Saudi world champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi crowned winner of Desafio Ruta 40 Rally

Saudi world champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi crowned winner of Desafio Ruta 40 Rally
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Al-Rajhi and his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk finished first by just 13 seconds. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 June 2024
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Saudi world champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi crowned winner of Desafio Ruta 40 Rally

Saudi world champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi crowned winner of Desafio Ruta 40 Rally
  • Al-Rajhi’s win marks 4th round of the World Rally-Raid Championship
  • ‘It was a long and fierce battle … This victory is well-deserved for me and the team,’ says Al-Rajhi

CORDOBA, Argentina: World champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi has become the first Saudi and third non-Argentinian driver to win in Argentina since 2010 after he was crowned the 2024 Desafio Ruta 40 Rally winner on Friday.
The Saudi driver’s win marks the fourth round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, said in a media statement.
Al-Rajhi and his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk finished first by just 13 seconds. They recorded a total time of 17 hours, 38 minutes, and 21 seconds over six days on rough, technical gravel tracks between June 1-7.
“Winning by just seconds is an incredible feeling. It was a long and fierce battle, and I led skillfully every day. This victory is well-deserved for me and the team,” said Al-Rajhi.
“I am delighted with this win. I thank God for this victory … It’s great to be back in Argentina. Last year, I finished third, and today I won the second edition of the Desafio Ruta 40 Rally,” he added.
Co-driver Gottschalk said: “It wasn’t for the faint-hearted. Yazeed fired another rocket in the final kilometers, overcoming every challenge. It was truly outstanding driving. We are thrilled with this victory and definitely deserve the upcoming summer break.”
The Saudi champion secured victories in two of the five stages, finishing second in the remaining three, accumulating valuable points that placed him second in the W2RC standings after the Argentine rally.
The team’s remarkable performance leaves them just 25 points behind the leader, with the competition remaining open until the final round in Morocco in October.
The rally began with a prologue in Cordoba, where Al-Rajhi secured second place. After that, he dominated the first loop stage. In the second stage, the longest at 724 km, he maintained his overall lead. The third stage, a 451-km loop, saw the team perform brilliantly, keeping their lead.
The fourth stage in La Rioja, covering 676 km, was extremely tough, but Al-Rajhi drove cautiously to avoid any issues, finishing the stage still in the lead.
In the final stage, he faced a thrilling challenge, with only one second separating him from his closest competitor in the provisional standings. Ultimately, Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk won by 40 seconds, securing a brave victory.
Covering a total distance of 3,045 km, including 1,917 km of special stages, the Desafio Ruta 40 Rally is one of the most prestigious and challenging rallies in Latin America.


Sabalenka eases past Kostyuk into Madrid Open semis

Sabalenka eases past Kostyuk into Madrid Open semis
Updated 13 sec ago
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Sabalenka eases past Kostyuk into Madrid Open semis

Sabalenka eases past Kostyuk into Madrid Open semis

MADRID: Last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka survived a gritty Marta Kostyuk and an untimely rain interruption to complete a 7-6(7/4), 7-6(9/7) win over the Ukrainian and reach the Madrid Open semifinals for a fourth time on Wednesday.
The top-seeded Sabalenka needed 84 minutes to take the opening set before securing the win in cold, breezy conditions.
Kostyuk saved a match point and broke to take the second set into a tiebreak. At 5-4 in the breaker, it started to rain and play was halted briefly to close the roof of the Manolo Santana stadium.
Upon resumption of play, Sabalenka saved three set points and eked out the win, her third over her rival in as many meetings.
“Honestly, that was a battle and conditions were incredibly tough. It wasn’t about tennis, it was about the way you handled your emotions,” said the Belarusian world number one, who hit 48 unforced errors.
“I think I did really well and I’m super proud I was able to handle myself in such a difficult situation.”
Sabalenka next takes on another Ukrainian in the form of Elina Svitolina, who extended her winning streak to 11 consecutive matches with a swift 6-2, 6-1 rout of Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in just 52 minutes.
A champion in Rouen last week, Svitolina is undefeated on clay this season and is the first Ukrainian woman to reach the semifinals in Madrid.
The 30-year-old has won her last 22 consecutive sets on the red dirt.
Svitolina has a three-year-old daughter, is running a foundation that has taken over the responsibilities of the Ukrainian national tennis team both financially and from a managerial side, and is on an incredible run that will see her re-enter the top 15 in the rankings.
“I have a lot on my plate, but I draw energy and motivation from my people,” said the former world number three.
“When I go back to Ukraine, I just get so much energy from all the people that are right now over there having a tough time. I’m just trying to keep it up and bring some wins for Ukraine.”
Earlier in the day, Iga Swiatek kept her Madrid Open title defense alive, as she avenged her Australian Open defeat to Madison Keys with a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against the American in the quarter-finals.
The second seed will next square off with Coco Gauff, who beat 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva for the third time in as many meetings, 7-5, 6-1.
Searching for her first title of the season, the second-seeded Swiatek recovered from a poor opening set to improve her clean record on clay against Keys to 4-0 and reach a third consecutive Madrid semifinal.
Keys knocked out the Pole on her way to a maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne three months ago and seemed to have cracked the Swiatek code when she handed her a bagel in the first set on Wednesday.
But Swiatek, who was contesting a 17th consecutive quarter-final on clay, cut down on her errors and struck back to book a last-four clash with Gauff.
On court in the Arantxa Sanchez stadium, Gauff saved two set points while receiving at 4-5 before seizing a one-set lead after 63 minutes of play against Andreeva.
Gauff cruised in the second set to dismiss the seventh-seeded Russian and reach her first semifinal of the year — outside of the mixed team United Cup event.
The fourth-seeded American gave herself a 9/10 grade for her performance, adding: “I think I played really well and stayed composed, even when facing those set points.”
In ATP action, Novak Djokovic’s conqueror Matteo Arnaldi earned multiple top-20 wins in one event for the first time by knocking out 16th-seeded Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 7-5 to move into the Madrid quarter-finals.
The Italian world number 44 will take on Jack Draper, who reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final on clay with a 6-2, 6-2 result against world number 12 Tommy Paul.
Lucky loser Gabriel Diallo saved three match points to claim the biggest win of his career over world number 16 Grigor Dimitrov 5-7, 7-6(9/7), 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals.


Amorim says not even Europa League glory can save Man Utd’s season

Amorim says not even Europa League glory can save Man Utd’s season
Updated 30 April 2025
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Amorim says not even Europa League glory can save Man Utd’s season

Amorim says not even Europa League glory can save Man Utd’s season
  • United are currently a lowly 14th in the Premier League table, having accrued just 39 points
  • “Everybody knows that it’s really important for our season,” United manager Amorim said during a pre-match press conference

BILBAO, Spain: Ruben Amorim on Wednesday admitted that even winning the Europa League would not salvage Manchester United’s miserable season.
The fallen English giants face Athletic Bilbao in the semifinals, with the first leg in Spain on Thursday.
But whatever the result at the San Mames, also the venue for May’s final, it will not disguise the fact that this has been United’s worst campaign of the Premier League era and one where bitter rivals Liverpool have equalled their record of 20 top-flight English titles.
United are currently a lowly 14th in the Premier League table, having accrued just 39 points with four matches remaining, meaning they will have to win the Europa League in order to qualify for the Champions League.
“Everybody knows that it’s really important for our season,” United manager Amorim said during a pre-match press conference.
“We know that nothing is going to save our season but this can be huge.
“Winning a trophy and also to get in the Champions League to have European games next year could change a lot of things in our club, even in the summer.”
United are bidding to win the competition for the second time after their success under Jose Mourinho in 2016/17.
“As the head coach said, this is not going to save the season,” said midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
“But the history of United is written with titles, so that’s why we’re focused very much on tomorrow and to be able to play in the Champions League next season, so it’s very important and altogether we’re going to try and win.”
Their European form has been the one saving grace for United in a difficult season where Amorim has struggled to make his presence felt domestically since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.
“Europa League will not change anything in our problems — it’s going to help us to have Champions League next year, more money to spend — but the problems are still there,” said Amorim.
“We have to change the minds of our fans with consistency, good decisions, good recruitment, good academy. This is what we need to change to take this club back to the top.
“This is more of a shortcut to go to European games. Nothing more.”
Two-time runners-up Bilbao have the added incentive of trying to reach a European final at their home ground.
“They are really strong as a team, really intense, really aggressive — even for a Spanish team they are aggressive in every duel,” Amorim said.
“They have great players one v one. Nico Williams is a special player. They are the best defense in Spain in the league. We are not scoring too many goals, so it’s going to be a tough match for us.”
United will have Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt, out since February and the start of April respectively, available.
“To start, no,” Amorim said. “But they can be in the squad for the game.”


AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
Updated 30 April 2025
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AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr

AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
  • Victory for the Riyadh side would have set up an all-Saudi final against Al-Ahli but they lose 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale of Japan in Jeddah
  • Jhon Duran has chance to make it 3-3 from close range in the closing minutes but fails to make contact

JEDDAH: Despite the best efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates, Al-Nassr lost 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale in the semifinal of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Wednesday, denying them the chance to take on Al-Ahli in an all-Saudi final on Saturday.
The Japanese side took the lead after just 10 minutes in spectacular fashion after Marcinho gained possession on the left side of the area and scooped a cross into the six-yard box. The ball was headed clear by Mohammed Simakan but only as far as Tatsuya Ito, who volleyed a delicious shot into the top corner of the net.
The goal came against run of play but Al-Nassr kept pushing and probing, and they were rewarded just two minutes before the half-hour mark. Sadio Mane cut in from the left side of the area and the shot from the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star took a deflection as it bounced into the back of the net.
Al-Nassr continued to attack. Ronaldo headed against the woodwork and then, after 40 minutes, Jhon Duran’s fierce shot flew just wide of the post from a good position.
The Colombian was left to rue the miss when, four minutes before the break, Kawasaki restored their lead. A shot by Ito was saved by Bento but the ball bounced into the path of Yuto Ozeki, who fired home from just inside the area.
Kawasaki did not sit back in the second half and should have extended their lead but Brazilian forward Erison somehow failed to get on the end of a low cross with the goal at his mercy.
In the 76th minute he redeemed himself, however, as he skipped past Aymeric Laporte on the byline and squared the ball to Akihiro Ienaga, who tapped home from the closest of ranges to make it 3-1.
It seemed as if that would be that but with three minutes remaining Al-Nassr pulled a goal back when Ayman Yahya fired a shot into the top corner from outside the area.
Soon after, Duran had a chance to make it 3-3 from close range but failed to make contact at the crucial moment. There was still time after that for a Ronaldo free-kick to be saved by the legs of Louis Yamaguchi before the referee blew for full time.
Kawasaki will now face Al-Ahli in the final on Saturday, again at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.


Jabal Tuwaiq lift trophy at Jazan region’s 1st Junior Hockey Championship

Jabal Tuwaiq lift trophy at Jazan region’s 1st Junior Hockey Championship
Updated 30 April 2025
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Jabal Tuwaiq lift trophy at Jazan region’s 1st Junior Hockey Championship

Jabal Tuwaiq lift trophy at Jazan region’s 1st Junior Hockey Championship
  • The tournament, organized by the Saudi Hockey Federation, featured four teams who scored a total of 23 goals in six matches
  • The Eagles of Abu Arish took 2nd place, and Al-Majd 3rd; Al-Majd’s Haitham Musalami was named player of the tournament

JAZAN: Jabal Tuwaiq were crowned champions of the first Junior Boys’ Hockey Championship held in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region, which concluded on Wednesday at Saad bin Muadh School.
The tournament, organized by the Saudi Hockey Federation, featured four teams who scored a total of 23 goals in six matches. The Eagles of Abu Arish took second place, with Al-Majd finishing third.
In the individual honors, Al-Majd’s Haitham Musalami was named player of the tournament, the top scorer award went to Eagles player Abdullah Azeek, and Jabal Tuwaiq’s Suleiman Al-Muaydi was named best goalkeeper.
The hockey federation said the tournament represented a foundational step in efforts to foster and develop competitive youth hockey across the region, in line with the organization’s strategic vision to expand the sport nationwide and lay the groundwork for national Junior Hockey League.


Chelsea FC teams up with UAE’s DAMAC for branded residences deal in Dubai

Amira Sajwani, Managing Director of Sales and Development of DAMAC Properties is pictured with Jason Gannon.
Amira Sajwani, Managing Director of Sales and Development of DAMAC Properties is pictured with Jason Gannon.
Updated 30 April 2025
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Chelsea FC teams up with UAE’s DAMAC for branded residences deal in Dubai

Amira Sajwani, Managing Director of Sales and Development of DAMAC Properties is pictured with Jason Gannon.
  • Agreement includes what is said to be first-of-its-kind football-themed property-development collaboration: Chelsea Residences by DAMAC
  • The luxury real estate company will also feature as front-of-shirt sponsor of the men’s and women’s teams for remainder of the season

DUBAI: Chelsea Football Club on Wednesday announced a long-term global partnership agreement with UAE-based DAMAC Properties, a Middle Eastern luxury real estate company.

The collaboration includes an ultra-modern development in Dubai, Chelsea Residences by DAMAC, described as a first-of-its-kind football-themed branded residences project. It will be built with the team’s famous brand woven into its fabric, the partners said, from its concierge services to high-performance spaces designed reflect the club in terms of high-end style, commitment to excellence and its vision for the future.

To showcase the partnership and celebrate the launch of the first Chelsea-branded residences, DAMAC will feature as front-of-shirt sponsors of the men’s and women’s teams for the remainder of this season, beginning with the men’s UEFA Conference League semi-final against Swedish side Djurgarden on May 1.

“This launch marks the first of an elite collection that celebrates not just the passion of Chelsea F.C. but its enduring legacy, innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Amira Sajwani, DAMAC’s managing director of sales and development.

“This initiative goes beyond celebrating the beautiful game; it sets a new benchmark for those who expect nothing less than the exceptional, every time.”

Jason Gannon, Chelsea’s president and chief operating officer, said: “DAMAC are world renowned in building luxury properties, and we are thrilled to be working with the industry leader to bring to market a first-of-its-kind branded Chelsea F.C. residence in Dubai.

“With the club located in the heart of London, the collaboration will bring Chelsea to life in Dubai, supporting our continued growth on the global stage. We can’t wait to see Chelsea Residences take its place in the Dubai skyline.”

The project will be part of Dubai’s new beachfront development Maritime City and consist of more than 1,400 residential units. Each will offer seafront views and access to exclusive Chelsea-branded amenities with a focus on health, fitness and well-being, the partners said.