‘My dream is to be the first Saudi female referee at a FIFA World Cup’: Reem Albishi

‘My dream is to be the first Saudi female referee at a FIFA World Cup’: Reem Albishi
Saudi Arabian futsal referee Reem Albishi is targeting World Cup participation. (SAFF)
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Updated 04 September 2024
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‘My dream is to be the first Saudi female referee at a FIFA World Cup’: Reem Albishi

‘My dream is to be the first Saudi female referee at a FIFA World Cup’: Reem Albishi
  • Albishi recently officiated in the OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup
  • ‘We will be supporting her at every step of the way’ – Lamia Bahaian, SAFF VP

RIYADH: Futsal referee Reem Albishi is one step closer to her dream of being the first female Saudi referee at a FIFA World Cup, after she recently represented the Kingdom by officiating in the OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

At the tournament, the Oceania qualifier for the inaugural 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Albishi refereed four matches, including the final between New Zealand and Fiji.

During the tournament, Albishi was lead referee in the group stage match between Tonga and the Solomon Islands. She was also assistant referee in two other group stage matches: New Zealand v Tonga and New Zealand v Tahiti. Additionally, she was the assistant referee in the final between New Zealand and Fiji, where the “Football Ferns” secured their place in the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in the Philippines.

Lamia Bahaian, vice president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “Reem’s dedication and determination have led her to this important stage in her career, and we couldn’t be prouder of what she’s achieved. She has consistently shown a strong commitment to her craft, and her involvement in such a significant tournament reflects her hard work and talent.

“We will be supporting her at every step of the way as she targets the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup,” Bahaian said. “Her journey represents the opportunities we are working to create for female referees in Saudi Arabia, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see these efforts taking shape. We look forward to seeing her continue to thrive and inspire the next generation.”

Born and raised in Jeddah, Albishi, 27, is the youngest of four sisters and one brother. She began refereeing women’s football in 2018 and switched to futsal in 2020. Although her love for football has always been present, she did not initially set out to become a referee.

Albishi, said: “I was playing football and had to stop because of an injury. That’s when I turned to refereeing, and I’ve never looked back. My dream is to be the first Saudi female referee at a FIFA World Cup, starting with the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in the Philippines.

“I also aspire to one day officiate in men’s competitions at the international level. The sky is the limit, and I’m determined to reach that goal.”

Albishi’s rapid development as a referee has taken her to several international competitions. Earlier this year, she travelled to France and officiated a French final four futsal playoff qualification match between Kremlin-Bicetre and Paris Acasa, as well as matches in New Caledonia, for the Oceania Football Confederation Futsal Men’s Champions League. At the Futsal Week U-19 Summer Cup in Croatia further showed her abilities when she worked alongside 14 international colleagues, officiating in seven matches and receiving praise for her performances, especially during the knockout rounds and final.

Albishi’s accomplishments have led to her being selected as a FIFA-accredited referee, making her an emerging candidate to officiate at the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup. In August, she also completed the latest on-field assessment at the Asian Football Confederation’s Elite Futsal Referees seminar in Kuala Lumpur.

Albishi’s presence in international competitions highlights the efforts made by the SAFF to enhance the refereeing landscape through targeted initiatives under its ‘Tactics for Tomorrow’ transformation strategy. This strategy includes dedicated pathways for female referees under the “Women’s Football” pillar and comprehensive support and incentives under the “Workforce” pillar, aimed at developing referees at all levels of the game. These efforts have already shown results, with the number of female referees increasing by 26 percent in 2024 compared with 2023.

As the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines approaches, Albishi’s performance at the OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup makes her a strong candidate for selection at the tournament.

 


Champions Spain fight back in Women’s Nations League opener, England held

Champions Spain fight back in Women’s Nations League opener, England held
Updated 16 sec ago
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Champions Spain fight back in Women’s Nations League opener, England held

Champions Spain fight back in Women’s Nations League opener, England held
  • The Netherlands were indebted to two goals from Lineth Beerensteyn for a 2-2 draw with Germany in Breda
  • France, runners-up to Spain in 2024, edged out Norway 1-0 in Toulouse thanks to a 73rd-minute goal from Marie-Antoinette Katoto

PARIS: Spain kicked off their Women’s Nations League title defense by fighting back to snatch a thrilling 3-2 win over Belgium on Friday while European champions England were held to a 1-1 draw in Portugal.

In Valencia, Mariam Toloba gave Belgium a surprise early lead against 2023 World Cup winners Spain and Tessa Wullaert struck a second in the 72nd minute.

Spain, who will be among the favorites at Euro 2025 this summer, where they will face Belgium again, pulled a goal back through Claudia Pina to spark their comeback.

Lucia Garcia levelled in stoppage time and Benfica’s Cristina Martin-Prieto blasted home with virtually the final touch of the game to complete the job.

Spain were without injured two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, as well as World Cup star Jenni Hermoso, whom coach Montse Tome did not call up.

The 34-year-old won her sexual assault case against disgraced former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales this week.

Belgium coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir was taking charge of her first match at the helm, in which she could not have asked for a tougher challenge.

In Euro 2025 qualifying last year Spain thumped Belgium 9-0 across the two games.

“I’m very happy, the group deserved it. We had to get the three points here,” said Spain’s match-winner Martin-Prieto, who was a late call-up after Amaiur Sarriegi was injured.

In the same section, England and Portugal finished level at 1-1 in Portimao.

Alessio Russo gave England a 15th-minute lead with a close-range tap-in from a cross by Lucy Bronze.

However, they were pegged back with 14 minutes left when substitute Kika Nazareth deservedly equalized after beating Grace Clinton before curling the ball into the corner of the net.

“They scored a great goal but we could’ve done better there,” said England coach Sarina Wiegman whose team will defend their European title in Switzerland later this year.

“I’m not thinking about the Euros. I’m just thinking about next Wednesday against Spain. It will be a tough game and we’ll try to win it.”

In a repeat of last year’s third place playoff, the Netherlands were indebted to two goals from Lineth Beerensteyn for a 2-2 draw with Germany in Breda.

Germany won the playoff in 2024 by 2-0 to qualify for the Paris Olympics where they went on to secure the bronze medal.

On Friday, Beerensteyn, who plays club football in Germany for Wolfsburg, saw her 15th-minute opener equalized by Lea Schueller on the stroke of halftime.

Sjoeke Nuesken edged Germany in front five minutes into the second period after being set-up by Jule Brand before Beerensteyn, the top scorer in last season’s tournament, made sure of a point for the Dutch in the 66th minute with a header from Chastity Grant’s cross.

France, runners-up to Spain in 2024, edged out Norway 1-0 in Toulouse thanks to a 73rd-minute goal from Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

The match saw Eugenie Le Sommer come off the bench to equal Sandrine Soubeyrand’s record of 198 caps for France.


Andreeva downs Rybakina in Dubai to become youngest WTA 1000 finalist

Andreeva downs Rybakina in Dubai to become youngest WTA 1000 finalist
Updated 2 min 56 sec ago
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Andreeva downs Rybakina in Dubai to become youngest WTA 1000 finalist

Andreeva downs Rybakina in Dubai to become youngest WTA 1000 finalist
  • Andreeva is the youngest player to beat multiple Grand Slam champions at a tournament of this level, having ousted Iga Swiatek, Marketa Vondrousova, and now Rybakina, en route to the final
  • She will face Clara Tauson in Saturday’s final after the Danish world No. 38 moved past Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in a two-hour 52-minute tussle

DUBAI: Teenager Mirra Andreeva toppled another seed at the Dubai Championships, upsetting Elena Rybakina on Friday to become the youngest player to reach the final of a WTA 1000 tournament.

The Russian 17-year-old fought back from 1-3 down in the deciding set to beat sixth-seeded Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 and move into the first WTA 1000 final of her career.

Andreeva is the youngest player to beat multiple Grand Slam champions at a tournament of this level, having ousted Iga Swiatek, Marketa Vondrousova, and now Rybakina, en route to the final.

She will face Clara Tauson in Saturday’s final after the Danish world No. 38 moved past Karolina Muchova 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in a two-hour 52-minute tussle.

“Honestly, it’s crazy because at first I was not very positive before coming to Dubai. I was like, ‘Okay, well, I’m just going to play’,” said Andreeva.

“As always, when you don’t think about how you’re going to play, you just play your best tennis. In the end, it’s one of your best tournaments.”

Tauson, 22, is enjoying a banner week that saw her knock out world number one Aryna Sabalenka. She is now through to the biggest final of her career, and fifth overall.

Tauson has collected a tour-leading 15 victories so far this season, one more than Swiatek and Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who each have 14.

“Muchova is such a great player. I don’t know what to say, I don’t know how I won today. I tried to keep my cool and play some good tennis,” said Tauson, who was on the receiving end of a stunning tweener lob winner struck by Muchova midway through the deciding set.

In the first semifinal of the day, a punishing backhand return from Andreeva earned her the first break of the match in game five and despite Rybakina’s immediate response, the young Russian got back in front and closed out the opening set on the 46-minute mark.

Having already saved six match points in her win over Paula Badosa in the round of 16, Rybakina looked ready to put up a fight against Andreeva and the second set was a tight affair.

The pair remained neck and neck until Rybakina found an opening when Andreeva double-faulted to face two set points at 4-5. Andreeva bounced the ball off the ground in frustration and received a code violation warning for ball abuse.

Moments later, former Wimbledon champion Rybakina took the match into a decider on a long defensive forehand from her opponent, as Andreeva dropped her first set of the tournament.

Rybakina made the first move in the third, breaking for a 3-1 advantage but Andreeva reacted and swept the next five games to wrap up the win in two hours and 15 minutes.

Andreeva will rise to a career-high No. 11 in the world by virtue of reaching the final and could become the first 17-year-old to break the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova achieved that feat in 2007 if she lifts the trophy on Saturday.

She made her tour debut less than two years ago but has quickly positioned herself as a star in the making with a great deal of pressure on her shoulders.

“Now I have some kind of pressure that people are expecting some things from me. People are saying, ‘She’s going to be No. 1, she’s going to win the Slams. She’s going to be great’,” explained Andreeva.

She says she’s been working with her psychologist to adopt the right mentality when dealing with such pressure.

“It’s easier for me to think these people are saying this because probably they are afraid of the way I play,” added Andreeva.

“It helps me to go on the court with kind of anger, not to prove to everyone that I really can do it, but to prove myself that I’m strong enough to handle the pressure and to really win these high-quality matches.”


Rublev in third Qatar Open final, faces Draper for title

Rublev in third Qatar Open final, faces Draper for title
Updated 5 min 55 sec ago
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Rublev in third Qatar Open final, faces Draper for title

Rublev in third Qatar Open final, faces Draper for title
  • Rublev: It took everything. It was super tough today
  • Left-handed Draper will be seeking his third career title but will have to overturn a losing 3-0 head-to-head record to depose the Russian

DOHA: Russia’s Andrey Rublev reached his third Qatar Open final on Friday after a “super tough” three-set triumph over Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.

Fifth-seeded Rublev, the 2020 champion at the Gulf tournament, battled to a 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) win over Auger-Aliassime, who fired down 21 aces in the two-hour, 47-minute semfinal.

“It took everything. It was super tough today,” said Rublev whose most recent final appearance was in Montreal last August.

“I felt like there was not much I can do if he is serving like that. I just needed to be really lucky to break him. He was serving well and I was just saying, ‘Okay, I cannot do much, this is one of the best servers on Tour. I just need to try to guess and when I have a moment, just go for it’.”

Rublev, who was also a runner-up in Doha in 2018, secured victory on Friday on a fourth match point. In his quarterfinal dismissal of second seed Alex de Minaur on Thursday, he had needed twice as many.

The Russian won the last of his 16 ATP titles on clay in Madrid in May 2024.

On Saturday, the 27-year-old will tackle British eighth seed Jack Draper for the title.

Draper defeated Carlos Alcaraz’s conquerer Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 on the back of 14 aces to reach his fifth final.

Left-handed Draper will be seeking his third career title but will have to overturn a losing 3-0 head-to-head record to depose the Russian.

The 23-year-old is already assured of attaining the best ranking of his career after this week.

A US Open semifinalist in 2024, Draper will rise from 16 in the world to 11 if he wins the Qatar title and 12th as runner-up.


RB Kingmaker claims Al-Mneefah Cup crown in thrilling finish at Saudi Cup meet

RB Kingmaker claims Al-Mneefah Cup crown in thrilling finish at Saudi Cup meet
Updated 22 February 2025
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RB Kingmaker claims Al-Mneefah Cup crown in thrilling finish at Saudi Cup meet

RB Kingmaker claims Al-Mneefah Cup crown in thrilling finish at Saudi Cup meet
  • The grey purebred Arabian delivers a determined performance under Cristian Demuro after several tough defeats in recent months
  • Sees off late challenge from Christophe Soumillon on Nabucco Al Maury, who also made a strong charge but fell just short

RIYADH: RB Kingmaker showcased his class and determination as he claimed victory in the $1.5 million Al-Mneefah Cup, presented by the Ministry of Culture, at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Friday, the opening day of Saudi Cup weekend.

The six-year-old gray purebred Arabian, trained by Helal Alalawi and ridden by jockey Cristian Demuro, surged widest of all in the home stretch, fending off a late challenge from Nabucco Al Maury to win the 2,100 meter contest on turf by a length, in a time of 2 minutes 20.298 seconds. Home hope Asfan Al Khalediah was another half-length back in third.

Breaking from post 12 in a 13-runner field, RB Kingmaker was kept wide throughout the race but finished with a powerful late surge to secure his second career Group 1 victory. His previous top-level win came in February 2024 at the President Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Friday’s win was a triumphant return to form for the horse after a series of tough defeats in recent months, including a runner-up finish to Al Ghadeer in the Qatar Arabian World Cup on Arc Day at ParisLongchamp in October, and a failed defense of his title this month in the The President Cup.

For trainer Alalawi, who heads the National Stables in the UAE, the victory marked a breakthrough after several near-misses in elite company.

“There are no words to tell you how I’m feeling,” said an emotional Alalawi as he reflected on the significance of the win. “To be honest, this has been a dream that has now come true.

“It’s been a hard situation for our stable this season. As you’ve seen, we keep finishing second in the World Cup and third in the Emir’s Sword, and we lost the President Cup in Abu Dhabi. It’s not easy for a local stable like us.

“Today is one of the biggest achievements we have in our career. Cristian executed the race exactly how we asked him to and was perfect. He knows the horse and, as you saw, we saw the real Kingmaker today.”

Demuro, who has ridden RB Kingmaker throughout his career, delivered a perfectly judged ride, anticipating the moves of his rivals before striking late.

“He finished second to Al Ghadeer in the Qatar Arabian World Cup on Arc Day,” Demuro said. “He is not an easy horse but today he had the perfect race.

“I anticipated the moment they would quicken, as I know the Al Khalediah horses. So I always had my eye on them. If you don’t attack, they always get away. I surprised them a little and my horse responded well.

“He is a horse I have always ridden and I know him well. It is fabulous to win this race. It is a Group 1 race and this also opens the doors for Dubai and elsewhere.”

Runner-up Nabucco Al Maury also made a strong late charge but fell just short. Jockey Christophe Soumillon praised his mount’s performance.

“I saw that Cristian was going really easily when we entered the straight and so I rode him to finish second. My horse finished the race really well … and he was very courageous. We are very happy with him,” he said.

RB Kingmaker’s victory cements his place among the top purebred Arabians in the world and opens the door to further elite-level opportunities, with Dubai now a potential next stop for the talented grey.

The two-day Saudi Cup meet concludes on Saturday.


Leicester hit historic low in Brentford rout

Leicester hit historic low in Brentford rout
Updated 22 February 2025
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Leicester hit historic low in Brentford rout

Leicester hit historic low in Brentford rout
  • Leicester made unwanted history as the first team in the Premier League era to lose six successive home games without scoring

LEICESTER, United Kingdom: Leicester’s bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League hit a historic low as Brentford cruised to a 4-0 win at the King Power Stadium on Friday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side would have moved out of the relegation zone with a victory, but instead they remain two points from safety.
Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard all scored for Brentford in a wretched first half for second-bottom Leicester.
Fabio Carvalho netted in the closing stages and the Foxes were booed off after a 10th defeat in their last 11 league games that added to the pressure on the under-fire Van Nistelrooy.
Underlining the depth of their struggles, Leicester made unwanted history as the first team in the Premier League era to lose six successive home games without scoring in any of them.
With just 12 games left to avoid a relegation, Leicester are in severe danger of an immediate return to the Championship.
Enzo Maresca quit to take charge of Chelsea after masterminding Leicester’s promotion last season and the club’s Thai owners have failed to find an adequate replacement for the Italian.
Steve Cooper was sacked after just five months in charge and former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy has fared no better.
Leicester have won just four of their 26 league games this season, with Van Nistelrooy contributing only two of those victories in 15 matches.
Van Nistelrooy was waiting to officially take charge of Leicester when they were thrashed at Brentford while he watched from the stands in November.
If he could be forgiven for the result on that occasion, there were no excuses for the Dutchman this time.
Jamie Vardy needs two goals to reach 200 in all competitions for Leicester and the veteran striker nearly moved closer to that milestone in the opening moments.
Bursting into the Brentford area, Vardy was denied from by Mark Flekken’s fine save.
But Wissa’s 13th goal this season put 10th-placed Brentford ahead at the climax of an eye-catching raid in the 17th minute.
Kevin Schade’s back-heel reached Mikkel Damsgaard on the edge of the area and he clipped a perfect pass toward Wissa, whose close-range strike bounced awkwardly past wrong-footed Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen.
Brentford’s quality on the counter was too much for Van Nistelrooy’s men to handle.
In the 27th minute, Mbeumo took Damsgaard’s pass on the right flank, cut into the area and curled a superb shot into the far corner for his 15th goal this term.
Leicester were in disarray and Norgaard effectively ended the contest after just 32 minutes.
Mbeumo whipped a free-kick into the six-yard box and Leicester were too slow to respond as Norgaard rose to thump his header past Hermansen.
That was the signal for hundreds of disgruntled Leicester fans to head for the exits.
Those that stayed saw Kristoffer Ajer’s effort cannon off the post as Brentford pushed for a fourth.
Thomas Frank’s side rubbed salt into Leicester’s gaping wounds in the 89th minute when Carvalho slotted home from Mbeumo’s pass.