Solomon plays super-sub again as Fulham rescue Wolves draw

Fulham's Manor Solomon (R) shoots to score their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage in London on Feb. 24, 2023. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 25 February 2023
Follow

Solomon plays super-sub again as Fulham rescue Wolves draw

  • Relegation candidates at the start of the campaign, sixth-placed Fulham have been one of the season’s biggest surprises
  • They remain firmly in contention to qualify for the Europa League

LONDON: Manor Solomon extended his hot streak as the Fulham forward came off the bench to rescue a 1-1 draw against Wolves in Friday’s Premier League clash.

Marco Silva’s side trailed to Pablo Sarabia’s first goal in five appearances for Wolves since his January move from Paris Saint Germain.

But Israel international Solomon netted after halftime to stretch Fulham’s unbeaten run in the league to four matches.

Solomon made a quiet start after joining Fulham on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk last year, but the 23-year-old now has three goals in his last three appearances.

Solomon is the first Israeli player to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances since Liverpool’s Ronny Rosenthal in 1992.

“It’s not for sure that he will start next time. He doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs yet,” Silva said of Solomon.

“He has been really important but let’s hope he continues doing it.”

Tipped as relegation candidates at the start of the campaign, sixth-placed Fulham have been one of the season’s biggest surprises and they remain firmly in contention to qualify for the Europa League.

“We have to prove our quality on the pitch. Of course I’m proud of my players and our position in the table,” Silva said.

Wolves were bottom of the table going into the World Cup break, but have lifted themselves out of the relegation zone.

Julen Lopetegui’s 15th-placed side are four points clear of the bottom three.

“We have the need to get a lot of points to stay out of relegation. It’s going to be a hard task but we have one more (point) today,” Lopetegui said.

After a scrappy opening, Wolves took the lead from the first serious chance for either team in the 23rd minute.

Raul Jimenez guided a deft header back to Sarabia and the Spanish midfielder controlled with his left foot before using his right to drive a clinical finish into the far corner from eight yards.

Ruben Neves should have doubled Wolves’ lead when the Portugal midfielder headed wide from Matheus Nunes’ cross.

Andreas Pereira was inches away from equalising in spectacular style on the stroke of halftime as Jose Sa tipped over the Fulham midfielder’s 30-yard free-kick.

Jimenez nodded just wide from Sarabia’s cross before Wolves forward Matheus Cunha was stretchered off after lengthy treatment following a seemingly innocuous challenge.

Solomon has been in fine form of late, coming off the bench to net the winner against Brighton last weekend.

Reprising his super-sub role after coming on at half-time on this occasion, Solomon equalized in the 64th minute with a superb curler that arrowed into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Chasing a winner, a Fulham penalty appeal was rejected after a VAR check when Joao Palhinha went down under an apparent push from Mario Lemina.

Sa preserved Wolves’ point deep into stoppage-time when he plunged to his right to keep out Carlos Vinicius’s towering header.


Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan added to basketball’s FIBA 3x3 World Tour

Updated 14 min 48 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan added to basketball’s FIBA 3x3 World Tour

  • 13th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour — the top competition on the 3x3 pro circuit — will take place in 18 cities around the world
  • 3x3 will be part of the NEOM Beach Games, a major international sports event in the heart of the city

The International Basketball Federation has announced Almaty (Kazakhstan) and NEOM (Saudi Arabia) as the latest additions to the 3x3 World Tour.

The 13th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour — the top competition on the 3x3 pro circuit — will take place in 18 cities around the world.

Almaty will host the first-ever visit of the World Tour to Kazakhstan, while NEOM, in hosting the event for the first time, will build upon its established track record of holding a Super Quest in 2022 then a Challenger in 2023.

3x3 will be part of the NEOM Beach Games, a major international sports event in the heart of the city.

Updated 2024 season:

Utsunomiya Opener (April 27-28)
Marseille Masters (May 31-June 1)
Ulaanbaatar Masters (June 8-9)
Chengdu Masters (June 22-23)
Edmonton Masters (July 6-7)
Almaty Masters (July 13-14)
Lausanne Masters (Aug. 16-17)
Debrecen Masters (Aug. 31-Sept. 1)
Shanghai Masters (Sept. 21-22)
Wuxi Masters (Oct. 6-7)
Amsterdam Masters (Oct. 12-13)
Macau Masters (Oct. 19-20)
Abu Dhabi Masters (Oct. 26-27)
Manama Masters (Nov. 1-2)
NEOM Masters (Nov. 7-9)
Shenzhen Masters (Nov. 16-17)
Hong Kong Masters (Nov. 23-24)
World Tour Final (December)

The location and dates of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final will be announced at a later stage.


China to host 2025 Saudi Super Cup, attracting global football stars

Al Hilal's Salem Al Dawsari lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Saudi Super Cup final in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
Updated 29 April 2024
Follow

China to host 2025 Saudi Super Cup, attracting global football stars

  • Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner
  • Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr

Riyadh: In a significant move for Saudi football, China is set to host the Saudi Super Cup 2025 tournament from Aug. 14 -17, according to the sports daily Arriyadiyah, a sister publication of Arab News.

Reports suggest that the decision to award China the hosting rights came after intense competition, particularly from Emirati and Qatari contenders. Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner. Additionally, Saudi officials are keen to relocate the tournament away from the Gulf region, aiming to engage a broader global audience and promote Saudi football.

One of the driving factors behind China’s successful bid is the presence of renowned international football stars in Saudi teams, contributing to their widespread popularity. Leading figures like Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr, Neymar Jr. representing Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, and Firmino, captain of Al-Ahli, add considerable allure to the competition.

The previous edition, held in Abu Dhabi, saw Al-Hilal clinch victory over their rivals Al-Nassr with a 2-1 scoreline.

Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, based on their performance in the Saudi Pro League, known as the Roshn Saudi League. However, the participants from the King’s Cup, as well as its runner-up, are yet to be determined.

In recent Roshn League action, the Yellow Team, Al-Nassr, secured their place in the Super Cup by defeating hosts Al-Khaleej with a solitary goal. This victory propelled them to 71 points, firmly securing their second-place standing, a position out of reach for Al-Ahli, currently in third with 52 points and six matches remaining. Even with a perfect score, Al-Ahli would fall short of overtaking Al-Nassr, who, despite potential losses in their remaining fixtures, maintain a comfortable lead.

The Blue Team, Al-Hilal, who still need seven points to conclude their league campaign, have also booked their spot in the Super Cup. The tournament’s semifinals will feature clashes between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, as well as Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej.

Both Al-Khaleej and Al-Ittihad will vie for a spot in the final, eyeing the opportunity to secure one of the two coveted slots in the Super Cup. 

In the event that both teams fail to progress and the finalists emerge from the capital’s rivalry — Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr — Super Cup regulations dictate that the available slots will be awarded to the third and fourth-placed teams in the Roshn League standings.

Should only one of the capital’s teams advance to the cup final, they will automatically claim their Super Cup berth, either as champions or runners-up, with the remaining slot going to the third-placed team in the league.


Moroccan World Cup star Amallah enjoying La Liga life with Valencia

Updated 29 April 2024
Follow

Moroccan World Cup star Amallah enjoying La Liga life with Valencia

  • Before his club’s trip to Barcelona, the midfielder spoke to Arab News about playing in Spain, his country’s World Cup heroics and Arab players in Europe

VALENCIA: At international and club level, the past few years have been pretty memorable for Valencia and Morocco star Selim Amallah.

The 27-year-old joined the La Liga team on loan from Segunda Division club Real Valladolid in the summer of 2023, having been part of the Moroccan squad that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

On Monday night the Belgian-born midfielder will be part of the Valencia team, currently eighth in La Liga and led by club legend Ruben Baraja, that will take on Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys.

Amallah is delighted with the way things have worked out for him.

“I’m thrilled to be playing in Spain because it’s one of the best leagues globally,” Amallah, fresh from a practice session at Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, Valencia’s state-of-the-art training complex, told Arab News.

“It’s a league I wanted to play in and I've succeeded,” he said. “I anticipated more playing time initially,” he added. “I recognize the invaluable learning experience this season has offered. Frankly, I’m very happy to be here.”

While historically many players from North Africa have thrived in La Liga and other European leagues, very few from the Middle East or Gulf states have even attempted to make that leap.

Amallah feels more Arab players should make that move, not just to experience new sporting challenges and cultures, but primarily to succeed as professionals on the pitch.

“Yes, of course, I believe making history in a championship or for your country is something you aspire to achieve, and it’s one of my goals,” he said.

Without question the highlight of Ramallah’s career to date was Morocco’s incredible march to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Along the way, the Atlas Lions defeated Spain and Portugal, before losing out to France, who were defending world champions.

“It was truly incredible,” said Amallah. “These are memories that I believe will last forever. None of us expected to reach such a remarkable level. We also demonstrated that Moroccan players and our clubs can compete at the highest levels of football. We take immense pride in representing our country.”

Part of the experience in Qatar was the overwhelming support that teams from Arab countries received, with members of various communities uniting to support the regional teams.

“It was an immense source of pride, as our support extended beyond just the Moroccan people to encompass all Muslim communities,” said Amallah. “We took great pride in demonstrating the significant presence of Muslims in football, proving our ability to not only inspire pride among Moroccans but also among the entire Arab and African world through our dedication on the field.”

After the euphoria of Qatar 2022, there was more good news for Morocco when the country was named co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

But before the football world showpiece, Amallah said that he and his colleagues will be eyeing more success on the pitch.

“I believe there’s still more for us to prove and demonstrate that Morocco remains a force to be reckoned with,” he said. “We have an exceptional team with talented players, and while the expectations may have risen, we’re determined to rise to the occasion and give our all to represent our country.”


Paul Hughes set for Bellator debut in Dublin

Updated 29 April 2024
Follow

Paul Hughes set for Bellator debut in Dublin

  • ‘Big News’ Hughes first Bellator appearance will be against Hawaii’s Bobby King, Saudi-backed PFL announces
  • Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson defends title against undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov

NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced that Ireland’s Paul Hughes (11-1) will make his promotional debut against Hawaii’s Bobby King (12-6) in a Lightweight bout on Saturday, June 22 at Bellator Champions Series at 3Arena in Dublin.

Bellator Champions Series Dublin is headlined by Welterweight World Champion Jason Jackson (18-4) facing undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0), and the stacked fight card also features a Women’s Featherweight clash between two former title challengers, when Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) takes on Australia’s Arlene Blencowe (15-10).

A Bantamweight No. 1 contender matchup is also on the docket, as Kasum Kasumov (15-1) of Russia goes toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Matheus Mattos (14-2-1). At Middleweight, undefeated Hungarian Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) will look to remain undefeated when he faces American Top Team’s Dalton Rosta (8-1). A previously announced contest pitting Peter Queally against Yancy Medeiros has been scrapped from the card.

At 27 years old, Hughes accomplished everything possible on the regional stage before entering free agency, and was sought after by every major mixed martial arts promotion on the planet before choosing to join PFL. A former Cage Warriors Featherweight champion prior to making the leap to Lightweight, Hughes has won eight of his 11 professional wins via stoppage and now will try his hand against Bobby King when he competes on June 22.

A six-fight veteran of Bellator, King proudly hails from Hawaii and has faced some of the toughest tests Bellator’s Lightweight division has to offer, facing names the likes of Alexander Shabliy and Gadzhi Rabadanov.

The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows:

- Friday, May 17 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — Accor Arena

- Saturday, June 22 — Bellator Champions Series Dublin — 3Arena

- Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bellator Champions Series San Diego — Pechanga Arena

- Saturday, Sept. 14 — Bellator Champions Series London — OVO Wembley

- Saturday, Oct. 12 — Bellator Champions Series Chicago — Wintrust Arena

- Saturday, Nov. 16 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — ADIDAS Arena

- Tuesday, Dec. 31 – Bellator Champions Series – TBD

Updated Bellator Champions Series Dublin main card:

Welterweight World Title bout: C-Jason Jackson (18-4) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0)

Lightweight bout: Paul Hughes (11-1) vs. Bobby King (12-6)

Women’s Featherweight bout: Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) vs. Arlene Blencowe (15-10)

Middleweight bout: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) vs. Dalton Rosta (8-1)

Bantamweight No. 1 Contender bout: Kasum Kasumov (15-1) vs. Matheus Mattos (14-2-1)

Light Heavyweight bout: Simeon Powell (9-1) vs. Abdullah Er-Ramy (7-1)

Bantamweight bout: Brian Moore (16-10) vs. Francesco Nuzzi (10-1)

Bantamweight bout: Sarvarjon Khamidov (15-0) vs. Marcirley Alves (12-3)

Featherweight bout: Nathan Kelly (10-2) vs. Fabacary Diatta (9-1)

Women’s Featherweight bout: Olena Kolesnyk (9-6) vs. Sara Collins (5-0)

Women’s Featherweight bout: Michelle Montague (4-0) vs. Karolina Sobek (4-2)


Evans and Cassidy give Jaguar a 1-2 finish in Monaco E-Prix

Updated 29 April 2024
Follow

Evans and Cassidy give Jaguar a 1-2 finish in Monaco E-Prix

  • Duo recorded the team’s second such triumph in Formula E history
  • Evans broke a streak of four previous misses where he led but did not secure a win in the principality

MONTE CARLO: Mitch Evans claimed victory in the 2024 Monaco E-Prix, breaking his streak of four prior misses where he had led but failed to win.

Leading his Jaguar TCS Racing teammate Nick Cassidy, Evans executed the team’s strategy flawlessly, securing a dominant 1-2 finish for the British team. Their tactics, including strategic use of ATTACK MODE boosts, propelled Evans to his first Monaco win and Jaguar TCS Racing’s second 1-2 finish in Formula E.

“It feels mega, and a lot of relief to finally get that first win here,” said Evans after his win. “It feels like it should have come a few years earlier, but finally got it done today. Extra special as it’s my first win of the season as well here. Hopefully, this is a turning point for me and I can start to consistently get big points. I’ve been chipping away at it but nothing too crazy, so it’s come at a crucial time. It just feels amazing, and a massive team effort with Nick today to get a Jaguar 1-2 here in Monaco.”

With this victory, Evans bumps himself up to fifth in the drivers’ standing and solidifies his position as a championship frontrunner for Season 10, while Jaguar TCS Racing maintains its impressive lead in the Teams’ running.

Behind the top three, Stoffel Vandoorne’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne was close behind in fourth. Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche finished fifth, while Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E Team crossed the line sixth. Seventh place went to Antonio Felix da Costa of TAG Heuer Porsche, followed by Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz of Nissan Formula E Team. Captain of consistency, Maximilian Gunther of Maserati MSG Racing, took ninth place securing more points for the Monaco-based outfit, while Norman Nato of Andretti Formula E rounded out the top 10.

As the season progresses, the stage is set for further excitement and fierce battles on the track, with the next rounds scheduled to take place in Berlin for the next double-header on May 11 and 12.

“It’s an unreal feeling, it’s been an epic day,” Cassidy said. “Last year, we were 1-2 as well so it’s pretty cool actually that it’s the other way around. I’m really happy for him. We can be really proud of our effort today and it’s a great result for Jaguar TCS Racing.”

Away from the on-track action, British boxing champion Anthony Joshua also stole the show, engaging with drivers and dropping hints about his upcoming fight. Amid the buzz of the pre-race media activities, Joshua revealed the date for his next match at Wembley Stadium in London.

Sharing insights from his illustrious career, Joshua drew parallels between boxing and motorsport, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for success. As the crowd eagerly awaited news of his next opponent, Joshua tantalized with names like Filip Hrgovic, Daniel Dubois, and Deontay Wilder, hinting at a potential showdown with Tyson Fury.

With royalty in attendance, including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, the event culminated in the presentation of trophies to the podium-sitters, marking yet another thrilling chapter in Monaco’s motorsport history.

The next race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the 2024 Berlin E-Prix double-header on Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12.