Kuwait City: The entire board of Kuwait’s football governing body has resigned after fans were left in sweltering temperatures for hours during a World Cup qualifier against Iraq.
Board members quit after an inquiry into ticketing and logistical problems that marred Tuesday’s match at the 60,000-capacity Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, the Kuwait Football Association said in a statement late Saturday.
“The board members of the Kuwait Football Association tendered resignations en masse,” Kuwait’s official KUNA news agency reported, citing the statement.
According to the association website, the board had seven members.
The association also accepted the resignation of its secretary-general, Salah Al-Qanai, and public relations boss Mohamed Bou Abbas, it said.
They had been suspended since Wednesday over what the association called “unacceptable events.”
Fans fainted in temperatures of above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) as they pleaded with staff for water.
Some fans without tickets were meanwhile allowed in, while others who had purchased tickets were refused entry.
Kuwait football board quits after match chaos
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Kuwait football board quits after match chaos
- Board members quit after an inquiry into ticketing and logistical problems that marred Tuesday’s match
Dubai Basketball back to winning ways with dominant display in Serbia
- Victory ensures a record of 3 wins and 1 loss after round 4 of the ABA League
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball got back on the winning trail again in Europe’s ABA League following a dominant 87-74 victory over Serbia’s Borac Mozzart on Sunday night.
The win was marked by a powerful defensive performance that restricted the home team’s captain, Marko Josilo, to only six points across 34 minutes of play.
Dubai Basketball went into the round-four game in Cacak looking to bounce back from last week’s last-gasp defeat against Mega MIS — and they responded with an impressive performance to take their record to 3-1.
Danilo Andusic set the pace all night long for Dubai, with 16 points, while Ahmet Duverioglu had a game-high seven rebounds.
With Borac Mozzart focusing heavily on Dubai’s captain, Klemen Prepelic, they had no answer for Isaiah Taylor, whose 13 points, three rebounds and six assists proved decisive in handing the Serbian team their first home loss of the season.
By the end of the first quarter, Dubai held a narrow lead of 24-23. The hosts levelled the scores early in the second, but head coach Jurica Golemac’s side took it up a gear with captain Prepelic dropping a three-pointer when his team needed him most.
Nate Mason, who missed the last game due to an injury, added another two, but some strong play saw Borac Mozzart take a 33-29 lead.
Dubai’s Awudu Abass and Andusic then stepped up with crucial points including a three-pointer to turn the momentum and give their team a healthy 47-36 advantage at halftime.
By the end of the third quarter, Dubai had stretched their lead to 71-63, and in the last 10 minutes they held off Borac Mozzart to close out for a key win on the road.
The home fans gave the game a special atmosphere with their boisterous support of their team at the Cacak Sports Hall.
Dubai’s Jacorey Williams commented post-game: “It was loud, the fans here are great and they’re passionate; they let us know all night that there would be no easy points.
“It was great to leave with a big team win, but shout-out to the fans, Cacak Sports Hall is one of the toughest places to play.”
Dubai Basketball’s next game will be on Sunday, Oct. 20 when they take on Spartak Subotica at Coca-Cola Arena.
Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals
- A beaming Leweling told Germany’s ZDF network “we won as a team, I scored the 1-0, we won 1-0, but we did well and I’m just happy I could help out
MUNICH, Germany: A 63-minute rocket from debutant Jamie Leweling gave Germany a 1-0 win over a limp Netherlands in Munich on Monday and a first appearance in the Nations League knockout rounds.
The Stuttgart forward was called off the bench after an injury to club teammate Deniz Undav in the warm-up.
Leweling had an early goal ruled out for the tightest of offsides before blasting in a loose ball from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
A beaming Leweling told Germany’s ZDF network “we won as a team, I scored the 1-0, we won 1-0, but we did well and I’m just happy I could help out.
“The Dutch are a top nation, but we played a good game nevertheless. We used the chances that we had well.”
Captain Kimmich told reporters the side were proud to overcome a long injury list.
“There were just three players on the field in comparison to five weeks ago against Holland (a 2-2 draw in the Netherlands), that’s why we are proud of what we did.
“You could see how happy we are, how proud we are of the performance today.
“We had lots of new players, some young players, unfortunately lots of injuries but you didnt notice much of a difference.
“Jamie had an outstanding debut — it’s not often the Allianz Arena gives you a reception like that — he did well.
Oliver Baumann, at 34 the oldest debutant goalie in Germany history, pulled off a spectacular save from Donyell Malen in the final minute to protect Germany’s victory.
The Netherlands, missing suspended captain Virgil van Dijk, were poor until the dying stages. They stayed second in the group but only on goal difference ahead of Hungary, who beat Bosnia 2-0.
Before the match, the hosts bid farewell to international veterans Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Ilkay Gundogan and Toni Kroos, who have all stepped down since the home Euros in the summer.
Since starting his reign one year ago to the day with a 3-1 away win over the United States, coach Julian Nagelsmann has been willing to ignore big names in favor of in-form players.
Injuries to key players including Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen forced Nagelsmann into seven changes, the injury to Undav, who scored both goals in Germany’s win over Bosnia on October 11, forced a last-minute reshuffle.
The coach gave Leweling and Oliver Baumann their first caps, while Aleksandar Pavlovic and Angelo Stiller started for the first time.
Leweling appeared to have started his Germany career perfectly when he gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, but a lengthy video review found Serge Gnabry offside in the build-up.
Despite pressing the Dutch into a series of mistakes playing out from goal, Germany failed to carve another clear opportunity in the first half.
The visitors posed little threat to debutant Baumann’s goal, failing to register a shot in the first half.
Leweling’s stunning strike jolted the match into life with just under half an hour remaining.
Xavi Simons rattled the crossbar late as the Dutch hinted at a possible comeback, with Malen also going close but failing to break through.
Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Academy opens at Boulevard City in Riyadh
- The 7-time world champion attended the launch and played the first shot on the academy’s main table
RIYADH: The Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Academy opened in Riyadh’s Boulevard City on Monday, with the seven-time world champion on hand to play the first shot on its main table.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players of all time, O’Sullivan was joined at the launch by leading figures from the Saudi sports sector, including Faisal Bafarat, CEO of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, and Nasser Al-Shammari, president of the Saudi Snooker Federation, who oversaw the inauguration ceremony.
The academy’s founders say it will offer snooker enthusiasts a dedicated space in which they can hone their skills and compete in local and international tournaments, with the wider aim of boosting the profile and development of the sport in the Kingdom.
The opening of the academy is in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 relating to the development of sport and youth development in the Kingdom, by helping to provide local players with the coaching and experience that can prepare them to compete on a global stage.
Youth taekwondo competitions conclude at Saudi Games
- Adult taekwondo competitions will continue on Tuesday
RIYADH: The youth taekwondo competitions of the third Saudi Games concluded on Monday at Boulevard 2 in Riyadh.
Shaddad Al-Amri, president of the Saudi Taekwondo Federation, awarded the winners their medals during the ceremony.
In the 48 kg category, Abdullah Mushrif from Al-Shabab claimed the gold medal, with Khaled Al-Shahrani from Abha securing silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Alai Addin Al-Sisi (Al-Ahli) and Nawaf Al-Bishi (Al-Hilal).
Abdulrahman Al-Shahrani (Abha) took gold in the 55 kg category, while Tariq Zawawi (Herra) won silver. Bronze medals went to Abdulaziz Abu Faleh (Al-Hariq) and Abdulrahman Al-Jabri (Al-Nassr).
The 63 kg category saw Abdullah Al-Dosari (Al-Noor) win gold, with Issa Mjarshi taking silver. Bronze went to Firas Al-Aliyo (Al-Salam) and Rayan Al-Harthi (Al-Ittihad).
Rakan Al-Agha (Al-Ahli) secured the gold in the 73 kg category, while Nawaf Hussein (Al-Hilal) took silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Faisal Al-Mutairi and Ibrahim Al-Dosari (both from Al-Shabab).
In the +73 kg category, Ahmad Bin Qasim (Al-Shabab) won gold, with Youssef Al-Madawi (Abha) taking silver, and Al-Hur Al-Hamadah (Al-Taraji) claiming bronze.
The adult taekwondo competitions will continue on Tuesday with the 49 kg category for women and the 58 kg and 80 kg categories for men.
Mancini stresses mental preparedness ahead of crucial Bahrain qualifier
- National team are fully focused, says head coach
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s head coach Roberto Mancini on Monday stressed the importance of being mentally prepared as his team look to bounce back from their defeat against Japan.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference at King Abdullah Sports City, Mancini highlighted the need for psychological readiness ahead of the Green Falcons’ World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Mancini, who was joined by goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar, acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, saying: “I think it’s the same thing as I said before — all games are difficult.
“Tomorrow’s game is crucial and tough. Bahrain looked physically strong against Indonesia and I hope we deliver a positive display, as we did against Japan despite the loss.”
The Italian coach stressed that his team are fully focused and mentally strong.
He added: “We are mentally prepared. We are seeking to compensate for the loss to Japan. Psychological support is very important, and we are grateful to Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal, minister of sports, and Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Football Federation, for their constant motivation.”
Mancini called on the fans to play their part, adding: “Their presence is very important and a great support for the team.”
Echoing his coach’s sentiments, Al-Kassar spoke of the team’s determination to make up for the disappointment of the Japan defeat.
He said: “All the players were frustrated when fans left during the Japan match, and we were not satisfied with the result.
“Everyone expects a lot from us and we must make the fans happy. We will strive to do so against Bahrain and secure a victory.”
Bahrain’s head coach Dragan Talajic, a familiar figure in Saudi football having won the 2004 AFC Champions League with Al-Ittihad, shared his excitement about returning to the city.
He said: “I am so glad to be back in Jeddah. I have great memories with Al-Ittihad that I will never forget.”
He anticipates a competitive match, and added: “The plan tomorrow is to play great football; I’m sure the Saudis are thinking the same.
“It’s going to be a good game between two great teams, and we’re looking forward to winning.”
Al-Shabab’s Musab Al-Juwair missed a training session, led by Mancini, due to pain in his thigh.
The Green Falcons sit third in Group C in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
