Al-Ittihad look to supporters to help them halt unstoppable Hilal in AFC Champions League

Al-Ittihad look to supporters to help them halt unstoppable Hilal in AFC Champions League
Abderrazak Hamdallah will lead Al-Ittihad's attack against Al-Hilal in the second leg of the AF Champions League quarter-final. (X/@ittihad_en)
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Updated 12 March 2024
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Al-Ittihad look to supporters to help them halt unstoppable Hilal in AFC Champions League

Al-Ittihad look to supporters to help them halt unstoppable Hilal in AFC Champions League
  • The Riyadh club lead 2-0 from the quarterfinal first leg and have a chance to set a new world record of 28 consecutive wins

JEDDAH: It goes without saying that any Classico between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal is huge.

When it is in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League then it becomes even bigger, with the Riyadh giants 2-0 ahead from the first leg and in sight of a place in the last four as they chase a record fifth title.

There have been big all-Saudi Arabian meetings on the continental stage before but there is something unique about Tuesday’s second leg clash in Jeddah.

If Al-Hilal win, it will be a 28th straight victory in all competitions. To say this would be a magnificent achievement is true and reflected in the fact that it would set a new world record for the number of consecutive wins.

At the moment, they are level on 27 with The New Saints. The Welsh team reached that landmark in the 2016-2017 season, breaking a long-standing record of 26 that had been set in the early seventies by Dutch giants Ajax.

Now Al-Hilal can set their own record to go alongside the club’s impressive trophy haul. It is understandable that coach Jorge Jesus is trying to play it down.

“The win record is a secondary plan that has come about. If the record comes about, it is history for the players, the coach and the club,” the Portuguese boss said Monday. “It’s a world record but it’s not a title — titles are the league, the cup and the Asian Champions League. It’s true that the more you win then the closer you are to achieving your objectives, and we welcome that.”

Jesus is close to achieving something that no other coach in history has done. It is a record that could stand for decades. As well as the undoubted talent that there is in the team, this streak is testament to the sheer winning mentality that exists in the blue corner of Riyadh. It is simply incredible.

However, a win at a passionate King Abdullah Sports City stadium remains one of the toughest challenges that exists in Asian football, regardless of current form.

Al-Ittihad may not be at their most fluent this season but they are still the defending Saudi Arabian champions. They may be without N’Golo Kante — after the midfielder was sent off in the first leg — and star striker Karim Benzema, who is recovering from injury, but there is still Fabinho, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Romarinho, Ahmed Hegazi and others to contend with.

Then there are the fans. There will be 60,000 present for the big game. The atmosphere will be intense. Of course, for those supporters the priority is to get to the last four of the continental competition and to stay in with a chance of winning it for the first time since 2005. To come back from a two-goal deficit against their Riyadh rivals would make it one of the most famous and celebrated nights in the history of the club.

The world record adds a different element for Al-Ittihad too. Even if the Tigers cannot overturn that two-goal deficit against the most in-form team in the world they can stop their bitter rivals from setting a new world record. That would be some consolation.

“The game is not over yet,” said Ittihad boss Marcelo Gallardo. “We still have a chance to reach the next round and we have the support of our fans. We have a great opportunity and we are excited.”

Al-Ittihad may not be close to the kind of form that Al-Hilal are enjoying — nobody is — but at least followed the first-leg loss with a 2-1 win over Al-Okhdood to move to fourth in the table.

The Blues picked up win number 27 on Friday with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Al-Riyadh to go 12 points clear at the top. It means they can focus on the second leg especially as Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic were rested and are now available to start.

“Sergej and Ruben are among the players that have played the most minutes this season. I felt that after the last game against Ittihad that they were a little bit tired,” said Jesus. “They are fundamental players in the team and it’s important that we have them well recovered. It’s also important we can recover Salem (Al-Dawsari) for the next match.

“We didn’t show a lot of freshness (against Al-Riyadh), but we showed enough to achieve the target of winning the game. We are prepared for Ittihad in the Champions League.”

And prepared to make history.


Benjamin Mendy wins most of $14m unpaid wages case against Manchester City

Benjamin Mendy wins most of $14m unpaid wages case against Manchester City
Updated 53 min 19 sec ago
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Benjamin Mendy wins most of $14m unpaid wages case against Manchester City

Benjamin Mendy wins most of $14m unpaid wages case against Manchester City
  • The France international filed a claim against Manchester City last year
  • The 30-year-old argued City unlawfully deducted wages that he was due under his contract

LONDON: Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy won a case against the club on Wednesday for most of over 11 million pounds ($14 million) in wages withheld after he was charged with sexual offenses, of which he was later cleared.
The France international filed a claim against Manchester City last year. The Premier League club stopped paying him in September 2021, shortly after he was charged with sexual offenses, until the end of his contract in June 2023.
Mendy was acquitted of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January 2023, following a trial at Chester Crown Court. He was found not guilty of one count of rape and one of attempted rape after a retrial.
The 30-year-old argued City unlawfully deducted wages that he was due under his contract, saying in a witness statement that he had been promised he would be paid after he was cleared.
City’s lawyers, however, said Mendy was not paid because he was not able to perform his duties as he was held in custody before his trial for breaching his bail conditions.
“Mr Mendy is entitled to recover some, but not all, of the sums claimed,” Judge Joanne Dunlop said in a written ruling on Wednesday.
Manchester City did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mendy said in a statement posted on X: “Having had to wait for three years for my wages, I am delighted with the decision and sincerely hope that the club will now do the honorable thing and pay the outstanding amounts, as well as the other amounts promised to me under the contract, without further delay, so I can finally put this difficult part of my life behind me.”
Dunlop said in her ruling that Manchester City was entitled to withhold Mendy’s pay for two periods he spent in custody, covering about five months of the 22-month period of his claim.
When Mendy was not in custody, Dunlop found, he was “ready and willing to work” and prevented from doing so by his suspension by the Football Association and bail conditions “which were unavoidable or involuntary on his part.”
Mendy joined City from AS Monaco in 2017 for a fee of around 52 million pounds, on an annual salary of 6 million pounds.
He signed for French club Lorient, currently in Ligue 2, shortly after his retrial.


McIlroy looks to clinch Race to Dubai title with new swing after 3 weeks shut away in a studio

McIlroy looks to clinch Race to Dubai title with new swing after 3 weeks shut away in a studio
Updated 06 November 2024
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McIlroy looks to clinch Race to Dubai title with new swing after 3 weeks shut away in a studio

McIlroy looks to clinch Race to Dubai title with new swing after 3 weeks shut away in a studio
  • The No. 3-ranked McIlroy said he has been locked in a studio for three weeks just hitting balls at a screen with a modified swing

ABU DHABI: Rory McIlroy can finish a season as the European tour’s top player for the sixth time with a win at the Abu Dhabi Championship this week.
He’ll attempt to do so with a new swing.
The No. 3-ranked McIlroy said he has been hunkered down in a studio — first in Florida, then in New York — for three weeks, just hitting balls at a screen with a modified swing and not even looking at the flight of his shots.
He hasn’t liked the shape of his swing for a while, he said Wednesday, and wanted a more robust one that could hold up in the most pressure-filled moments following a number of missed chances this season. The most notable was at the US Open in June, where he missed two putts in the 3-foot range in the final three holes on Sunday to pave the way for a victory for Bryson DeChambeau and extend McIlroy’s decade without a major title.
“The only way I was going to make a change, or at least move in the right direction, with my swing was to lock myself in a studio and not see the ball flight for a bit and just focus entirely on the movement,” McIlroy said.
“It’s something, he added, “just to make my golf swing more efficient, and then if it is more efficient, then it means it’s not going to break down as much under pressure. If I look at my year, the one thing that I would criticize myself on is the fact that I’ve had these chances to win.”
McIlroy has won twice this year — at the Dubai Desert Classic and the Wells Fargo Championship — and has had four second-place finishes, including recently at the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship on the European tour.
That has left the Northern Irishman frustrated but well clear in the Race to Dubai rankings that determine the best player of the year on the European tour. A win in Abu Dhabi can seal the title and remove some suspense — at least for McIlroy — from the final event of the season, at the World Tour Championship in nearby Dubai next week.
“If I go out and win this week, obviously you know, it makes it a bit boring next week,” the four-time major champion said. “But I won’t find it boring. It will be lovely.”
A sixth Race to Dubai title — it used to be called the Order of Merit — would put McIlroy level with the late Seve Ballesteros on the all-time list and only two behind Colin Montgomerie, who has a record eight.
“I’m a European player,” McIlroy said. “I would like to go down as the most successful European of all time. Obviously Race to Dubai wins would count to that but also major championships and hopefully I’ve got a few more Ryder Cups ahead of me as well.
“So that’s something that I would like to (do). I think (it) is a goal that’s quite attainable over the next 10 years.”


Over 40 drivers set for groundbreaking Formula E pre-season testing

Over 40 drivers set for groundbreaking Formula E pre-season testing
Updated 06 November 2024
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Over 40 drivers set for groundbreaking Formula E pre-season testing

Over 40 drivers set for groundbreaking Formula E pre-season testing
  • Flash floods in Valencia mean the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s session has been moved to the Circuito del Jarama in Madrid
  • The test will also see the first all-female test session in an FIA Championship, featuring drivers in the new GEN3 Evo car

LONDON: As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship gears up for the start of the new season in Sao Paulo next month, pre-season testing takes place in Spain this week.

Eleven teams will hit the track as they fine-tune their preparations over the four days, from Nov. 5-8. There will also be a historic milestone, with the first all-female test session in an FIA Championship.

Following the devastating flash floods affecting Valencia, the test session has been moved to the Circuito del Jaramo in Madrid following consultation between Formula E, the FIA, local authorities and Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

While Valencia has been integral to Formula E since 2017, the decision was made to avoid diverting resources from local relief efforts. Formula E has confirmed its commitment to supporting the recovery of the Valencia community.

Formula E Chief Championship Officer Alberto Longo said: “We are incredibly thankful to be able to kick off our pre-season testing in Madrid, a move made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Circuito de Jarama team. Our thoughts are still with the Valencia community as we prepare to hit the track, as a place so close to our hearts.

“This season marks a significant milestone as we unveil the GEN3 Evo, showcasing its incredible acceleration speeds for the first time. Additionally, we are proud to make history with the inaugural women’s test — a first for an FIA Championship — reflecting our commitment to diversity and inclusion in motorsport. There’s so much to be excited about as we gear up for the new season, which starts next month in Sao Paulo. Season 11 of Formula E, vamos!”

The first FIA all-female test session is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8. Each team in the championship is required to field at least one female driver for the half-day session.

The GEN3 Evo means the teams and drivers need to master another new car. There have also been grid additions and a flurry of driver changes.

Maximilian Gunther has joined DS PENSKE, partnering two-time Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne, after departing Maserati MSG Racing. Though both teams use the Stellantis powertrain, this move marks a fresh chapter for Gunther, who has been in the championship since Season 5. Meanwhile, Stoffel Vandoorne has left DS PENSKE to join Maserati MSG Racing, where he will team up with newcomer Jake Hughes, transitioning to the GEN3 Evo era from NEOM McLaren.

Some teams have opted for stability, retaining their existing driver line-ups from last season. Envision Racing will continue with Robin Frijns and Season 2 champion Sebastien Buemi, while TAG Heuer Porsche remains committed to defending World Champion Pascal Wehrlein and his teammate Antonio Felix da Costa.

Mahindra Racing will keep Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries and Jaguar TCS Racing’s duo, Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy, will return after securing the teams’ title at the Season 10 finale in London.

Andretti has seen a reshuffle, with Season 9 champion Jake Dennis now partnered with Nico Muller, who also became a Porsche works driver during the break. Norman Nato returns to Nissan, reuniting with Oliver Rowland after a year at Andretti.

The season also brings some exciting new faces — rookie Zane Maloney joins Lola Yamaha ABT in their inaugural Formula E season, pairing with Season 3 champion Lucas di Grassi.

NEOM McLaren welcomes back Taylor Barnard, who filled in last season and who embarks on his first full campaign alongside series veteran Sam Bird.

Newly rebranded Kiro Race Co. is the only team yet to confirm its driver line-up, with an announcement expected soon.


Indian cricket’s mega league auction heads to Saudi Arabia  

Indian cricket’s mega league auction heads to Saudi Arabia  
Updated 06 November 2024
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Indian cricket’s mega league auction heads to Saudi Arabia  

Indian cricket’s mega league auction heads to Saudi Arabia  
  • Jeddah to host TATA IPL 2025 player auction, the first such event in the Kingdom

RIYADH: The TATA IPL 2025 mega auction will be held in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Nov. 24 and 25, 2024.

Unlike regular auctions, the mega auction, which takes place every three years, is spread over two days instead of one and is one of the most followed events in cricket, as the 10 IPL franchises build their squads for the next three years (2025-2027).

Following the big announcement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation said on Wednesday: “The SACF, within the events in Jeddah calendar, are thrilled to announce that Jeddah has been selected by the BCCI to host the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Player Auction on November 24th and 25th, 2024 making it the first-ever international cricket event of this stature to be held in Saudi Arabia.”

The TATA IPL, widely recognised as the world’s most prestigious T20 cricket league, has registered 1,574 players from around the world for the 2025 player auction — 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from associate nations. With only 204 slots available, teams will engage in competitive bidding wars to secure top talent, promising a thrilling experience for cricket fans worldwide.

“We are very pleased to host this prestigious event, which confirms the depth of our relationship with the BCCI and its honorary secretary, Jay Shah. In addition to the Kingdom’s commitment to developing the sport and showcasing its position as a global destination for sporting events,” said Prince Saud bin Mishal, chairman of the SACF.

“This prestigious event is a testament to our dedication to develop the sport in the Kingdom, and we look forward to celebrating this remarkable moment with cricket fans across the Kingdom,” Prince Saud added.

مزاد الكريكيت الأكبر عالمياً في قلب المملكة العربية السعودية!

جدة تستضيف مزاد لاعبي الدوري الهندي الممتاز للعام 2025 - استعدوا لسباق المزايدات وبناء فرق الأحلام للموسم القادم!
#SACF | #SaudiCricket | #الاتحاد_السعودي_للكريكيت | #كريكيت | #IPL2025 | #IPLAuction |… pic.twitter.com/I7L5V3zdkm

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the IPL 2025 Player Auction not only highlights its potential as a cricketing destination but also signals a new era of cultural exchange and sporting excellence in the region.

Cricket fans in Saudi Arabia will have a unique opportunity to witness the creation of the TATA IPL 2025 teams and be part of a popular global event, the federation said.

Commenting on the mega auction heading to the Kingdom, India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan said: “It is a matter of great pride and excitement for us to witness the TATA IPL 2025 Players Auction being held in Saudi Arabia, a historic first that underscores the deepening ties between India and Saudi Arabia. This event reflects the growing cultural and sports exchanges between our two nations, symbolizing a new era of shared aspirations and people-to-people connectivity.”

Bringing the auction to Jeddah not only highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global sports and entertainment destination, but will also serve as catalyst for popularizing and developing cricket in the Kingdom, the ambassador said.

“Congratulations and best wishes to all those involved in making this momentous occasion possible,” Khan said.

There were 1,165 Indian and 409 overseas players registered for the auction, which will be held at the Abady Al Johar Arena (also known as Benchmark Arena), by the Nov. 4 deadline, the BCCI said.

Players are from countries including Italy, Canada, Netherlands, Scotland, the US and the UAE, apart from the full member nations excluding Pakistan.

Each franchise can build a squad of up to 25 players, which means that there are 204 slots available at the auction after the retention.

On Oct. 31, the deadline for teams to finalise which of their players they were keeping from their 2024 squads, a total of 46 players were retained across the 10 franchises.

The IPL allowed teams to retain up to six players this time — of which a maximum of five can be capped and a maximum of two can be uncapped. The six players can either be retained outright ahead of the auction, or can be bought back using right-to-match options at the auction, or a combination of both.

The IPL auction is being held overseas for the second successive year — 2024 was in Dubai.


Josh Inglis named Australia’s white-ball captain in ongoing series against Pakistan

Josh Inglis named Australia’s white-ball captain in ongoing series against Pakistan
Updated 06 November 2024
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Josh Inglis named Australia’s white-ball captain in ongoing series against Pakistan

Josh Inglis named Australia’s white-ball captain in ongoing series against Pakistan
  • Most Australian stars will be absent from Pakistan matches to prepare for Test series with India
  • The 29-year-old wicketkeeper Inglis will captain both the ODI and T20 series against Pakistan

SYDNEY: Josh Inglis will captain Australia for the first time in the third ODI against Pakistan and in the following Twenty20 series, selectors said Wednesday, with a number of stars absent.
Regular one-day skipper Pat Cummins plus Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will not play the third ODI in Perth on Sunday so they can prepare for the Test series against India.
Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Josh Philippe all come into the squad.
With Twenty20 skipper Mitchell Marsh on paternity leave, the 29-year-old wicketkeeper Inglis will also captain the hosts in the three-match T20 series against Pakistan starting November 14.
“Josh is an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams and a highly respected player on and off the field,” George Bailey, chairman of selectors, said.
“He has led Australia A previously and will bring strong tactical nous and a positive approach to the role.”
Australia won the first one-dayer on Monday by two wickets. The second match is on Friday.
Australia’s Test team, led by Cummins, will play five matches against India.
The first Test starts on November 22 in Perth.