Pakistan defeat Japan to clinch bronze at Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball in Bahrain

Pakistani and Japanese players jump to block the ball during the Pakistan vs Japan match at the Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Bahrain on August 4, 2024. (@AsianVolleyball/X)
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Updated 05 August 2024
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Pakistan defeat Japan to clinch bronze at Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball in Bahrain

  • Pakistan beat Japan with set scores of 25-13, 25-21, and 25-17 to clinch bronze medal 
  • Victory over Japan also earns Pakistan spot in upcoming World Championship, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recently defeated Japan 3-0 to clinch the bronze medal at the Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship in Bahrain, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report, showcasing the South Asian country’s talent at the grassroots level in the sport. 

Bahrain is hosting the 15th Asian U-18 Volleyball Championship which began on July 28 and continued till August 4. The tournament featured 16 teams across Asia who competed for the trophy. After narrowly losing out to China in the semifinal of the tournament last week, Pakistan competed for third place against Japan on Sunday. 

“In a dominant display of skill and teamwork, Pakistan triumphed over Japan with a decisive 3-0 victory in the third-place match,” APP said. “The set scores were 25-13, 25-21, and 25-17, showcasing Pakistan’s superior play.”

Pakistan clinched the third spot out of a total of 16 countries including Bahrain, Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Taipei, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Lebanon, India and others. 

“The victory not only brings a bronze medal but also marks a significant milestone for Pakistan volleyball, reflecting the growth and potential of the sport in the country,” the state media reported. 

APP credited the “strategic planning and rigorous training regimen” of the coaching staff for the team’s success, saying that it played a crucial role in honing the athletes’ skills and enabling them to perform at their best on the international stage. 

“In addition to securing the Bronze Medal, the Pakistan U18 Men’s Volleyball Team has also qualified for the upcoming World Championship,” it said. 

Pakistan’s Under-18 squad includes talented players such as Talal Ahmed, Abu Bakar, Muhammad Issam, Muhammad Hassan, Gibran Ajmal, Junaid Muttahed, Ali Shah, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Yahya, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Nasir, and Khizr Hayat.


Australia post dominant 60-run win over New Zealand in Women’s T20 World Cup

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Australia post dominant 60-run win over New Zealand in Women’s T20 World Cup

  • Australia scored the tournament’s second-highest total — 148-8 in 20 overs — thanks to Beth Mooney’s 40 off 32 balls
  • It was New Zealand’s third-highest margin of defeat in women’s T20s

SHARJAH, UAE: Megan Schutt took three wickets for just three runs off 20 deliveries as Australia secured a rampant 60-run win over New Zealand in their Group A clash at the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Schutt’s return was the most economical three-wicket spell in tournament history, surpassing England’s Danielle Hazell’s 3-4 against Bangladesh in 2014.

This was after Australia scored the tournament’s second-highest total — 148-8 in 20 overs — thanks to Beth Mooney’s 40 off 32 balls.

In reply, New Zealand was bowled out for 88 runs in 19.2 overs with medium pace pairing Schutt and Annabel Sutherland sharing six wickets.

Sutherland took 3-21 in four overs, as Australia moved to the top of Group A with two wins in as many games.

Australia opted to bat after winning the toss as Mooney put on 41 runs with Alyssa Healy, who scored 26 runs.

Mooney added another 45 off 48 balls with Ellyze Perry, who scored 30 off 24 balls, hitting three fours and a six.

Perry’s knock provided momentum for Australia, despite Mooney being caught by all-rounder Amelia Kerr.

Kerr finished with 4-26 in four overs, picking up a couple late wickets, but couldn’t prevent Australia from putting up a challenging total.

Chasing 149, New Zealand lost Georgia Plimmer early — bowled off Schutt for four.

Kerr contributed 29 off 31 balls, hitting three fours, and put on 47 runs for the second wicket. It raised visions of a Kiwi fightback, before left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux made a double breakthrough.

Molineux broke the partnership in the 11th over and New Zealand crashed to defeat within 42 deliveries, losing nine wickets for 27 runs.

Only Lea Tahuhu (11) managed to reach double figures thereafter, as Australia registered their 13th consecutive win in Women’s T20 World Cups.

It was also New Zealand’s third-highest margin of defeat in women’s T20s.


Chelsea edge Real Madrid in Women’s Champions League, Lyon win

Updated 09 October 2024
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Chelsea edge Real Madrid in Women’s Champions League, Lyon win

  • Eight-time winners Lyon eased to a comfortable victory against debutants Galatasaray

PARIS: Chelsea began their hunt for Women’s Champions League glory with a 3-2 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday, while eight-time winners Lyon eased to a comfortable victory against debutants Galatasaray.
Sjoeke Nuesken and Guro Reiten gave Chelsea the lead before Alba Redondo pulled one back for the visitors before half-time.
Mayra Ramirez struck in the second half to restore Chelsea’s two-goal advantage. A late Linda Caicedo tap-in set up a nervy finale at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea went into the lead in the second minute when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross struck the unfortunate Sheila Garcia, via the head of Nuesken, and trickled into the Madrid net.
The English champions doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour as the referee pointed to the spot after Maria Mendez caught Nuesken as the pair fought over a loose ball in the box.
Reiten slotted the spot-kick beyond the reach of Misa Rodriguez, who had correctly guessed which way to dive.
Madrid halved the deficit on 39 minutes. Fine wing play by Olga Carmona created the chance and after some pinball in the Chelsea box, Redondo showed composure to take a touch and finish from 10 yards.
Ramirez restored the hosts’ two-goal lead eight minutes into the second half with a header that looped over goalkeeper Misa.
Caicedo converted from close range in the 84th minute after Lucy Bronze had blocked a goal-bound effort on the line, however the Spaniards were unable to complete the comeback as Chelsea ground out the win.
Also in Group B, Dutch club Twente beat Celtic 2-0 in Glasgow thanks to a Kayleigh van Dooren brace either side of the interval.
Earlier, a trio of headers from Kadidiatou Diani, who scored twice, and Vanessa Gilles gave last year’s beaten finalists Lyon a 3-0 home victory over Galatasaray.
France attacker Diani opened the scoring when she stole in to nod home a Tabitha Chawinga cross with 34 minutes on the clock.
Chawinga then got her second assist of the match — and Lyon scored their second goal — right on the stroke of half-time as Gilles turned in her chipped cross from close range.
Gilles went close with another header early in the second period, but her towering effort from a corner rattled against the crossbar.
Diani did make it three in the 77th minute, her guided header crept inside the far post after Amel Majri had burst down the left flank and drilled in a cross.
“They had a lot of fight and it’s never easy to combat that, but that’s football and that’s the Champions League. We’re so happy to come away with the win,” said Lyon defender Gilles.
In the Italian capital, a 14th-minute penalty converted by new captain Manuela Giugliano was enough for Roma to upset two-time champions Wolfsburg 1-0.
The visitors struck the woodwork twice after the break but were left frustrated as Roma held on to take all three points and go second in Group A — behind Lyon on goal difference.
On Wednesday, Arsenal visit Bayern Munich and Champions League holders Barcelona start their title defense at Manchester City.


Riyadh Season to sponsor Spain’s La Liga

Updated 08 October 2024
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Riyadh Season to sponsor Spain’s La Liga

  • Three-season deal positions Riyadh Season as the official sponsor of one of the world’s strongest leagues
  • La Liga President Tebas highlights strategic importance of the Kingdom to La Liga

RIYADH: Riyadh Season is to sponsor Spain’s La Liga for the next three seasons.

Riyadh Season, which was represented by Faisal Bafarat, the CEO of the General Entertainment Authority, signed the partnership agreement with Spanish football’s La Liga President Javier Tebas.

It marks a three-season deal that positions Riyadh Season as the official sponsor of one of the world’s strongest football leagues.

Tebas highlighted the strategic importance of the Kingdom to La Liga, noting the immense passion that Saudi football fans have for the Spanish league.

He added that La Liga is committed to fostering the growth of the sports and entertainment industry in the Kingdom by supporting initiatives like Riyadh Season.

David Villa, La Liga’s ambassador, expressed confidence that the partnership with Saudi Arabia would open new avenues for collaboration.

He stressed that football in the Kingdom had experienced tremendous growth in recent years, making it an ideal partner.

The partnership, which reflects Riyadh Season’s global presence, aims to initiate promotional activities for both brands and implement joint initiatives targeting football fans and visitors to Riyadh Season.


Shooter Suaar Al-Dosari wins gold in 10-meter air pistol competition at Saudi Games

Updated 08 October 2024
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Shooter Suaar Al-Dosari wins gold in 10-meter air pistol competition at Saudi Games

  • Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Musaed, Saudi Shooting Federation’s vice president, awards winners at event

RIYADH: Shooter Suaar Al-Dosari has won the gold medal in the men’s 10-meter air pistol competition at the 2024 Saudi Games.
Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Musaed, the Saudi Shooting Federation’s vice president, awarded the winners at the third edition of the event at Public Security Training City in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Attallah Al-Enazi claimed silver while Fahd Al-Mutairi took bronze.
Sarah Al-Huqbani claimed the gold medal in the women’s competition while Noura Al-Suqairan and Noha Al-Husseini won silver and bronze, respectively.
At the Paralympic weightlifting competition, Mohammed Al-Harbi, president of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation, awarded the medals to the winners.
Adnan Noor Saeed, of Jeddah Disability Club, took the gold medal In the 65 kg weight category, ahead of clubmate Mayasar Al-Alimi (silver) and Talal Al-Balawi, of Madinah Disability Club, who claimed bronze.
Jeddah Disability Club’s Aseel Hawsawi claimed gold in the 97 kg category, with Saeed Hawsawi, of Makkah Disability Club, taking silver and Tariq Balghith, of Jeddah Disability Club, the bronze.


Hall of fame manager Eddie Diaz selected to lead UAE’s national baseball team

Updated 08 October 2024
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Hall of fame manager Eddie Diaz selected to lead UAE’s national baseball team

  • Hall of famer in both Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Diaz will lead the newly announced team at Baseball United’s Arab Classic next month

DUBAI: Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, has announced that Eddie Diaz, the former Mexican League hall of fame manager and current vice president of baseball operations at Baseball United, has been named as manager of the UAE’s national baseball team.

The new team will compete for the first time at Baseball United’s Arab Classic tournament next month in Dubai.

Diaz’s career has covered more than four decades in professional baseball, with experience as a player, scout, manager, and executive. He played Minor League Baseball with the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians, and was also a Major League Baseball scout for more than a decade.

Diaz later managed in Mexico’s top summer baseball league, the LMB, for 12 years and its top winter league, the Mexican Pacific League, for 11.

Diaz won three successive championships as the manager of Yaquis de Obregon in the Mexican Pacific League. He was inducted into their hall of fame in 2022.

Diaz also won two Caribbean Series championships — a top professional tournament that brings together the champions of the best Latin American professional baseball leagues.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Diaz was inducted into its Northern Region Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

Kash Shaikh, the chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United, said: “We are honored and excited to appoint a leader with Eddie’s character and pedigree as the first-ever manager of the UAE’s national baseball team.

“Eddie has a track record of success across the highest levels of professional and international baseball. And, even more importantly, he’s a great person and a strong motivator who cares about people. He will help this team develop quickly. We expect the UAE to make a strong showing at the Arab Classic.”

The UAE team will compete as one of nine nations at Baseball United’s Arab Classic from Nov. 7-10 at the league’s new ballpark at The Sevens sports and entertainment complex in Dubai.

The inaugural tournament is the largest national baseball team event to take place in the Middle East and South Asia. Others competing include India, Pakistan, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia, and the complete schedule will be announced shortly.

Diaz said: “I’m very thankful to Kash and (co-owner) John (Miedreich) for giving me this historic opportunity.

“I take the challenge with honor, gratitude, and responsibility. And, most importantly, I take it with a deep passion to continue Baseball United’s mission as we work to grow our sport on the other side of the world. I am so proud to be a part of this team.”