There was a lot for the US Olympic team to like on Monday. And a lot not to like.
Anthony Davis scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton came up with a pair of late 3-pointers that helped stop a freefall by the Americans, and the US beat Australia 98-92 on Monday to improve to 2-0 in its five-game slate of exhibitions leading into the Paris Olympics.
Devin Booker scored 16 for the US, Anthony Edwards scored 14 and three players — LeBron James, Bam Adebayo and Joel Embiid — finished with 10 for the Americans, who are playing host to a pair of exhibitions at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this week. They’ll play Serbia there on Wednesday.
Jock Landale scored 20 for Australia, which got 17 from Josh Giddey and 14 from Dyson Daniels.
The US led by 24 midway through the third quarter, yet saw that lead cut to six with 5:05 left after Australia went on a 39-21 run. But Haliburton had the next six points on his 3s, pushing the lead back to 92-80.
Australia cut it to four on two separate occasions, but Booker went 4-for-4 from the line in the final 8 seconds to ensure the US would escape.
“Third quarter, we started turning the ball over,” US coach Steve Kerr said. “We gave up a ton of points at the basket. Back cuts, offensive boards and so, the game shifted. It’s a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later. And this will be a good tape for us to watch. But I give Australia a ton of credit. They were great. They fought. They were really physical. Took it to us in the last quarter and a half and really made it a game.”
Second unit, again
Just like in the Canada game, the so-called second unit — Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Adebayo, Davis and Booker — changed the game.
That was the group on the floor when the Americans took a game that was tied at 19-19 with 3:15 left in the first and turned it into a 39-23 lead — a 20-4 run in a span of just over 5 minutes.
Kerr used that group as his starting five to open the second half. But it’s become a clear trend already: when the US goes to its bench and can replace All-Stars with other All-Stars, it’s just going to be a massive problem for opponents who don’t have anywhere near that same level of depth.
“The strength of our team is our depth and we have to utilize our depth,” Kerr said.
It’s been something the Americans have used to their advantage in the past. Dwyane Wade led the gold-medalist 2008 US Olympic team in points, even though he was sixth in minutes on that team and came off the bench in all eight games.
Turnovers
Here’s the big trouble sign right now for the US: turnovers.
FIBA games are shorter than NBA games, 40 minutes instead of 48 minutes. That means there are fewer possessions and makes it even more imperative to not give the ball away.
Which the Americans did. A lot.
After committing 15 turnovers in last week’s exhibition win over Canada, the US had 18 giveaways on Monday and Australia used them to fuel the comeback effort — getting 25 points off turnovers in the second half alone.
“Our turnovers, it’s all about focus and execution,” Davis said.
Injury watch
Kevin Durant missed his second consecutive game because of a calf strain, and with only one practice between games it wouldn’t seem likely that he plays Wednesday against Serbia either.
Derrick White, who arrived in Abu Dhabi over the weekend and got into his first practice with the team on Sunday, also didn’t play. White replaced Kawhi Leonard — who deals with knee issues — on the US roster after the Americans determined last week that it wasn’t in Leonard’s best interest to play this summer.
US holds off Australia for 98-92 win in Olympics tuneup in Abu Dhabi
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US holds off Australia for 98-92 win in Olympics tuneup in Abu Dhabi
- The US led by 24 midway through the third quarter, yet saw that lead cut to six with 5:05 left after Australia went on a 39-21 run
Mancini says Saudi Falcons ready for match against China in Asian 2026 World Cup qualifiers
RIYADH: Saudi national football team manager Roberto Mancini spoke at a press conference on Monday about the Green Team’s preparations for the upcoming match against China in the second round of the third stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
He said: “The Chinese team has a good squad despite their recent loss against the Japanese team. I expect that the Chinese team will be better than the last match tomorrow, so we must be prepared well and take advantage of all opportunities.
“We are training intensively on scoring, and we must continue to create opportunities. I am confident that we will make better use of chances in the upcoming matches.
“Our match against the Chinese national team will be different for both teams. I hope our performance will be the same as it was in the second half of the last match and that we will create opportunities and score.”
Player Saleh Al-Shehri also addressed the match, saying: “It will be a tough match. We must be well-prepared tomorrow and work hard because the match will not be easy.”
Dubai Duty Free joins inaugural Dubai Premier Padel P1 as official sponsor
- The world’s best male and female players will compete this November at Dubai’s first Premier Padel event
DUBAI: Gallop Global, the organizer of this November’s first-ever Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament, has confirmed Dubai Duty Free as the official sponsor of the inaugural event.
With the first-ever Dubai Premier Padel P1 event taking place Nov. 3-10 at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Garhoud, the sponsorship agreement will see the emirate’s new padel tournament team up with the brand synonymous with several international sporting competitions, including the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Part of the newly unified 25-event Premier Padel tour, which spans 18 countries across five continents this year, Dubai Premier Padel P1 will feature the world’s top male and female players contesting a prize pool of €470,000 (1.89 million dirhams). As a top-ranked P1 classified tournament, the sport’s leading male and female players are obligated to compete.
Dubai Duty Free already owns and organizes the city’s annual ATP and WTA events since their inception more than 30 years ago. Horse racing has also played a key role in the company’s sponsorship strategy and continues to hold a prominent position in a world-class global portfolio that includes tennis, golf, rugby and basketball.
“Bringing together Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Premier Padel P1 is a significant milestone for our inaugural event,” said Ivan Modia, tournament Director and CEO of Gallop Global. “Dubai Duty Free has decades of experience collaborating with major sporting associations and events, which we plan to leverage in our efforts to optimize the city’s inaugural Premier Padel event. Partners such as Dubai Duty Free empower our ambitious plans to elevate Dubai’s P1 event to a marquee position on the global padel calendar, underscored by memorable experience for fans and athletes alike.”
Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We are pleased to further expand our diverse sponsorship portfolio through this alliance with Dubai Premier Padel P1. As padel’s popularity in the UAE and around the world continues to grow, we are committed to playing our part in cementing Dubai as a leading destination on the international padel calendar, in line with the city’s already established reputation for hosting major global sporting events.”
The week-long tournament, which will take place under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Sports Council, is a collaborative effort supported by the UAE Padel Association, the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Sports Council, Premier Padel and Gallop Global.
Palestine dreaming of 2026 World Cup ahead of Jordan derby
LONDON: It is possible that the winner of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier between Palestine and Jordan in Kuala Lumpur will go top of Group B, with two games gone and eight games to go.
Given that Asia has eight automatic places at the 2026 tournament, twice as many as in 2022 and there are just 18 teams in the third round of qualification, it is not inconceivable that Palestine could make it all the way.
Such a thought would have been dismissed out of hand even a year ago, but no longer. It’s still unlikely, but not impossible. Just finishing fourth in the six-team group keeps the dream alive and after a 0-0 draw in their, on paper, toughest game of the 10, there is a growing belief.
After all, if you can hold the star-studded South Koreans — Asia’s most successful World Cup team with 11 appearances — to a draw in Seoul in front of 60,000 fans then Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Jordan should not hold any fears. Indeed, a great result could have become spectacular had Wessam Abou Ali’s injury-time shot from a one-on-one not been saved by Jo Hyun-woo.
Palestine’s goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh also excelled but is one of a number of free agents in the squad. The lack of game time for some makes the result in Seoul even more impressive.
Due to the ongoing destruction in Gaza and elsewhere, there is no football in Palestine and no league. There was never really any question of hosting World Cup qualifiers on home soil. Israeli bombs are still falling, people are still dying and stadiums have been destroyed.
Facing Jordan in Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem would have been unforgettable in terms of occasion, meaning and atmosphere. The clash in Malaysia won’t feel the same in that regard, but what does not change is the game’s importance.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is a dream for every player or coach, but for Palestine it means a lot,” Palestine coach Makram Daboub told Arab News. “It will be a message to the whole world that despite the pain, there is always hope and there are people who deserve freedom and deserve a better life.”
This is a real rivalry heightened by the millions of Palestinians who live in Jordan. It has, however, been a little one-sided on the pitch. It is 48 years since Palestine beat Jordan, a 2-1 win in the Pan Arab Games. Since that 1976 clash, the men from Amman have been on top.
The most painful defeat was a 5-1 thrashing at the 2015 Asian Cup, Palestine’s first appearance on the continental stage. There was a goalless draw when they met again four years later but, at the 2021 Arab Cup, Jordan won by the same scoreline.
Palestine have improved since. The mature, organised, hard-working and increasingly confident performance in Seoul showed that.
“We knew that it would not be an easy game and that is exactly what happened,” said Son Heung-min, Asia’s biggest star and captain of Tottenham Hotspur. “We had the chances to win the game and should have won but they were tough opposition.”
Just hours later Jordan slipped up, drawing 1-1 with Kuwait at home. Hosting the lowest-ranked of all the 18 teams — 136th in the world — should have been a comfortable three points for the home team. As Palestine drew what was, on paper, their toughest game, Jordan drew with, in theory, their easiest. It adds a little extra spice.
Just seven months ago, Jordan were in the Asian Cup final after defeating, and outclassing, South Korea 2-0 in the last four. The departure of coach Hussein Ammouta was a blow and the draw with Kuwait will heighten concerns that while new coach Jamal Sellami may share the same Moroccan passport as his predecessor, delivering the same success is far from certain.
The injury picked up by one of the stars of the Asian Cup, Musa Al-Tamari, has added to the gloom. The Montpellier attacker scored early against Kuwait but was unable to finish the game.
This may be a good time for Palestine to play their neighbours, who are suddenly without their star player and talismanic coach. They are also in need of points, so the pressure is on. After reaching the final at the Asian Cup, it was expected that Jordan would battle with Iraq for the second automatic spot behind South Korea. That may still happen, but last Thursday’s results have put a little doubt in the minds of everyone.
There is no doubt, however, that with the expanded World Cup, a couple of wins early in the third round could make a huge difference.
“Our goal is to be among the first four teams in the group, and we are capable of that and our chance exists,” Daboub said. “We have a good team.”
Sabalenka set for WTA Finals in Riyadh after US Open victory
- World No. 2 to make her fourth consecutive appearance at finals, which start on Nov. 2
- Sabalenka won the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open, the Australian Open and the US Open this season.
RIYADH: The WTA announced that Aryna Sabalenka has secured qualification for the 2024 WTA Finals, which will be hosted for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Nov. 2-9, 2024.
The World No. 2, who will be making her fourth consecutive appearance at the prestigious event, where she was runner-up in 2022, joins PIF WTA World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the singles draw. Swiatek secured her place in Riyadh in August.
This announcement comes after Sabalenka’s incredible victory at Saturday’s US Open final, where she captured her third Grand Slam singles title, and her first in New York City, by defeating No. 6 Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5.
Sabalenka has been ever-present on the PIF Race to the WTA Finals leaderboard in 2024 having reached back-to-back finals at the start of the season, contesting the title match at the WTA 500 Brisbane International presented by Evie then defending her title at the Australian Open to earn her second singles Grand Slam crown.
The 26-year-old has three further WTA 1000 tournaments contributing vital PIF WTA ranking points, winning the Cincinnati Open last month in addition to consecutive runner-up finishes at the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Rome), falling to fellow qualifier Swiatek in both finals.
The 2024 WTA Finals features the top eight singles players and doubles teams in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals, competing in a round-robin format with the singles champion lifting the WTA Finals Billie Jean King Trophy and the doubles champions earning the WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy.
The championship is the first of a three year-partnership between the WTA and Saudi Tennis Federation. Tickets are now on sale for the week-long event.
Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career
- She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation
- Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012
- A young fan at the game held a sign that said ‘Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports’
SAN DIEGO: Fighting tears, Alex Morgan waved to the crowd and walked off the field for the last time on Sunday as she capped an impactful 15-year career.
The two-time Women’s World Cup winner announced on Thursday she was pregnant with her second child and retiring from the game.
She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.
“What a ride it’s been,” Morgan told the crowd after the match.
It was her 63rd appearance for the Wave, commemorated by a No. 63 jersey given to Morgan in a pregame ceremony. Overall, it was her 150th career appearance in National Women’s Soccer League play.
Before the match, the video scoreboard board showed snippets of Morgan’s retirement video, along with highlights from her career. Her 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, accompanied her on the field. She had more than 95 family members and friends at the game.
The Wave’s starters posed for a photo imitating Morgan’s iconic ‘tea sipping’ celebration, a homage to her iconic response to her go-ahead goal to beat England in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup in France.
Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. In club play, Morgan played for the NWSL champion Portland Thorns in the league’s first year and helped the Wave win the Shield in 2023.
Morgan played in 224 matches for the US national team, with 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and 53 assists (ninth). She was named the US Soccer Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018.
When she subbed off, she fought back tears as she removed her cleats at midfield. During the substitution, a tifo in the supporter’s section read “For Country, Club, Community.”
Despite the nearly 100-degree heat, a crowd of 26,516 fans filled Snapdragon for Morgan’s farewell match. Among them was San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove, who went to the match straight from his start against the San Francisco Giants.
“Twelve thousand tickets were sold in one day when she announced that this was going to be her last game” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said, “That’s the power of Alex Morgan.”
Wave fan Amber Brunner attended the match with her family, saying “My girls fell in love with soccer because of her.”
Off the pitch, Morgan advanced women’s soccer in her fight for equal pay with the men’s national team. The US women filed a lawsuit in 2019 that led to a historic agreement in 2022 that paid both the men and women equitably.
A young fan at the game held a sign that said “Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports.”
