RIYADH: The Saudi Al-Hilal team has officially requested to postpone its scheduled match on Sunday against its Iranian counterpart Shahr Khodro at Al-Janoub Stadium in the Qatari capital, Doha, in the fifth round of group stage of the AFC Champions League football competition.
The club published a statement on its official Twitter account saying it had contacted the AFC to request to postpone its match against the Iranian team after 10 players contracted COVID-19.
The club said it had “caused a major crisis in the team, after the number of players infected with the virus has now reached 15,” according to the statement.
Al-Hilal was looking to qualify for the next round, as they lead the group with 10 points from four matches, compared to seven points for Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor Tashkent and six for the UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli Club club. Shahr Khodro are still without points.
Al-Hilal, who has suffered absences from many players due to coronavirus, needs to obtain only one point in order to qualify for the Round 16, pending the AFC’s response to the Saudi team’s request.
Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal says 10 players infected with COVID-19, requests match postponement
https://arab.news/n6ntt
Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal says 10 players infected with COVID-19, requests match postponement
- Al-Hilal contacted AFC to request postponing Sunday's match against Shahr Khodro
Southampton’s stunning fightback leaves Leicester in turmoil
LONDON: Southampton made an incredible late comeback from three goals down to beat crisis club Leicester 4-3 in the Championship on Tuesday.
Leicester interim manager Andy King looked set for his first victory since taking charge after first-half goals from Divine Mukasa, Patson Daka and Abdul Fatawu at the King Power Stadium.
But Southampton substitute Ross Stewart reduced the deficit in the 61st minute to spark the astonishing revival.
Leicester’s brittle confidence was exposed as Jack Stephens netted in the 82nd minute and Ryan Manning equalized five minutes later.
Shea Charles struck six minutes into stoppage time to snatch the points for Southampton in dramatic fashion, leaving King’s shell-shocked side without a win in six games.
Seven years after thrashing Southampton 9-0 at St. Mary’s, Leicester hit a devastating low of their own against the Saints.
Still searching for a permanent manager following Marti Cifuentes’ sacking, Leicester are outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
The Foxes were recently deducted six points by the Football League for breaches of financial regulations.
Birmingham missed the chance to move into the play-off places after they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Bromwich Albion at St. Andrew’s.
New West Brom boss Eric Ramsay remains winless but claimed a second successive draw to help his side move two points above the relegation zone.
Mohamed Toure hit a hat-trick as Norwich made it five wins from their last six matches with a 3-0 victory at second-bottom Oxford.
