerful and durable than Formula cars, according to a media statement on Thursday.
The championship is sponsored by Fanatec, a leading manufacturer of racing simulation equipment, offering a connection between real and virtual motorsports.
The race will see an array of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers take part, such as Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Ford.
The primary focus of GT racing is to challenge the endurance of both drivers and cars, particularly in events such as the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024.
Teams, drivers and spectators are set to make the most of the opportunities offered by the SAL Jeddah GT 2024. Saudi Arabia will again be in the global spotlight as it becomes an important destination for international motorsport stars and racing enthusiasts, in a new championship that stands apart from other regional competitions, the media statement said.


UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024
Updated 14 November 2024
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UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024
  • “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said
  • The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal

NYON: UEFA started another investigation into English match official David Coote on Thursday after a video allegedly showed him using cocaine during the European Championship.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said in a statement.
Coote worked as a video review specialist at Euro 2024, where match officials stayed at a hotel near Frankfurt. He was an assistant supporting the lead VAR official at eight games.
British daily The Sun published a video late Wednesday appearing to show Coote snorting the drug using an American banknote.
The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal. France won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Coote was suspended on Monday by the English match referees body after a different cellphone video circulated of him making offensive comments with friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. That body and the English FA started investigations.
UEFA already withdrew Coote from match duty for national team games this week after the first video was published.
The games he worked at Euro 2024 included host Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 that included a controversial penalty award for handball. The lead VAR official at that game, Stuart Attwell, was involved in some of the tournament’s most debated decisions.


Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
Updated 14 November 2024
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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
  • A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
  • The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year

TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.