LONDON: If there was a theme coming into the match it was one of redemption.
The Green Falcons were aiming to put in a performance and achieve a result that would prove their 5-0 horror show against Russia on the opening day was an aberration. For Egypt it was a chance to register their first-ever World Cup win and get over poor defeats to Uruguay and Russia.
Ultimately, while a draw in Volgograd would have been a fair result, if either side deserved the atonement they sought, it was Saudi Arabia — Salem Al-Dawsari’s well-worked goal earning the side’s first World Cup win since 1994.
The Green Falcons dominated possession, without ever creating much — a familiar failing in Russia — but against the more fancied Egyptians, they more than proved they deserved their place at the tournament.
The Pharaohs came into the tournament very hopeful of not only registering their first victory but also of getting out of the group. They also, however, arrived in Russia with the Mohamed Salah circus in full swing. There is little doubt that the “will he, won’t he play” sideshow affected the team. Having sat out the 1-0 defeat to Uruguay, he got on the pitch against Russia but it was clear he was not match fit.
But while there were questions about how the side handled the Salah situation, there was never any doubting his ability and mantle as one of the best players in the world. He reminded everyone of this with a sublime goal after 22 minutes. Saudi Arabia lost the ball in midfield, a hopeful long ball found Salah who, having got in behind the Saudi Arabia defense, took a brilliant first touch before lobbing Yasser Al-Mosailem in the Green Falcons’ goal with his second. In one fell swoop he reminded everyone why even when half fit he is still head and shoulders above most, not least in a match lacking in top-class quality.
He should have had another two minutes later, but chipped wide with just the keeper to beat.
Before the Salah show got started the Green Falcons had shown promise, Al-Dawsari in particular looking lively. But if there was a fault it was a familiar one: The side lacked any real cutting edge.
So it was no shock that their first gilt-edged chance came from the penalty spot. It was a harsh penalty, a Yasser Al-Shahrani cross striking the arm of Ahmed Fathy, but having made history by becoming the oldest ever player at the World Cup — aged 45 years five months and 12 days — Essam El-Hadary then made a great save, diving to his right to prevent Fahad Al-Muwallad from getting his side back in the contest. Just minutes later, however, Saudi Arabia had another chance to score from 12 yards — Al-Muwallad falling after a tug on his shirt by Ali Gabr. Salman Al-Faraj took the kick this time and made no mistake.
A draw at the break was, on balance, a fair scoreline. The second period lacked the intensity of of the first. El-Hadary continued to roll back the years making two fine saves in quick succession to frustrate Saudi Arabia. He pushed Housain Al-Mogahwi’s header over the bar and from the corner he beat away an effort from Muhannad Assiri.
The match was meandering to a draw until Al-Dawsari’s late strike, an angled low finish after good work from Abdullah Otayf, securing the win and atonement Saudi Arabia so badly wanted.
Sweet Salem Al-Dawsari strike gifts last-gasp win for Saudi Arabia over Egypt in Volgograd
Sweet Salem Al-Dawsari strike gifts last-gasp win for Saudi Arabia over Egypt in Volgograd
Undefeated heavyweight opens up about tough training under Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of PFL Dubai bout
- Khabib Nabiev reveals that training under namesake and former UFC champion leaves him with no energy even ‘to smile’
DUBAI: Undefeated light heavyweight Khabib Nabiev says the training under former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is so demanding that fighters leave the gym without the energy “to smile.”
The 11-0 Russian will face Ahmed Sami at PFL Dubai on Feb. 7 at the Coca-Cola Arena. Speaking at a recent press conference in Dubai, Nabiev painted a vivid picture of the physical and mental toll extracted by his coach.
“He pressures so much that you are in a condition that you already tired, but he just asks you to keep continuing, keep pushing yourself to the high limit,” Nabiev explained.
“Which really lets you leave the gym without even (a) smile because there’s no energy to smile. There’s no like muscle left, you know, to smile. So that’s the level of pressure.”
The 25-year-old fighter trains at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Martial Arts School in Dagestan, the legendary facility founded by the former UFC champion’s late father.
The training camp in the UAE for his upcoming fight started three weeks ago and nearly broke the fighters involved. “It was a big pressure from Khabib’s side especially,” Nabiev said. “It was like it was a level like almost we broke, but you know, we kept continuing and training this one.”
Nabiev described training sessions where the limits constantly shift beyond what seems humanly possible.
“There is a point of like when you feel that, okay, we have to stop, we’re done, but he still asks you, okay, we have to do five rounds of wrestling and then you have to do the, you know, the push-ups and pull-ups and all that,” he said.
“So there’s never (a) limit.”
The fighter’s three-month preparation was split across multiple locations. The team began in the mountains of Dagestan for sparring work before moving to Makhachkala to continue training.
The final phase took place in the UAE under the guidance of both Nurmagomedov and Javier Mendez, the renowned American Kickboxing Academy coach.
“One month over in Dagestan, like in mountains, sparring. Second month we trained here under the guidance of Khabib as well as Javier Mendez. So no injuries, we’re all good,” Nabiev said.
When asked if fighters can ever negotiate with their coach, Nabiev was clear. “Can anyone ever say hi, but it doesn’t work. He says no,” the fighter said, adding with a touch of humor that those who do not want to work are told they can leave.
This aligns with Nurmagomedov’s public statements about his coaching philosophy. “At the gym, when we start our sessions, there’s no room for freedom of speech,” he said at the World Sports Summit in January.
“Everyone must follow my instructions if I’m their coach.”
Nabiev has five submission victories and four knockouts, demonstrating a well-rounded finishing ability. He has competed primarily for UAE Warriors and Eagle FC, earning his last three victories via submission.
His most recent performance came in January 2025 when he submitted Dhouglas Ribeiro with an arm-triangle choke in the second round at UAE Warriors 57.
His opponent Sami brings a 12-4 record to the cage with six knockouts and three submissions. The Egyptian fighter from Cairo earned his spot on the card with a first-round TKO victory over Tarek Suleiman at a PFL event in January 2025.
The fight takes place on the preliminary card beginning at 9 a.m. UAE, with the main card featuring PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defending his title against Alfie Davis. The event marks the third PFL show in Dubai and will stream on the ESPN app in the US.
