LONDON: The players of Al-Ahli are 10,000 riyals richer after they won their opening AFC Champions League game against Tractor Sazi.
The players of Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal were offered the incentive by Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of the General Sports Authority, for the opening round of matches in the continental competition but while Al-Ahli beat Iran’s Tractor Sazi to land the bonus, with Mohanad Aseri netting the only goal of the match in the 67th minute, last season’s runners-up Al-Hilal could only manage a goalless draw with Al-Ain.
Al-Ahli’s game was played in Oman due to the ongoing political tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Group D matches between Iran’s Esteghlal and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal will also be staged at neutral venues.
Saudi Arabia had not wanted its teams to play in Iran and despite a plea from the Iranian FA to FIFA president Gianni Infantino last week to intervene so they could host the matches, the AFC ordered the games to be played at neutral venues.
In Group A, UAE champions Al-Jazira edged out Qatar’s Al Gharafa 3-2 in Abu Dhabi in a game played out amid a political backdrop.
It was the first time that a club from Qatar had played in the UAE since Qatar was diplomatically and economically isolated by Gulf rivals in June 2017. The game drew 5,000 spectators to the Mohammed ben Zayed Stadium and was played in a relaxed atmosphere.
Romarinho, who previously played for Qatar’s El-Jaish, put Al-Jazira ahead in the 10th minute, but new signing Mehdi Taremi equalized a minute later for Al Gharafa.
UAE star Ali Mabkhout restored the home lead in the 27th minute and Ahmed Al-Attas consolidated it on 69 minutes.
A 71st-minute strike by former Dutch star Wesley Sneijder gave Al Gharafa hope but Al Jazira held on to grab three points.
Al-Ahli players pick up SR10,000 win bonus after AFC Champions League win
Al-Ahli players pick up SR10,000 win bonus after AFC Champions League win
Dubai Basketball stun Greek giants Olympiacos to win in overtime
- The score of 108-98 came in round 26 of EuroLeague and was the 12th victory of their debut season
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball recorded the 12th EuroLeague win of their debut season with a 108-98 overtime thriller against Olympiacos at Coca-Cola Arena.
From the first whistle, Dubai played with intent in front of the 6,500-strong crowd. Defensive pressure, fast breaks and fearless shot-making gave the home side early control, but like all big European basketball nights, the drama was far from over.
Olympiacos battled back, the intensity rose, and a last-second three-pointer sent the game into overtime, briefly silencing the crowd. But supported by one of the strongest home crowds Dubai has seen this season, the team rose to the occasion in the final five minutes.
Dubai Basketball’s head coach, Jurica Golemac, highlighted the importance of the home crowd’s support and said: “It was a very intensive game. A lot of physicality, a lot of energy. We were up and we didn’t lose the passion. We showed character in the end to win this game.
“Real Madrid is in two days. We’re playing at home, and hopefully even more fans will come. That support is very important for us — everyone feels like a family here.”
Dubai responded with composure and authority in the extra period, locking in defensively and moving the ball with confidence to close the game with a statement finish on a night that demanded character.
Mfiondu Kabengele dominated inside with a powerful double-double, while Dwayne Bacon and McKinley Wright delivered when it mattered most. Aleksa Avramovic set the tone early on both ends, and the collective effort once again highlighted Dubai’s growing identity — fearless at home, united under pressure.
With the regular season entering its defining stretch the Coca-Cola Arena continues to be a fortress, and belief around the team continues to grow as the race for the EuroLeague post-season heats up.
The next home game brings one of the most famous teams in the world to the Coca-Cola Arena, when Real Madrid will play Dubai at home for the first time on Thursday, Feb. 5.
