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JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 to Japan in Jeddah on Thursday, their first defeat in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Japan had scored 12 goals without reply in their opening two games in the group, and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada gave them an early lead in this one. The home team, roared on by a passionate crowd of more than 56,000 at King Abdullah Sports City, did their best to get back on level terms but it was beyond them, and a late goal from Koki Ogawa sealed the win for the Samurai Blue.
The focus of the Green Falcons now switches to Tuesday’s clash with Bahrain at the same stadium and it could prove to be a very important one.
Japan lead Group C and are the only team out 18 in the three groups with a maximum 9 points after three games. The Saudis are level with Australia and Bahrain on 4 points, one more than fifth-place Indonesia. China are bottom of the group after three straight defeats. The top two from each of the three groups qualify directly for the World Cup, while the teams that finish third and fourth advance to a fourth round of qualification.
Already trailing Japan by 5 points, Saudi Arabia are now, as many suspected would be the case, most probably fighting for the second automatic qualification spot. It is shaping up to be an intense battle that will be far from easy for a team that has yet to score a goal from open play in more 270 minutes of third-round action. This lack of a creative spark going forward is sure to be a concern for coach Roberto Mancini.
There were few surprises in the Italian’s squad on Thursday, with Firas Al-Buraikan starting up front and Ahmed Al-Kassar stepping in to pull on the goalkeeping gloves in place of injured Mohammed Al-Owais.
Japan looked lively from the off but Mancini will surely consider the opening goal, which came after 14 minutes, to have been cheaply conceded. Ritsu Doan crossed from the right, Kaoru Mitoma knocked the ball into the middle, it was headed toward goal by Hidemasi Morita, and Kamada was able to nip in front of Abdulelah Al-Malki and stab it home from close range.
It was the first goal Japan had ever scored in the Kingdom and the threats kept coming. Soon after, Ayase Ueda shot just wide, while the Saudis just could not get going in the face of the impressive visitors.
The Green Falcons did manage a flurry of shots just before the half-hour mark but all were blocked by the men in white. Soon after, some crosses into the area caused a few problems for Japan, perhaps not surprisingly given that both Saudi goals in last month’s 2-1 win in China came from corners, as did the goal in their 1-1 draw with Indonesia five days earlier.
The home side seemed like they might finally be getting on top, and their first shot on target came just three minutes before the break. Salem Al-Dawsari ran at the defense and the ball spilled to the right, where a fierce shot from Saud Abdulhamid looked destined for the top corner but was pushed over by the suddenly under pressure Zion Suzuki.
Japan remained dangerous on the break, however, and after a smart turn outside the area Ueda’s shot was well-saved by Al-Kassar in what was the last action of the first half.
Mancini brought on Al-Itthad’s Saleh Al-Shehri for the restart, in the hope that the forward might make something happen in front of goal. But Japan remained disciplined and well-organized and it was difficult to create clear chances.
The Saudis were similarly making it hard for Japan to create openings and so it looked increasingly likely that if there was to be another goal it would come from a set piece. This proved to be the case and when Ogawa, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, headed home powerfully from a corner with nine minutes remaining, it was as good as game over.
There was no coming back from that, although Al-Shehri did have the hosts’ best chance of the game in the 89th minute when he headed just over from close range.
There is now a lot of work for Mancini and his players to do if they are going to qualify automatically for a seventh World Cup finals.
MULTAN: England’s bowlers, led by spinner Jack Leach, tore through the Pakistan line-up to secure victory in the first Test in Multan on Friday after a record partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root turned the match on its head.
England’s attack made short work of the last four Pakistan batters on Day 5, dismissing the hosts for 200 to win by an innings and 47 runs and draw first blood in the three-match series.
The win is England’s fourth consecutive Test triumph on Pakistan soil, after a 3-0 whitewash two years ago. England had only won two away Tests against Pakistan in the previous 61 years.
Leach marshalled England’s attack with 4-30, and provided the first breakthrough on the fifth day when he dislodged Salman Agha for a fighting 63.
It ended Pakistan’s only meaningful partnership.
Pakistan were in danger of losing the match a day early when Salman and Aamer Jamal came together with the score on 82-6.
But the duo saw out the remainder of play and made England wait another 12 overs on the final day — adding 109 — before Leach struck to open the floodgates.
Leach then took a smart return catch to get Shaheen Shah Afridi for ten and then had Naseem Shah stumped for six, wrapping up Pakistan’s second innings.
Last man Abrar Ahmed was unable to bat after being taken to hospital with a high fever.
Ollie Pope, standing in for injured skipper Ben Stokes, was full of praise for Brook and Root’s heroics.
“Credit to them for the skills and determination to put the team in a winning position,” he said.
Brook smashed 317 and Root a record-setting 262 in England’s mammoth 823-7 declared, giving the visitors a 267-run lead.
Their 454, England’s highest-ever partnership for any wicket in Test cricket, gave the visitors an improbable advantage after Pakistan’s impressive 556 first-innings total.
But by close of play on the fourth day on a lifeless pitch, England had posted the fourth-highest Test innings total of 823-7 and taken total control of the match with the hosts teetering at 152-6.
Along the way, Root became the highest run scorer for England in Test history.
Pope was also pleased by the grit shown by England’s inexperienced attack.
“Our bowlers got the odd ball to reverse and spin,” he said of Gus Atkinson who took 2-46 and debutant Brydon Carse who finished with 2-66.
The loss continues a painful losing stretch for Pakistan and will compound the pressure on captain Shan Masood.
His tenure has begun with six consecutive defeats, including three in Australia and two at home at the hands of Bangladesh.
“It can’t be more disappointing than this,” said Masood. “Harsh reality is that England found a way to win after two days under the sun and 556 behind.
“Then they batted big and when they came back with the ball they had a plan and created a window of opportunity in the second innings so the harsh reality in Test cricket is no matter what the pitch quality side finds a way to win.”
Pakistan’s collapse marked a quick turnaround to the match after a flat Multan stadium pitch saw 1,379 runs scored for the loss of just 17 wickets.
The hosts have gone 11 Tests without a win on home grounds, their last win against South Africa came in February 2021.
The second Test starts at the same venue from Tuesday while the third is in Rawalpindi from October 24.
RIYADH: ESL FACEIT Group has announced the launch of the ESL Saudi Challenge, the first-ever ESL tournament exclusively for the Saudi gaming community.
Starting on Oct. 18 with Overwatch 2 as the featured game, the event will provide a unique opportunity for local talent to compete on the global stage.
Running until Dec. 7, it will see Saudi’s top teams battle for a share of a $20,000 prize pool. The competition begins with three open tournaments hosted on the FACEIT platform, with the top two teams from each securing a playoff place. These will join two invited teams in an intense double-elimination showdown, culminating in a thrilling final at VOV Gaming in Riyadh.
“The ESL Saudi Challenge is more than just a tournament — it’s the beginning of a new chapter for esports in Saudi Arabia,” said Franck Guignery, ESL FACEIT Group’s senior vice president for the Middle East & Africa region.
“By featuring Overwatch 2 and providing a pathway to international competition, we’re offering Saudi esports enthusiasts a chance to showcase their skills on a global stage. Whether you’re an aspiring esports player, a professional player or a fan, this is your chance to be part of the action and witness the rise of local talent.”
ESL FACEIT Group is the world’s largest esports and video game entertainment company. In January 2022 it was acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group, which is 100 percent owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund, for $1.5 billion. ESL FACEIT Group has been appointed the main official operating partner of the Esports World Cup for the next five years.
ABU DHABI: Round four of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Gi Championship at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah will have 2,200 male and female athletes participating, the organizers have confirmed.
The event, which started today and ends on Oct. 13, will have clubs and academies from across the UAE seeking to earn points as they vie for the title ahead of December’s final round in Abu Dhabi.
Mohamed Hussain Al-Marzooqi, director of marketing and corporate communications at the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation, said the event has become a major competition to find new talent in a “top-level environment.”
He thanked the country’s leadership for supporting the sport. “What makes this championship special is that it takes place in various parts of the country, providing audiences with a unique experience, allowing families to attend and support their children, (and) celebrating their accomplishments together.”
Zayed Al-Kaabi, the coach of Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, echoed these sentiments. “The year-round events provide us with opportunities to win more medals and titles, strengthening the club’s standing, and we’re aiming to secure the championship title as the final round approaches.
“This championship also helps ensure our athletes are prepared for regional and international competitions, while keeping them fit and continuously developing.
“It’s especially important because it occurs just weeks before the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the biggest event in the sport worldwide.”
Zayed Alrefaei of Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club, who is competing in the youth 46 kg category, said: “I’m excited for the championship to begin. I’ve performed well in the previous rounds and feel fully prepared to (ensure) a stellar performance this time around too.
“I’ve trained hard, focusing on improving my skills and adding new tactics to my approach. My goal is to finish my matches quickly with submissions to save energy for the later rounds.”
SAO PAULO: An 89th-minute goal by substitute Luiz Henrique gave Brazil a 2-1 away win over Chile on Thursday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Junior’s team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying.
Earlier, Lionel Messi’s Argentina drew with Venezuela 1-1 in a match that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in the Venezuelan city of Maturin.
Argentina, who lead the 10-team competition, have 19 points after nine matches. Colombia, with 16 points, remain in second place after losing 1-0 at Bolivia. Uruguay are third with 15 points and have a chance to add more in a match against Peru on Friday. Brazil have 13 points.
Argentina’s lead in the competition could be reduced on Friday if Uruguay win at Peru.
Brazil in dramatic comeback
Chile, one of the worst-performing teams in South American qualifying, opened the scoring seconds after the kickoff at the National Stadium in Santiago. Veteran striker Eduardo Vargas headed past goalkeeper Ederson, with the ball gently touching the back of the net.
Brazil struggled to create clear chances, but managed to equalize in added time with a header by their new striker, Igor Jesus. The visitors kept most of the ball possession in the second half, but still failed to get clear chances.
Only in the final minutes, Henrique decided to take his chances from the edge of the box. The winning goal made several Chile players throw themselves to the ground in anguish.
Brazil’s next match will be against Peru in Brasilia. Chile will travel to Colombia.
“This shirt means a lot. It is a great feeling for us to wear it. We know what is happening, but we wanted to change it,” said Henrique. ”Our fans can be sure we will fight always for this team. We are the only five-time World Cup champions, we will play with passion.”
Messi returns for Argentina
Defender Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 13th minute. He pushed the ball to the empty net after a cross by Messi and a mistake by goalkeeper Rafael Romo.
Salomon Rondón equalized in the 65th minute with a header for the only South American team that has yet to play in a World Cup.
“The pitch did not help us do what we wanted to do,” said Messi, who returned to the national team after missing the two previous rounds of South American qualifying due to ligament damage in his right ankle.
Venezuela defender Jon Aramburu said his team wanted a win to show its ambition.
“The rain affected the match, we couldn’t play well,” he said. “We drew against a team that everyone knows of its potential. But this team is here to beat them, to compete.”
Venezuela’s next match will be at Paraguay on Tuesday, the same day that Argentina will host Bolivia.
Bolivia in the clouds to beat Colombia
Colombia, who had been the last unbeaten team in South American qualifying, were shocked at Bolivia in the Municipal Stadium in the city of El Alto, more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level. Bolivia moved into fifth place with 12 points after its first win in 21 years against the Colombians.
Miguel Terceros, also known as Miguelito, scored the winning goal for Bolivia in the 58th minute with a powerful shot after dribbling through two defenders.
Bolivia had lost Hector Cuellar to a straight red card in the 21st minute after a gruesome tackle that forced the substitution of striker Roger Martinez, but the team remained competitive until the end of the match in its high-altitude stadium.
“We are a young team that wants to change history,” Terceros said. “Now we will travel to Argentina thinking about winning.”
Bolivia hasn’t qualified for a World Cup edition since the 1994 edition in the United States.
Also on Thursday, Ecuador and Paraguay drew 0-0.
The Ecuadorians are in fourth place with 12 points and ahead of Bolivia on goal difference. Paraguay is in eighth place and out of an automatic qualifying spot with 10 points.
SAO PAULO: An 89th-minute goal by substitute Luiz Henrique gave Brazil a 2-1 away win over Chile on Thursday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Junior’s team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying.
Earlier, Lionel Messi’s Argentina drew with Venezuela 1-1 in a match that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in the Venezuelan city of Maturin.
Argentina, who lead the 10-team competition, have 19 points after nine matches. Colombia, with 16 points, remain in second place after losing 1-0 at Bolivia. Uruguay are third with 15 points and have a chance to add more in a match against Peru on Friday. Brazil have 13 points.
Argentina’s lead in the competition could be reduced on Friday if Uruguay win at Peru.
Brazil in dramatic comeback
Chile, one of the worst-performing teams in South American qualifying, opened the scoring seconds after the kickoff at the National Stadium in Santiago. Veteran striker Eduardo Vargas headed past goalkeeper Ederson, with the ball gently touching the back of the net.
Brazil struggled to create clear chances, but managed to equalize in added time with a header by their new striker, Igor Jesus. The visitors kept most of the ball possession in the second half, but still failed to get clear chances.
Only in the final minutes, Henrique decided to take his chances from the edge of the box. The winning goal made several Chile players throw themselves to the ground in anguish.
Brazil’s next match will be against Peru in Brasilia. Chile will travel to Colombia.
“This shirt means a lot. It is a great feeling for us to wear it. We know what is happening, but we wanted to change it,” said Henrique. ”Our fans can be sure we will fight always for this team. We are the only five-time World Cup champions, we will play with passion.”
Messi returns for Argentina
Defender Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 13th minute. He pushed the ball to the empty net after a cross by Messi and a mistake by goalkeeper Rafael Romo.
Salomon Rondón equalized in the 65th minute with a header for the only South American team that has yet to play in a World Cup.
“The pitch did not help us do what we wanted to do,” said Messi, who returned to the national team after missing the two previous rounds of South American qualifying due to ligament damage in his right ankle.
Venezuela defender Jon Aramburu said his team wanted a win to show its ambition.
“The rain affected the match, we couldn’t play well,” he said. “We drew against a team that everyone knows of its potential. But this team is here to beat them, to compete.”
Venezuela’s next match will be at Paraguay on Tuesday, the same day that Argentina will host Bolivia.
Bolivia in the clouds to beat Colombia
Colombia, who had been the last unbeaten team in South American qualifying, were shocked at Bolivia in the Municipal Stadium in the city of El Alto, more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level. Bolivia moved into fifth place with 12 points after its first win in 21 years against the Colombians.
Miguel Terceros, also known as Miguelito, scored the winning goal for Bolivia in the 58th minute with a powerful shot after dribbling through two defenders.
Bolivia had lost Hector Cuellar to a straight red card in the 21st minute after a gruesome tackle that forced the substitution of striker Roger Martinez, but the team remained competitive until the end of the match in its high-altitude stadium.
“We are a young team that wants to change history,” Terceros said. “Now we will travel to Argentina thinking about winning.”
Bolivia hasn’t qualified for a World Cup edition since the 1994 edition in the United States.
Also on Thursday, Ecuador and Paraguay drew 0-0.
The Ecuadorians are in fourth place with 12 points and ahead of Bolivia on goal difference. Paraguay is in eighth place and out of an automatic qualifying spot with 10 points.
