Latest news with #ShababAlAhli
The National
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Former UAE football star Igor Jesus leads Botafogo to shock win over PSG at Club World Cup
European champions Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shock 1-0 Club World Cup defeat against Brazilian side Botafogo on Thursday. A first-half goal from Brazilian international and former UAE Pro League star Igor Jesus proved the difference as the reigning champions of South America all but secured a place in the knockout phase at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. French champions PSG were one of the favourites for the expanded tournament, having capped a remarkable season with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Uefa Champions League final last month. But their hopes of securing a victory which would have seen them become the first side to reach the last 16 were dashed by a resilient performance from the Rio de Janeiro club. 'A lot of people wondered, but we showed how strong Botafogo is,' goalscorer Jesus said after the win. 'It was a difficult game, and we had to defend well, and we did our job and scored a goal. 'We're really happy – we knew how important this game was. One team was the champion of the Champions League, the other team was the champion of South America,' added Jesus, who had been linked with a move to English Premier League side Nottingham Forest earlier this year before opting to stay with the Brazilians to play in the Club World Cup. 'I think I made the right choice to stay in Botafogo,' Jesus quipped. It was a moment to celebrate for UAE football as well. Up until recently, Jesus was at Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai, where he played for nearly four years and developed into a quality centre-forward and also helped clinch a UAE Pro League title. On Thursday, PSG dominated possession in front of almost 54,000 fans but Botafogo's defence stood tall to withstand waves of attacks from the French side in the first competitive meeting between the clubs. A turnover near midfield generated an opportunity for Jesus, whose deflected shot left PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flat-footed and only able to watch as the ball skipped into the net in the 36th minute. PSG continued to be the aggressors in the second half as Botafogo were content to protect their lead. PSG, who had scored 19 goals in their last five matches, had the ball in the net in the 79th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside and Botafogo held for the shock win. Setback for Al Ahly Palmeiras drew first blood in Club World Cup Group A with a 2-0 victory over Egyptian side Al Ahly in New Jersey. The match was suspended in the 63rd minute because of a weather warning, with players and fans at the MetLife Stadium instructed to 'take shelter' because of a nearby storm. Palmeiras were leading by two goals at the time, with a Wessam Abou Ali own goal sending the Brazilians ahead in the 49th minute before Flaco Lopez doubled their lead on the Egyptian club 10 minutes later. Victory took Palmeiras provisionally top on four points. It was the third match at the tournament affected by adverse weather at the tournament. 'I think in general the way this type of thing (weather delay) affects the game; it was a very low beginning. It wasn't easy to get back to the rhythm in the game,' Al Ahly coach Jose Riveiro said. 'Most of the team is coming from very long seasons, levels of energy aren't the best. These types of interruptions aren't going to help.'
Sharjah 24
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Seven ADNOC League clubs retain their coaches for the new season
Continued confidence in successful coaches Shabab Al Ahli continues under the leadership of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, who led the team to an impressive quadruple last season. Al Ain remains under Serbian coach Vladimir Ivic, while Ajman retains Serbian coach Goran Tufejdzic. Dibba renewed its confidence in Portuguese coach Bruno Pereira, who was instrumental in the team's return to the Pro League. Al Bataeh stays with Iranian coach Farhad Majidi. Ittihad Kalba is continuing with Serbian coach Vuk Ražnović, and Al Jazira moves forward with Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta. Coaching changes for other clubs Several clubs have opted for fresh leadership. Al Wasl appointed Portuguese coach Luis Castro, while Al Nasr hired Serbian coach Slavisa Jokanović. Khorfakkan brought in Emirati coach Hassan Al Abdouli, and Al Dhafra signed Montenegrin coach Zeljko Petrovic. Bani Yas announced the appointment of Bulgarian coach Ivaylo Petev Bogdanov. Pending announcements Sharjah has not yet officially named a replacement for Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu, who left to coach the national team. Serbian coach Milos, formerly of Al Wasl, is a top contender. Al Wahda has also yet to announce a new head coach following the departure of Slovenian Darko Milanić.
Time Out Dubai
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Time Out Dubai
The Basketball Champions League Asia final is in Dubai tonight
The eight best basketball clubs on the continent have descended on Dubai to battle it out for the Basketball Champions League Asia trophy. And the final is set to be played on Friday June 13 at the Coca-Cola Arena, the home of Dubai Basketball, in City Walk. It's the second consecutive year that Dubai will host the tournament, which brings together the best of East and West Asia. The 3rd place play-off will see UAE National Basketball League champions Shabab Al Ahli of Dubai face off against Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos of Mongolia on Friday June 13. And later on the same day, comes the grand final as Utsonomiya Brex of the Japanese B. League take on reigning Asian champions Al Riyadi of Beirut. Tickets for the final matches are on sale from just Dhs75. The Basketball Champions League Asia returns to Dubai this summer (Credit: WAM) This year's tournament started out at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall and featured top teams from China, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines. Chinese champions Zhejiang Lions, Korean league winners Changwon LG Sakers, Philippine Cup winners Meralco Bolts and West Asian runners-up Tabiat of Iran and BCL Asia East runners-up Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Taiwan were the other participants in this year's edition. It is the 30th season of the Basketball Champions League Asia and 2025 will be the third time that Dubai has hosted the tournament. Last time out, Al Riyadi of Beirut were crowned champions following a 122-96 win over Dubai-based side Shabab Al Ahli. Since the Basketball Champions League Asia final of 2024, the sport has grown in popularity in the emirate thanks to the arrival of the Dubai Basketball franchise team. Dubai Basketball compete in the European ABA League and is currently ineligible for the Basketball Champions League Asia. Dubai Basketball are, instead, hoping to enter the Euroleague if they prove to be successful in this year's ABA League play-offs. The Euroleague final of 2025 was, coincidentally, played in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. Fenerbahce of Turkey beat Monaco in the final at the Etihad Arena. From Dhs75. Fri Jun 13. Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk. Looking for things to do in Dubai? All the sports events in Dubai in 2025 to sign up for Make 2025 the year of your PBs 50 brilliant outdoor activities to try at least once in Dubai Let's take this outside The incredible Dubai hotels offering more than just a room Did someone say freebies?
Gulf Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE coach Olaroiu shifts focus to crucial playoff preparation
UAE will be aiming to lock down third spot when they travel to face Kyrgyzstan in their final AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday. Thursday's goalless draw with Uzbekistan ended UAE's hopes of automatic qualification and the West Asian side sit only a point ahead of Qatar, with both having sealed their places in the playoffs. Cosmin Olaroiu would have known before the tie against Uzbekistan that automatic qualification was going to be a long shot but the newly appointed head coach saw positives in the match and is already preparing for the playoffs. 'You have a once in a lifetime chance,' Olaroiu said. 'I don't think you should talk about motivation as much as preparation. That is the most important thing. Now is the end of the season, we have a break, then the clubs will start their preparations. 'In September, there is (an international) break and we will have some friendly games. The preparation is very, very important because the work the clubs will do now will influence it.' Kyrgyzstan, on the other hand, will be aiming to finish their debut campaign at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers on a high note. Cosmin Olaroiu In a setback to the team ahead of the crucial match, the UAE Football Association has suspended defender Khalid Al Dhanhani and forward Sultan Adel for five domestic matches and fined each player Dhs500,000 on Sunday for misconduct during a national team training camp. The players have left the camp with immediate effect due to a violation of disciplinary rules and will not travel with the squad to Kyrgyzstan. 'The disciplinary committee of the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has decided to suspend Sharjah player Khalid Al Dhanhani and Shabab Al Ahli player Sultan Adil for five domestic matches, and to impose a fine of Dh500,000 on each,' the UAEFA said in a statement on Sunday. 'They have also been removed from the senior national team list after committing a violation inside the national team training camp on June 7.' The clubs of the two players dismissed from the UAE national team have expressed their support for the Football Association's decision. While the specific nature of the 'violation' has not been disclosed, both players' clubs have backed the FA's actions. 'While the club reaffirms its full respect for the decisions and regulations of the UAE Football Association, it will proceed with the necessary disciplinary action against the player,' Sharjah club stated. Saudi aim for miracle against Australia: A Saudi squad that has scored six goals through nine qualifying games need to beat Australia by a five-goal margin to earn a direct spot at the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Herve Renard knows it's an extremely unlikely outcome for his Saudi team, but he's urging his players to go all in Tuesday in the last game of the third round of Asian qualifying for next year's global tournament. 'The door is closed but we have to try to qualify even if it is through the window,' Renard said after his team's 2-0 win over Bahrain last week kept Saudi Arabia in contention. 'Everything must go very well for us if we are to qualify; we have to score goals.' Anything less than a five-goal deficit means Australia — in second spot in Group C — will qualify for a seventh World Cup. The last time the Socceroos lost by such a margin was in successive 6-0 defeats against Brazil and France in 2013. The Australians have scored 14 goals and conceded six through nine qualifiers. After successive World Cup qualifications through the playoffs, Australia are close to securing a direct route but coach Tony Popovic is taking nothing for granted. 'We need to do a job in Saudi,' Popovic said. 'We're in a great position, but we need to finish it off.' Popovic has only been in the job since September, stepping in after Graham Arnold resigned after collecting just one point in the group's first two qualification games. 'It's been a really intense period since I've come in but everyone's embraced what we're aiming to do,' he said. 'And we're very close now to achieving our goal.'For China, Kuwait, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain, the run to 2026 is already over. UAE players take part in a training session in Bishkek on Monday, ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan.
Khaleej Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE football clubs support ban, fine on football players after behavioural violation
Two major UAE football clubs released their statements after their players were suspended, excluded from the national team and fined on June 8 by the country's football association. The UAE Football Association on Sunday suspended two players — Sharjah Club player Khalid Al Dhanhani and Shabab Al Ahli Club player Sultan Adel — and fined them both Dh500,000 each. As per the statement, the two players were penalised due to the violations committed by them inside the national team camp on June 7. Both the clubs issued official statements, supporting the temporary ban imposed on the players, which bars them from playing five matches in local competitions. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Sharjah Club said it had "closely reviewed" the statement issued by the authority regarding the suspension of Khalid Al-Zanahani, his exclusion from the national team squad, and the imposition of a fine. The club stated that it had "initiated the necessary disciplinary procedures against the player in accordance with the club's internal regulations, reflecting its commitment to the principles of discipline and responsibility". "The club regrets the occurrence of such conduct during the national team training camp and emphasises that representing the country is a great honour that requires all players to maintain professional behavior and full discipline. "Furthermore, the club reiterates its continued support for the national teams and affirms its dedication to preparing its players to be role models both on and off the field, in a manner that reflects the honorable image of Emirati football," it concluded. Shabab Al Ahli Club, on the other hand, "strongly" rejected and condemned the behaviour of its player Sultan Adel and said it had taken the necessary disciplinary action against him in accordance with its internal regulations. Calling players "ambassadors of the nation", the club emphasised that it was their responsibility to reflect a respectable image through their adherence to values, discipline, and sportsmanship. It also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting national teams and upholding the name of the UAE in regional and international arenas. Previous incidents The UAE maintains strict laws when it comes to hosting sporting games and other events. In May, Dubai-based football clubs Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli were fined a total of Dh150,000 following events that unfolded during the Adnoc Pro League match. The fans of both the clubs insulted each other, and threw liquid bottles onto the pitch and at the opposing team's fans. Al Wasl fans also a smoke bomb.
