Saudi Arabia defeat Ivory Coast in Jeddah friendly

Saudi Arabia secured a deserved 1–0 victory over Ivory Coast in Jeddah on Friday, with an early strike from Saleh Aboulshamat proving decisive at King Abdullah Sports City. (X/@SaudiNT)
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Updated 15 November 2025
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Saudi Arabia defeat Ivory Coast in Jeddah friendly

  • Hosts made a fast start and were rewarded in the eighth minute when Aboulshamat finished confidently

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia secured a deserved 1–0 victory over Ivory Coast in Jeddah on Friday, with an early strike from Saleh Aboulshamat proving decisive at King Abdullah Sports City.

The hosts made a fast start and were rewarded in the eighth minute when Aboulshamat finished confidently after a sharp attacking move, catching Emerse Fae’s side flat-footed.

From there, the Green Falcons’ disciplined 4-3-3 structure limited the African champions’ opportunities to respond.

Ivory Coast, who lined up in a 4-4-2, endured a frustrating evening and struggled to create meaningful chances despite expectations of a more open contest.

They lacked sharpness in the final third, and even a wave of second-half introductions, including Guela Doue, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Sebastien Haller, Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande, failed to turn the tide.

Ivory Coast now shift their focus to Tuesday’s fixture against Oman as they look to bounce back from the defeat and regain momentum ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.


Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

Updated 14 December 2025
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Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

  • Abu Dhabi and India franchises will meet on Sunday night in Baseball United Season 1 championship-decider

DUBAI: Kazuki Yabuta struck out eight and allowed only four hits and one run in 6.1 innings, and Haru Yoshioka had a perfect 2.2 relief with seven strikeouts, including a Fire Ball strikeout to end the game, to give Mid East Falcons a 5-1 win over Mumbai Cobras and tie the United Series (1-1).

Gregori Cano went 2-for-3, with a solo home run in the third inning, and Munenori Kawasaki went 2-for-4 with one run scored and a one-run double that represented the beginning of Mid East’s four-run attack in the eighth inning.

Jake Hjelle went 1-for-3 with an RBI, which was the Falcons’ third run of the game. The other two runs came on consecutive walks with the Money Ball in play, resulting in two RBIs for Federico Celli.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the third and final game of the United Series will take place at Baseball United Ballpark.

In other highlights, Chase Gearing took the loss after 3.1 innings of relief work, in which he allowed four hits, three earned runs, and two strikeouts.

Raul Shah went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, as the standout man in the Cobras offense.
Lord de Vera and Lou Helmig left three and two men on base, respectively, for a total of five at key moments in the game.