RIYADH: Saudi giants Al Hilal crashed to a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Istiqlol in the Asian Champions League on Saturday, a result that boosted the Tajik side’s chances of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Three-times continental champs Al Hilal had beaten Istiqlol 3-1 on Wednesday but were in for a massive shock in the return.
Russian-born midfielder Manuchekhr Dzhalilov and Manuchehr Safarov each grabbed a brace at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh.
Al Hilal, who last won the tournament in 2019 but were kicked out last year following a spate of coronavirus infections in the squad that left them without enough players, showed early intent on Saturday.
They opened their account through a header from French striker Bafetimbi Gomis in the 34th minute.
But that was the only bright moment for the Saudi side as Dzhalilov struck twice in the span of six minutes to give Istiqlol a 2-1 lead at half-time.
When play resumed, Istiqlol continued to build pressure and it paid off with Safarov taking charge this time.
The 19-year-old defender made it 3-1 in the 49th minute with his intended cross from the right dropping into the goal stunning goalkeeper Abdulla Al-Maiouf.
Safarov completed his double four minutes later with a powerful low shot after receiving a pass from Rustom Soirov to leave the Saudis, who were hugely favored to top Group A, stunned.
In another match, the UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli defeated Uzbekistan’s AGMK 3-1 to join Al Hilal and Istiqlol on seven points and leave Group A wide open.
Only the group winners and three best second-placed teams make the last 16 phase.
Harib Suhail, Carlos Eduardo and Ahmed Hashmi scored for Shabab in the first half while Shohruh Gadoev accounted for AGMK’s only goal of the match.
In Group C, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase with a 2-1 win over Iraq’s Al Shorta.
Abdulrahman Ghareeb’s 79th minute goal clinched three points for the two-time runners-up at their home ground at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, one of the three bio-secure hubs in Saudi Arabia where the west zone matches of the tournament are being played.
Syrian striker Omar Al-Somah had given the Saudis a fifth minute lead, scoring from inside the six-yard box off a Driss Fettouhi corner.
But their joy was short-lived as Fahad Youssef restored parity in the 26th minute after he gathered the ball following a free-kick and blasted it past goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Owais.
After several close chances for both teams, Ghareeb made amends for his miss earlier with a low shot from a pass from Al-Somah to seal Al Ahli’s second victory over the Iraqis, who crashed out of the tournament with their fourth consecutive defeat.
Also in Group C, Qatar’s Al Duhail and Iran’s Esteghlal played out a 2-2 draw at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Michael Olunga, who had scored a hat-trick against Esteghlal three days ago when Al Duhail won 4-3, again excelled for the Qataris.
He scored two goals with the result consolidating his team’s position at the top with eight points.
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Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal stunned by Tajiks in Asian Champions League
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Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal stunned by Tajiks in Asian Champions League
Mayweather to fight Pacquiao in Las Vegas in September
- Manny Pacquiao: ‘Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough — they deserve this rematch’
- Mayweather beat fellow welterweight Pacquiao in their money-spinning 2015 'Fight of the Century,' which generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys but largely failed to live up to the hype
LOS ANGELES: Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will meet in a long-awaited rematch of the highest-grossing clash in boxing history this September at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Netflix announced Monday.
The bout between two of boxing’s biggest names — who famously fought a blockbuster clash in 2015, and are now both in their late forties — comes days after Mayweather announced he is coming out of retirement.
It will be broadcast live September 19 on Netflix, as the global streaming platform increasingly moves into live sports with glitzy one-off events.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough — they deserve this rematch,” said Pacquiao, 47, in a joint statement.
Mayweather beat fellow welterweight Pacquiao in their money-spinning 2015 “Fight of the Century,” which generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys but largely failed to live up to the hype.
Mayweather is believed to have earned an estimated $300 million from the unanimous points victory over the Filipino icon, which remains the most lucrative fight in history and generated more than $600 million revenue.
Former multi-weight world champion Mayweather retired from boxing in 2017, unbeaten in 50 bouts, though he has continued to fight in exhibitions since, including an upcoming clash this spring with Mike Tyson.
Pacquaio, also a multiple world champion, retired for a four-year period from 2021 in which he unsuccessfully ran for the Philippine presidency. He came out of retirement last year.
‘One loss’
Rumors of a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch have circulated for years, and speculation soared following Mayweather’s announcement last week that he would return to the professional arena this year.
“I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result,” said Mayweather, in the statement.
“I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him,” said Pacquiao.
The clash will be the first-ever professional boxing match to take place at Sphere, a venue primarily used for concerts and films which opened in 2023 and features an immersive 160,000-square-foot wraparound screen on its curved interior walls.
It will be shown globally on Netflix, which boasts some 325 million subscribers.
The streamer has recently increased its sports offerings, with a super middleweight clash between Terence Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas last September viewed by 41 million people.
It also aired divisive fights pitting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul against a 58-year-old Tyson in November 2024, and versus Anthony Joshua last December.
Both were criticized for proving to be lackluster contests, but drew enormous global attention.
‘Glory’
Nicknamed “Money,” former multi-weight world champion Mayweather was once the world’s highest-paid athlete. His last professional bout took place in 2017 against UFC star Conor McGregor.
The 48-year-old American has long been a controversial figure, often criticized for an overly defensive style, and accused by some of dodging the most dangerous opponents simply to embellish his record.
Mayweather has also spent time in prison for one of a string of domestic violence incidents.
Pacquaio known at home as “The National Fist” and more broadly as “PacMan,” is an eight-division world champion.
He is beloved in the Philippines for his rags-to-riches story, having dropped out of high school at 14, selling donuts on the roadside and working as a grocery stacker.
Pacquaio, having already served as a Philippines senator from 2016, retired for a four-year period from 2021 in which he tried and failed to win the country’s top political office.
The diminutive southpaw came out of retirement last year. He was held to a draw by Mario Barrios, putting his professional record at 62-8-3.
“As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bringing glory to the Philippines,” said Pacquiao.
The bout between two of boxing’s biggest names — who famously fought a blockbuster clash in 2015, and are now both in their late forties — comes days after Mayweather announced he is coming out of retirement.
It will be broadcast live September 19 on Netflix, as the global streaming platform increasingly moves into live sports with glitzy one-off events.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough — they deserve this rematch,” said Pacquiao, 47, in a joint statement.
Mayweather beat fellow welterweight Pacquiao in their money-spinning 2015 “Fight of the Century,” which generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys but largely failed to live up to the hype.
Mayweather is believed to have earned an estimated $300 million from the unanimous points victory over the Filipino icon, which remains the most lucrative fight in history and generated more than $600 million revenue.
Former multi-weight world champion Mayweather retired from boxing in 2017, unbeaten in 50 bouts, though he has continued to fight in exhibitions since, including an upcoming clash this spring with Mike Tyson.
Pacquaio, also a multiple world champion, retired for a four-year period from 2021 in which he unsuccessfully ran for the Philippine presidency. He came out of retirement last year.
‘One loss’
Rumors of a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch have circulated for years, and speculation soared following Mayweather’s announcement last week that he would return to the professional arena this year.
“I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result,” said Mayweather, in the statement.
“I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him,” said Pacquiao.
The clash will be the first-ever professional boxing match to take place at Sphere, a venue primarily used for concerts and films which opened in 2023 and features an immersive 160,000-square-foot wraparound screen on its curved interior walls.
It will be shown globally on Netflix, which boasts some 325 million subscribers.
The streamer has recently increased its sports offerings, with a super middleweight clash between Terence Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Las Vegas last September viewed by 41 million people.
It also aired divisive fights pitting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul against a 58-year-old Tyson in November 2024, and versus Anthony Joshua last December.
Both were criticized for proving to be lackluster contests, but drew enormous global attention.
‘Glory’
Nicknamed “Money,” former multi-weight world champion Mayweather was once the world’s highest-paid athlete. His last professional bout took place in 2017 against UFC star Conor McGregor.
The 48-year-old American has long been a controversial figure, often criticized for an overly defensive style, and accused by some of dodging the most dangerous opponents simply to embellish his record.
Mayweather has also spent time in prison for one of a string of domestic violence incidents.
Pacquaio known at home as “The National Fist” and more broadly as “PacMan,” is an eight-division world champion.
He is beloved in the Philippines for his rags-to-riches story, having dropped out of high school at 14, selling donuts on the roadside and working as a grocery stacker.
Pacquaio, having already served as a Philippines senator from 2016, retired for a four-year period from 2021 in which he tried and failed to win the country’s top political office.
The diminutive southpaw came out of retirement last year. He was held to a draw by Mario Barrios, putting his professional record at 62-8-3.
“As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bringing glory to the Philippines,” said Pacquiao.
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