King Fahad Hospital and Shemesy both qualified first for the semifinals after finishing the eliminations at No. 1 in their respective groups in the Siglakas International Riyadh South District Unity Cup Basketball Tournament 2012 at the Dunes Compound Filipino Community court in Olaya Thalateen area here.
Shemesy topped Group B with a 6-1 win-loss record while KFH cagers of Ruben Sangcap and Rey Dalida put up a good fight with venue host team Dunes of James Bugawisan to lead Group A at 5-1.
KFH proved the better team over Dunes in a thrilling encounter where the former started strong to close the initial period ahead at 24-11. KFH stayed in the driver’s seat in the second and third periods at 52-37 and 73-59 behind gunners Johnson Sangcap, Marlon Adriano, Joseph Repollo and Hector Laurequez ably supported by Francis Bustamante, Joleto Rosales and Armando Galangue. The final quarter saw Dunes precious gem Michael Gatchalian ignite his team via three 3-point shots in this quarter (total of 6 triples in this game) but his 40 big points output in a team effort with Mark Pelagio, Nilo Bragado, Bryan Querubin and Edmond Icban could only trim down KFH lead by 10 points. The final tally was 91-81.
Industrial and Dunes from Group A and Aziziah and Yamama from Group B are set up for knockout games today and the winners will join waiting teams Shemesy and KFH to complete the semifinal round cast.
The tournament enjoys the generous support of Bukabin-Siglakas International Riyadh South District league advisers Armando C. Ortiz Sr., Felix A. Flor, Jr. and chair persons Willy Espiritu, Ed Resurreccion, Ricardo Manlutac, Ed Sarmiento, Oscar Rico, Rene Layug, Joe Amoncio, Salvador Vargas, Albert Datijan, Paul Alcantara and Ricky Guerrero. Dunes Compound Filipino Community through Rex Badida and Ben Samson Duhaylungsod also support the tournament.
Henry Dumalaon is the league commissioner of the Siglakas International Riyadh South District tournament committee. Dumalaon is being supported by the 3-Kapisanan working committee Chris Cabigting, Romeo Manahan, Leo Zamora, Joan Malayo, Aiza Guerrero, Hazel Redolme and Sarah Jane Suguitan. The Siglakas Referees Group officiate the tournament.
Team standings – Group A: KFH 5-1 Dunes 4-2 Industrial 4-2 Khazzan 3-3 Dumez Kings 2-4 Recs1 2-4 Senayah 0-6. Group B: Shemesy 6-1 Yamama 5-1 Aziziah 5-1 Wardeh 4-2 Roma 2-5 Farazdaq 3-3 Artec 0-7 Al Kharj 0-7
The scores:
KFH (91) J. Sangcap 31, J. Repollo 18, H. Laurequez 14, M. Adriano 12, A. Galangue 8, F. Bustamante 6, J. Rosales 2
Dunes (81) M. Gatchalian 40, M. Pelagio 9, E. Icban 8, B. Querubin 7, N. Bragado 6, C. Orca 6, A. Bernardo 5.
Shemesy, KFH qualify first for semifinals in Siglakas Unity Cup
Shemesy, KFH qualify first for semifinals in Siglakas Unity Cup
Spain will host 2030 World Cup final, says RFEF president
- Louzan did not say whether the match would be played at Santiago Bernabeu or Camp Nou
- Once completed in late 2028, the new stadium in Morocco is expected to hold 115,000 spectators
MADRID: Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzan has said that Spain will stage the final of the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Morocco wants to stage the game in Casablanca at the Grand Stade Hassan II, a huge stadium currently under construction north of the city.
“Spain has proven its organizational capacity over many years. It will be the leader of the 2030 World Cup and the final of that World Cup will be held here,” Louzan said late on Monday at an event organized by the Madrid Sports Press Association.
Louzan did not say whether the match would be played at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu or Barcelona’s Camp Nou, the two leading candidates.
Once completed in late 2028, the new stadium in Morocco is expected to hold 115,000 spectators. Morocco’s Royal Football Federation (FRMF) President Faouzi Lekjaa last year expressed his wish to see a final against Spain in Casablanca.
Louzan also alluded to the challenges Morocco faced during its hosting of the last Africa Cup of Nations, including the chaotic scenes during the final between Senegal and Morocco this month.
That match, which Senegal won 1-0, was overshadowed by fan disruptions and player protests that temporarily halted play.
“Morocco is really undergoing a transformation in every sense, with magnificent stadiums,” Louzan said. “We must recognize what has been done well. But in the Africa Cup of Nations, we have seen scenes that damage the image of world football.”
FIFA and the Portuguese and Moroccan football federations have not responded to requests for comment on the final’s location.
FIFA told Reuters last year it was premature to decide the venue for the 2030 final, saying the host city for the 2026 World Cup final was revealed only two years before the tournament. World soccer’s ruling body has the final say on where the match will be played.
