Saudi U-23 squad continues preparations for Tokyo Olympics with friendly against Mexico

Turki Al-Ammar of the Saudi U-23 squad showcasing his skills at the squad's training camp in Marbella. (Arriyadiyah)
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Updated 07 June 2021
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Saudi U-23 squad continues preparations for Tokyo Olympics with friendly against Mexico

  • Latest test for Olympic football team part of training camp in Marbella ahead of Tokyo 2020

RIYADH: The Saudi under-23 Olympic football squad was set to step up its preparations for Tokyo 2020 with a friendly match against Mexico on Tuesday, part of a training camp currently taking place in Marbella, Spain.

The camp, the fourth phase of a program schedule for the Tokyo Games starting in late July, will continue until June 15.

Players have been carrying out remedial exercises under the supervision of head coach Saad Al-Shehri and his staff and on Monday will finalize their preparations for the friendly.

In Tokyo, the Saudi U-23 team will be joined in Group D by football powerhouses Brazil, Germany, and Ivory Coast.

The players were also given some rest time by Al-Shehri, during which they enjoyed five hours at the port of Puerto Banus, southwest of Marbella.

The squad spent their break period visiting shops and restaurants in a city well-known for attracting celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, art, sport, and politics and which draws in more than 5 million visitors annually.


Sabalenka, Swiatek withdraw from WTA 1000 event in Dubai

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Sabalenka, Swiatek withdraw from WTA 1000 event in Dubai

  • Aryna Sabalenka has not played since losing the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina last month
  • Iga Swiatek was in action this week in Doha but failed in her bid for a fourth Qatar Open title
PARIS: Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, the world’s top two players, have both pulled out of next week’s WTA 1000 event in Dubai, tournament organizers announced.
Sabalenka has not played since losing the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina last month.
“I’m really sorry I have to withdraw from Dubai,” said the Belarusian in a statement released by organizers on Friday.
“I have such a special connection with the tournament, the fans and the city. Unfortunately, I am not feeling 100 percent. But I hope to be back next year and wish the tournament a great event.”
Swiatek was in action this week in Doha but failed in her bid for a fourth Qatar Open title, losing to Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals.
“I am sorry to announce that I will not be playing Dubai this year due to a change of schedule,” said the six-time Grand Slam champion.
The first round in Dubai gets under way on Sunday.