ROSHN Group, Saudi Aramco to cooperate in the construction of 47,000-capacity stadium in Alkhobar

ROSHN Group, Saudi Aramco to cooperate in the construction of 47,000-capacity stadium in Alkhobar
A 47,000-capacity arena, to be called the Aramco Stadium, is to be built in Alkhobar in the Eastern Province following a cooperation agreement between ROSHN Group and Saudi Aramco. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 31 July 2024
Follow

ROSHN Group, Saudi Aramco to cooperate in the construction of 47,000-capacity stadium in Alkhobar

ROSHN Group, Saudi Aramco to cooperate in the construction of 47,000-capacity stadium in Alkhobar
  • The Aramco Stadium is expected to be fully operational by 2026
  • New facility to meet the requirements of recreational, sports activities

ALKHOBAR: A 47,000-capacity arena, to be called the Aramco Stadium, is to be built in Alkhobar in the Eastern Province following a cooperation agreement between ROSHN Group and Saudi Aramco.
The stadium is expected to be fully operational by 2026, when it will be ready to host local and international events, including the Asian Cup which Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host in January 2027, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
ROSHN Group, which is owned by the Public Investment Fund, announced that its arrangement with Saudi Aramco will build the arena, which will have a distinctive design inspired by the whirlpools that form off the coast of the Arabian Gulf.
The new facility will meet the requirements of recreational and sports activities. It will adhere to the highest standards of inclusiveness, safety and sustainability, making it a leading local destination for sports and entertainment.
Promoting sports is a fundamental pillar of the Quality of Life Program and Saudi Vision 2030. Developing projects such as Aramco Stadium contributes to enhancing community participation and aiding the Kingdom’s attractiveness to host international competitions, which helps the sports economy.
ROSHN Group announced on Tuesday that a 45,000-seater stadium is to be built in southwest Riyadh. The landmark mixed-use project, which will be built over 450,000 sq. meters, will also contain shops, restaurants and hospitality venues.


AFC Wimbledon knock Ipswich out of League Cup as Newcastle edge Forest in shootout

AFC Wimbledon knock Ipswich out of League Cup as Newcastle edge Forest in shootout
Updated 29 August 2024
Follow

AFC Wimbledon knock Ipswich out of League Cup as Newcastle edge Forest in shootout

AFC Wimbledon knock Ipswich out of League Cup as Newcastle edge Forest in shootout
  • Wimbledon goalkeeper Owen Goodman was the hero as the League Two side defeated Ipswich on spot kicks following a 2-2 draw
  • With League Cup ties that end level after 90 minutes now going straight to penalties it was visitors Newcastle who prevailed 4-3 from the spot

LONDON: Fourth-tier AFC Wimbledon knocked top-flight Ipswich out of the English League Cup in a shock second round shootout result on Wednesday as Newcastle defeated Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest on penalties.

AFC Wimbledon were then drawn against Newcastle in the third round, giving the club the chance of pulling off another giant-killing success.

Wimbledon goalkeeper Owen Goodman was the hero as the League Two side defeated Ipswich on spot kicks following a 2-2 draw.

Ali Al-Hamadi, who joined Ipswich from Wimbledon in January, scored the opener in just the third minute but Omar Bugiel equalized for the hosts just before halftime.

Mathew Stevens gave Wimbledon a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute but Conor Chaplin capitalized on a Goodman mistake in the closing stages to send the match to penalties.

Ipswich were on course to go through to the third round when Jake Reeves fired over the crossbar.

Goodman, however, made two superb saves from Jack Taylor and Omari Hutchinson before Isaac Ogundere scored the decisive penalty.

“The underdog story in football,” Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson told the BBC. “It’s another amazing night in another chapter in that story.

“We always have to do it the hard way as a football club, but we find a way.”

Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali made his return from a 10-month betting ban against Forest, the midfielder having served a worldwide suspension for breaching gambling rules in Italy.

Tonali was involved in the buildup to Joe Willock’s opener after just 18 seconds before home debutant Jota Silva equalized early in the second half.

But there were no more goals in normal time and with League Cup ties that end level after 90 minutes now going straight to penalties it was visitors Newcastle who prevailed 4-3 from the spot.

The first three penalties all resulted in goals before Forest goalkeeper Miguel got down low to his right to deny Brazilian compatriot Joelinton.

But Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare hit the crossbar and teammate Taiwo Awoniyi struck an awful penalty way over the bar before Sean Longstaff coolly settled the tie in favor of Newcastle.

“Massive result for us and hopefully one that kickstarts our season,” Longstaff told Sky Sports.

Two goals in added time from James Bree and Cameron Archer saw Premier League returnees Southampton to their first win of the season as they secured a 5-3 triumph at second-tier Cardiff.

Southampton led three times only to be pulled back to 3-3 by a determined Cardiff before Bree’s 30-yard drive edged the Premier League side 4-3 in front, with Archer’s second goal putting the result beyond doubt.

“I’m really happy with the win and I’m pleased for my young players,” said Southampton manager Russell Martin, who gave five of his players their first start for the club. “But there is also a lot to be annoyed about.”

Jarrod Bowen’s late strike proved the difference as West Ham advanced into the third round with a 1-0 win over fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.

Two minutes from full time a shot from substitute Mohammed Kudus appeared to hit the chest of Bowen and flew past Cherries keeper Neto.

Replays suggested the final touch may have come off Bowen’s elbow but, with no VAR in use in the early rounds of the League Cup, the goal stood.

West Ham will now play holders Liverpool in the third round — a repeat of the 1981 final that the Reds won in a replay.

Hakon Valdimarsson saved an 82nd-minute penalty as Premier League Brentford won 1-0 away to League Two Colchester, with the Bees going through courtesy of Keane Lewis-Potter’s goal.

Third-tier Wycombe defeated Championship club Swansea 1-0 thanks to Richard Kone’s first-half strike, while Goncalo Guedes struck twice as Wolves knocked out Burnley with a 2-0 win at Molineux.

League Two Barrow’s reward for beating Championship club Derby on Tuesday was a fourth-round tie away to Chelsea, with Premier League champions Manchester City at home to Watford.


Young Boys shock Galatasaray, Salzburg and Sparta Prague also advance in Champions League playoffs

Young Boys shock Galatasaray, Salzburg and Sparta Prague also advance in Champions League playoffs
Updated 28 August 2024
Follow

Young Boys shock Galatasaray, Salzburg and Sparta Prague also advance in Champions League playoffs

Young Boys shock Galatasaray, Salzburg and Sparta Prague also advance in Champions League playoffs
  • Young Boys won 1-0 in the second leg thanks to a goal by Alan Virginius and completed a 4-2 victory on aggregate
  • Salzburg drew 1-1 with Dynamo to progress 3-1 on aggregate, while Sparta secured a second straight 2-0 win over Malmo

LONDON: Galatasaray followed Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in getting eliminated from Champions League qualifying, losing in the playoffs to Young Boys of Switzerland on Tuesday to ensure there will be no Turkish representation in the revamped league stage of Europe’s elite competition.

Young Boys won 1-0 in the second leg thanks to a goal by Alan Virginius and completed a 4-2 victory on aggregate, despite coming into the playoffs in last place in the 12-team Swiss league.

Fenerbahce, in its first season under Mourinho, was knocked out in the third qualifying round by Lille two weeks ago.

Salzburg and Sparta Prague also advanced to the 36-team league stage by ousting Dynamo Kiev and Malmo, respectively.

Salzburg drew 1-1 with Dynamo to progress 3-1 on aggregate, while Sparta secured a second straight 2-0 win over Malmo.

There are four more matches in the playoffs on Wednesday to complete the 36-team lineup, the draw for which takes place on Thursday.


Olmo clinches Barca comeback win at Rayo on debut

Olmo clinches Barca comeback win at Rayo on debut
Updated 28 August 2024
Follow

Olmo clinches Barca comeback win at Rayo on debut

Olmo clinches Barca comeback win at Rayo on debut

MADRID: Dani Olmo celebrated his delayed Barcelona debut with a goal to seal a 2-1 comeback victory at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Tuesday.

The Spain playmaker’s 82nd-minute strike helped Barcelona claim their third win from three matches under new coach Hansi Flick at the start of the season.

Barca were unable to register Olmo with La Liga after signing him from RB Leipzig until earlier in the day and he made an instant impact after being brought on at Rayo’s Vallecas stadium.

Unai Lopez sent Rayo ahead against a flat Barca in the first half but Olmo came on at the break and energised the Catalans, who levelled through Pedri before the new arrival struck the winner.

Rayo Vallecano, celebrating their centenary year, signed former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez earlier in the week and he watched on from the presidential box as the capital club started strongly.

The hosts attacked with intent and got their reward when Jorge De Frutos drove forward on the right and crossed for Lopez, who finished with a low effort at the near post.

Rayo minimized Barcelona’s threat in the first half except for the odd occasion teenage star Lamine Yamal managed to work his magic.

Flick hooked Ferran Torres at half-time and threw on Olmo for his debut, after he had missed their first two league matches waiting for Barcelona to get their finances in order to complete his registration.

With Olmo entering the fray he took up a central attacking midfield position, with Brazil winger Raphinha restored to the left flank.

The former Barca academy player quickly began to make his mark on proceedings and the Catalans started to generate chances.

Polish veteran Robert Lewandowski should have levelled but could not get a solid touch close to goal on Raphinha’s dangerous cross.

Raphinha whistled a free-kick narrowly wide and Olmo smashed a 30-yard drive against the crossbar.

Barca made the pressure count and Pedri levelled on the hour mark after exchanging passes with Raphinha and sweeping home.

Barca thought they had a second 10 minutes later, when Yamal’s shot was saved and Lewandowski worked room to tuck the rebound home.

However the goal was controversially disallowed after a VAR referral when the referee deemed Jules Kounde guilty of a foul, when he made light contact with Pep Chavarria’s foot in the build-up.

The visitors did not lick their wounds for too long, maintaining the pressure, and Olmo finished with aplomb after Yamal set him up.

Barcelona played with an energy in the second half which has often been missing late in games in recent years, with the team appearing notably fitter under Flick.

The victory guarantees Barca will top the table after the third round of matches, despite various injury issues affecting important players including Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo.

Champions Real Madrid visit Las Palmas on Thursday while Atletico Madrid host Espanyol on Wednesday, among other fixtures.


Joao Cancelo joins Al-Hilal from Man City

Joao Cancelo joins Al-Hilal from Man City
Updated 27 August 2024
Follow

Joao Cancelo joins Al-Hilal from Man City

Joao Cancelo joins Al-Hilal from Man City

RIYADH: Al-Hilal announced the signing of Portuguese full back Joao Cancelo on Tuesday as the Saudi champions beef up their defense in a bid to retain their crown.
The 30-year-old joins the Riyadh team from English title holders Manchester City, after the player and the Blues agreed a three-year contract.
Cancelo has not featured much in Pep Guardiola’s side since the 2022-23 season and has had loan spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munchen.
The Portuguese defender will join compatriot Ruben Neves in the Saudi capital as well as Brazilian superstar Neymar, who is battling to get fit after a serious injury sidelined him since October.


Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo

Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo
Updated 27 August 2024
Follow

Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo

Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo

MADRID: Dani Parejo scored from a penalty rebound in the 10th minute of added time on Monday as Villarreal wrested top spot in La Liga from Celta Vigo with a 4-3 home victory.

Celta opened the third round of the Liga season top of the table on goal difference from Real Madrid after winning their opening two games.

Borja Iglesias, making his Celta debut, gave the visitors the lead when he pounced on a loose ball and tucked it into an empty net after 12 minutes.

Sergi Cardona, unmarked at the far post, levelled from a 26th-minute corner.

Oscar Mingueza smashed Celta back ahead before half-time.

Villarreal substitute Thierno Barry, who had been on the field for a minute, headed an equalizer on the hour.

Four minutes later, Celta defender Jailson turned a cross from Nicolas Pepe into his own net to put Villarreal ahead.

Swedish center-back Carl Starfelt headed Celta level in the 80th minute.

Deep into stoppage time Celta’s Hugo Alvarez, a second-half substitute, pulled down Barry to concede a penalty.

Goalkeeper Ivan Villar saved Parejo’s spot kick but the midfielder scored from the rebound.

The victory took Villarreal to seven points and they took over top spot.