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Umm Salal and Al Duhail players battle for the ball at Al Khor Stadium in the Qatar Stars League. Umm Salal stunned nine-man Al Duhail 2-1 at Al Khor Stadium in the Qatar Stars League to revive their hopes of avoiding relegation.Bottom-placed Umm Salal struck through Antonio Mance (45+4) and Naim al-Aidouni (72), while Bassam al-Rawi had equalised for Duhail in the 51st minute. The win lifted Umm Salal to 12 points and temporarily moved them off the bottom, while last season’s runners-up Duhail remain sixth and could slip further depending on other results this week.Duhail’s troubles began early when Luis Martin was sent off in the sixth minute for a reckless challenge on Ahmed Abdel-Maqsoud. Umm Salal were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute after Salah Zakaria fouled Osama Tannane, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving the spot-kick.The situation worsened for Duhail when Benjamin Bourigeaud received a red card in the 39th minute following a tackle on Abdou Diallo, leaving his side with nine men. Umm Salal capitalised just before half-time as Cristo’s cross was turned in by Mance.Duhail briefly fought back after the break when al-Rawi levelled from a direct free-kick, but Umm Salal regained the lead when al-Aidouni headed home from a corner. Despite late pressure, Umm Salal held on for a crucial victory.Mancini urges focus as Sadd seek revenge against Shahania Thursday, reigning champions Al Sadd return to action against Al Shahania at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, seeking revenge after a 1-0 defeat in the first-leg meeting. Sadd coach Roberto Mancini said his team must remain fully focused. “Every match is a real challenge for us. Al Shahania beat us earlier this season, so we need to give our best,” the Italian said, urging his players to keep their focus in the title race.Shahania assistant coach Pejman Montazeri acknowledged the difficulty of facing a star-studded Sadd side but said his team aims for a positive result to improve their league position. He added that the team is working to address lapses in morale after conceding early goals following their disappointing result against Al Wakrah.Meanwhile, leaders Al Gharafa face Al Sailiya at Grand Hamad Stadium. Gharafa will be eager to bounce back from their 3-1 loss to Sadd, while Sailiya aim to continue climbing the table after a goalless draw with Shamal.Gharafa coach Pedro Martins backed his players to respond strongly, saying the team will fight to remain in the title race. Sailiya coach Mirghani Al-Zein stressed respect for their opponents and confirmed several absences, including Younes Belhanda, but expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to execute the game plan.FixturesThursday: Al Sadd vs Al Shahania – Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (5.45pm); Al Sailiya vs Al Gharafa – Grand Hamad Stadium (5.45pm); Al Arabi vs Al Shamal – Al Thumama Stadium (7.45pm)Friday: Al Wakrah vs Al Ahli – Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium (5.45pm); Qatar SC vs Al Rayyan – Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium (7.45pm) Related Story Source link
Fresh from a remarkable run of international successes, Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah will headline this weekend’s Qatar International Rally, the second round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF).Eight drivers, including championship leader and home hero al-Attiyah and former champion Abdullah al-Rawahi, joined QMMF’s Executive Director Amro al-Hamad at the pre-event press conference at the Lusail International Circuit Tuesday.Qatar’s veteran racer Nasser Khalifa al-Atya, Mohammed al-Marri and Rashid al-Mohannadi, Jordan’s current FIA MERC2 leader Shaker Jweihan, his Kuwaiti rival Jassim al-Muqahwi and Saudi Arabia’s young Hamza Bakhashab were also in attendance.QMMF President Abdulrahman al-Mannai was then called forward at the conclusion of the press conference to present a cake to al-Attiyah on behalf of the QMMF to celebrate the Qatari’s recent sixth success in the Dakar Rally.Should the multiple regional champion achieve glory this weekend, it will be his fourth international win in as many weeks to follow on from the Dakar success, victory in the opening round of this championship in Oman and a triumph at last weekend’s Saudi Baja, round one of the FIA World Baja Cup.Al-Attiyah spent much of the morning in the service park at Lusail with his Autotek team discussing the car set-up, a new livery for his Skoda and in-car camera fitment. Upbeat after winning last weekend’s Saudi Baja, the Qatari said: “It has been a fantastic start to the year. We’ve had three very good performances – Dakar, Oman and Saudi Baja – and we are leading three different championships. Now it’s my home event in Qatar.“We will miss some top European drivers coming here this year, but we need to focus and manage with the drivers from the Middle East. We will try to win this race. We will check out the new stages on Wednesday. It’s really good this year that we have a compact rally. Sometimes we lost a lot of time travelling to Lusail or the Corniche for the start or the finish. Now, at Lusail, we have the start here, the podium, the service park and a Qualifying Stage and no super special. We really pushed for the Qualifying Stage from a long time. It will be really nice. Now you can choose your start position to an extent. The Shakedown is also very important now.”Oman’s al-Rawahi finished second at the opening round in his home nation less than two weeks ago and is upbeat about his chances this weekend. He said: “I am happy to be here. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. We are trying our best to do all the championship. With the budget it is quite tough. I think we are better prepared this time with the set-up. It’s going to be fast but we are getting closer and closer to Nasser every year. We are always aiming to get the podium. We are going to push from the beginning and see what we can do.”Young Qatari Mohammed al-Marri has made the transition to a Rally2 car this weekend after engine issues put a damper on his progress in Oman last month. Al-Marri said: “We had a disappointment in Oman after a strong start. We lost the engine but now we want to come back stronger and here I will drive a Citroen in Rally2. It’s a new beginning. I will be trying to compete with the guys at the same time as learning the car. We tested already and are getting better and better every time. It’s one of the best cars in Rally2. Hopefully, we can achieve a good result.”Wednesday the crews will carry their reconnaissance of the special stages in the north of Qatar, while scrutineering checks are carried out on the race vehicles at the Lusail International Circuit. Related Story Source link
England’s Jacob Bethell celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka, stumped by England’s Jos Buttler, during the third and final Twenty20…
Jon Rahm of Spain gives an interview ahead of the LIV Golf season opener in Riyadh. As the league’s two-time defending individual champion, Jon Rahm has quickly become the face of LIV Golf. That makes the Spaniard’s opinion on the uncertain state of LIV amidst a valuable one as the tour kicks off its 2026 season this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Brooks Koepka sent shockwaves when he left LIV last December and made his PGA Tour return over the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open. Patrick Reed, while not yet back with PGA officially, announced his LIV departure last week and is set to return to the more prominent tour later this year. The PGA Tour announced a “returning member program,” the criteria of which made only four LIV players eligible for immediate reinstatement: Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Australian Cameron Smith and Rahm. Instead, Rahm elected to stick with LIV for a third season as the captain of defending team champion Legion XIII. But Rahm admitted he doesn’t hold any ill will towards Reed for his decision. “I think each one is going to do whatever he thinks is best for them. At this point, I just wish him nothing but the best of luck. Hopefully it all goes well,” Rahm said when asked about Reed’s decision Tuesday. “We’re free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that’s how it should be. And he’s made his choice, obviously. Nothing really against him. He’s been playing fantastic golf, and if he wants to go back, he should have the chance to do so.” This week’s event in Riyadh also marks the beginning of a new era for LIV, which will move from 54-hole events to the more traditional 72 holes this season. The hope is that this change will allow for LIV events to begin counting for points in the Official Golf World Rankings, which they have not since the league’s 2022 launch. A decision on that front is reportedly expected soon from OWGR’s board, potentially paving an easier path for LIV competitors to qualify for major championships. Rahm, a two-time major champion, sees the change as a positive on all fronts. “I’m happy about it. I would say I was one of the people that pushed for it. So obviously I’m happy about it,” Rahm said. “I think the more golf we play, the better for stronger teams and stronger players, and I think it will benefit us four individuals and as a team.” Another potential LIV change this season is the league pushing for the DP World Tour to stop fining competitors for missing events due to LIV event conflicts. That’s affecting Rahm more than many, as he said recently that he’s been fined approximately $3mn for missing DP events since joining LIV ahead of the 2024 season. “I don’t know what it may be or what it’s going to look like, but I’m happy to see that looking for a path forward for LIV players to be able to play on both tours and not to get penalised,” Rahm said Tuesday. “The fact that they’re looking at a positive way to figure it out, I think it’s only good for us, and I think it’s good for the DP World Tour as well.” Related Story Source link
Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have made history as the first mothers ranked inside the WTA Tour’s top 10 at the same time, with the governing body hailing it as “an incredible moment for women’s sport”. Switzerland’s Bencic returned to the top 10 in January for the first time since stepping away from the court in September 2023 to give birth to daughter Bella. In the latest rankings released on Monday she was joined by Svitolina, mother of Skai, after the Ukrainian’s run to the semi-finals at the Australian Open last week. The WTA has made efforts in recent years to help players maintain their professional careers and become parents with its Family Focus Program. It includes ranking protection during pregnancy, postpartum support with a return to play and paid maternity leave. “Two mothers ranked inside the WTA’s Top 10 rankings for the first time is an incredible moment for tennis and for women’s sport,” said WTA chief executive Portia Archer. “Not only does this highlight the exceptional achievements of Belinda and Elina, it reaffirms the WTA’s commitment to creating an environment where mothers can continue to compete and succeed, at the very highest level of sport – or any profession.” Bencic and Svitolina both took advantage of the Special Ranking Rule for returning mothers. “Coming back to the WTA Top 10 one year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I am incredibly proud of,” said Bencic, ranked nine. “Very few people know or have experienced how difficult that journey is, but my family, my team and I have put all of our energy, work and dedication into it to accomplish this goal.”Tenth-ranked Svitolina added: “It’s a dream to return to the WTA Top 10. “Doing it as a mother means so much to me. I’m proud of my fight and resilience.” Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek retained their spots as world numbers one and two in the rankings, with newly-crowned Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina jumping two places to three. Amanada Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini fill out four to eight respectively. Source link
US skier Lindsey Vonn addresses a press conference ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 3, 2026. (AFP) Lindsey Vonn will attempt to defy the odds and compete at the Winter Olympics despite a ruptured knee ligament, the US ski icon insisting Tuesday that she will be at the starting gate when the women’s events get underway at the weekend. Vonn’s Olympic return after eight years, at the age of 41 and with a titanium implant in her right knee, has been one of the storylines of the Milan-Cortina Games. And she has been forced into another fightback after her other knee bore the brunt of a heavy crash in a World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on Friday. After gingerly making her way into a press conference in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the Olympic women’s alpine skiing events will be held, Vonn told reporters that she had “completely ruptured” her anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. She added that she had also suffered bone bruising and meniscus damage from her fall in a race which was abandoned early due to awful conditions which caused two other crashes. “Today I went skiing and considering how my knee feels, I feel stable, I feel strong,” said Vonn. “My knee is not swollen and and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete (in the downhill race) on Sunday. “This is not obviously what I had hoped for… I know what my chances were before the crash and and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today. “But I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance I will try.” The women’s programme gets underway with the downhill, the discipline in which Vonn won her sole Olympic gold in 2010 and in which she was hotly tipped to repeat the feat 16 years later. Vonn has finished on the podium in every World Cup downhill race this season, including two victories in St. Moritz and Zauchensee, and has claimed two more top-three finishes in the super-G. “I think this would be the best comeback I’ve done so far. Definitely the most dramatic, that’s for sure,” said Vonn. “I’ve been through a lot and this is, this is another amazing chapter. I don’t know if it’s the best chapter, but a pretty damn good comeback if I can pull it off.” Still going for medals Vonn’s has been in phenomenal form this season, against some skiers who are nearly half her age like Germany’s rising star Emma Aicher, and she insisted that she was still gunning for a fourth Olympic medal “to close out my career”. As well as the Olympic downhill, Vonn said she is aiming also to compete as previously planned in the team combined event on February 10 and the super-G two days later. “I know what my knee has felt like with previous injuries in the gym and what it’s felt like during all the physical tests. and I can say that I feel a lot better right now than I have in the past,” she said. “I feel a lot better right now than I did in 2019 for the World championships and I still got a medal there with no ACL and three tibial plateau fractures.” Her successes have been all the more remarkable because she only returned to alpine skiing in November 2024, five years after announcing the end of a stellar career which had taken her body to its very limit. She underwent surgery earlier that year to partially replace her right knee following persistent pain. But it could end up being her other knee which denies Vonn the chance of breaking her own record for the oldest Olympic medal winner in women’s alpine skiing. Vonn established that record by taking bronze in the downhill at the Pyeongchang Winter Games in 2018. “In the past, there’s always a moment where you break down and you realise… that your dreams are slipping through your fingers, but I didn’t have that this time,” said Vonn.“I’m not letting this slip through my fingers. I’m I’m gonna do it. End of story.” …
Al Duhail head coach Djamel Belmadi has underlined the importance of securing maximum points when his side takes on bottom-placed Umm Salal Wednesday at Al Khor Stadium in the Qatar Stars League.Al Duhail, last season’s runners-up, come into the match in sixth place with 20 points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Al Rayyan in the previous round. With the race for the top four intensifying, Belmadi stressed that his side must capitalise against teams lower down the table to remain in contention.“The difficulty of this match lies in the position of the opponent and the presence of a new coach,” Belmadi said. “Umm Salal will be fighting to escape their situation, and that requires us to play with full commitment and focus.”Belmadi also highlighted the challenges his team has faced this season, particularly a spate of injuries. Key absentees have included Brazilian defender Lucas Silva, captain Almoez Ali and first-choice goalkeeper Salah Zakaria, all of whom have missed significant periods.Despite the setbacks, Belmadi insisted Al Duhail are determined to push forward and finish the season as strongly as possible. Umm Salal, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the standings with nine points. The club recently parted ways with French coach Patrice Carteron and appointed Spaniard Ruben Albis, but results have yet to improve, with a 4-2 defeat to Al Arabi marking their third straight loss and 11th of the campaign.Albis acknowledged the scale of the task facing his side but said his players are determined to rise to the challenge. “We are facing a strong opponent with outstanding players, but every team has weaknesses,” Albis said. “Our focus is on mental and technical preparation, clear roles on the pitch and playing with character to fight for the three points.”Title race intensifiesMeanwhile, league leaders Al Gharafa will look to defend their narrow advantage at the top of the table. Al Gharafa, who have 31 points, face Al Sailiya on Thursday at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium as they attempt to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Al Sadd in the previous round. The loss denied them the chance to take a significant step towards a first league title since the 2009-2010 season.Al Sailiya, tenth on 12 points, head into the fixture buoyed by improved form, having beaten Qatar SC 2-1 before holding Al Shamal to a goalless draw.Al Sadd, just two points behind the leaders on 29, will aim to keep the pressure on when they host Al Shahaniya at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Thursday. The defending champions have reignited the title race with six consecutive victories, including last round’s crucial win over Al Gharafa.Third-placed Al Shamal, on 25 points, face a tricky away test against an in-form Al Arabi at Al Thumama Stadium. Al Arabi climbed to fifth with 23 points after a 4-2 victory over Umm Salal, continuing an impressive run under coach Cosmin Contra.Friday’s fixtures include a high-profile clash between Qatar SC and Al Rayyan at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium. Qatar SC moved up to seventh with 20 points after ending a five-match losing streak by beating Al Ahli, while Al Rayyan remain fourth on 24 points following their draw with Al Duhail.The round concludes with Al Wakrah hosting Al Ahli at Saud bin Abdulrahman Stadium. Al Wakrah sit eighth on 19 points after a commanding 4-0 win over Al Shahaniya, while Al Ahli are ninth with 15 points after back-to-back defeats. Source link
The International Swing on the DP World Tour reaches its midway point as a strong field has been assembled for the 29th edition of the Qatar Masters, which will be held from Wednesday through Sunday in Doha.This week’s host, Doha Golf Club (DGC), has staged the event in 26 of its 28 editions, becoming a regular and popular stop for players. This year’s field is headlined by Race to Dubai Rankings leader Jayden Schaper of South Africa and his nearest challenger, 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed of the United States.Andy Sullivan, Julien Guerrier, Daniel Hillier and Nacho Elvira will also be looking to continue their impressive starts to the season as they vie for the Mother of Pearl Trophy. The international stars will be joined by a trio of Qatari amateurs aiming to impress – Saleh al-Kaabi, Ali al-Shahrani and Daniil Sokolov.“Twenty-nine years is an incredible run and what we always do is work closely with our friends at the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee, whose support is so crucial,” said Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East at the DP World Tour, while addressing a press conference Tuesday.“Next year marks 30 years, which will be a huge landmark, and we look forward to reaching it and celebrating properly. This tournament continues to grow stronger every year. We have seven past champions teeing it up this week, along with three winners from the Race to Dubai so far this season. Another significant milestone will also be celebrated, as three-time major champion and 2003 winner Padraig Harrington is set to make his 500th DP World Tour start, which is remarkable. We are delighted to mark that achievement here,” he added.The course, however, may present a slightly different challenge this year, with several new and upgraded tee complexes – notably at the first, sixth, eighth, 13th and 15th holes – allowing greater flexibility in set-up while enhancing turf quality and visual definition.These improvements support a more strategic test for players while ensuring consistency across all tournament rounds. Operating in a desert environment, sustainability remains a core focus of course management, with DGC utilising warm-season turfgrasses selected for heat tolerance, reduced water demand and long-term durability.Irrigation practices are closely monitored and data-driven, ensuring water is applied efficiently and only where required, while ongoing soil health programmes help minimise inputs without compromising performance.“The forecast is looking very good. There may be a bit of wind on Thursday afternoon, but for the rest of the week conditions should be sunny with very light winds. We could see a little bit of rain over the weekend, but not very much,” said DP World Tour Senior Tournament Director Mikael Eriksson.“I have been coming here for around 12 years and I do not think I have ever seen the course in such immaculate condition. I received several messages from key players saying how grateful they are to be back and to see how much the course has improved over the past few years. We are looking forward to a very good and challenging week.”Speaking about the participation of Qatari players, Qatar Golf Association General Secretary Fahad Nasser al-Naimi expressed optimism. “We have three players from our national teams and they are in very good shape. This tournament is a significant opportunity for them and we truly hope they benefit from the experience,” he said.Al-Naimi also praised the strength of the field and confirmed that DGC is in perfect condition to host the event. “The Qatar Masters is one of the most significant sporting events held in Qatar. Once again, we have a strong 144-player field featuring many regulars from the circuit,” he said. Related Story Source link
Barcelona will be without winger Raphinha for the Copa del Rey clash at second-tier Albacete today because of a thigh strain and coach Hansi Flick said something had to “change” regarding the Brazilian’s preparation.Raphinha’s injury, sustained in the win over Elche on Saturday in La Liga, is expected to keep him out for only a week, but Flick was notably upset by the issue. The winger missed two months with a hamstring injury earlier this season and is a key player for the Spanish champions. “To be honest I’m not happy with this, really, because he’s a very important player,” Flick told a news conference yesterday. “We have to see what we have to change and also what he has to change. We’ll speak about that in the next days because it’s important. “This is the important phase in the season, we need every player to be able to play and when he’s out, it’s not good.” Barcelona have not lost a match this season which Raphinha has started.Albacete defeated Real Madrid in the previous round of the competition, and Flick said he was not surprised. “This is why we love (cup games), there are sometimes unexpected results,” said the coach. “Of course it’s like that – they have nothing to lose, they have only to win.” According to Spanish reports German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, on loan at Girona, has suffered a hamstring injury which could keep him out for two months. “I didn’t speak with him but I’m very sorry for him, but we have to wait for the results and we’ll see what happened,” added Flick. Source link
A man works on a cricket bat to prepare for sale at a sports gear shop in Kolkata, India, February 2, 2026. (Reuters) Boycott deepens freeze in India-Pakistan cricket relations after Islamabad’s decision on Sunday Pakistan’s decision to boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India has drawn widespread support from fans and administrators who hailed the move as a long-overdue stand in a rivalry in which sport and geopolitics have collided. The government on Sunday cleared Pakistan to take part in the tournament beginning February 7 but barred the team from playing India in a February 15 group match in Colombo, a decision the International Cricket Council (ICC) said was not in the interests of the global game. The boycott deepened a long freeze in bilateral cricket between the nuclear-armed neighbours – who have not played a full series since 2012-13 and now meet largely at neutral venues – and dealt a blow to the ICC’s marquee event, with India-Pakistan matches the biggest drivers of global viewership and revenue. ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’For many in Pakistan, however, the boycott was less about cricketing issues, with Pakistan forfeiting two points by skipping the match, and more about symbolism. “Enough is enough,” former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi told Reuters, accusing India’s board of politicising the ICC.“It’s time to challenge this duplicitous approach by exercising PCB’s options in alliance with Bangladesh.” The Indian government, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council did not respond to requests for comment. The ICC said it was still awaiting an official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conveying their “position of selective participation”. “While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the Dubai-based body said in a statement on Sunday. The government has not publicly detailed its reasoning, but Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, linked the move to security tensions with India. “Nothing is more important than the memory of Pakistani citizens and troops murdered by Indian proxy terrorists over the weekend,” Zaidi said. “With funerals taking place today, this was the least that could be done.” The remarks followed co-ordinated attacks by Baloch separatist militants across Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province over the weekend that killed nearly 50 people. India’s foreign ministry rejected Pakistan’s accusations, calling them “baseless” and accusing Islamabad of deflecting attention from its own internal issues. Pakistan’s World Cup jersey has been branded the “Markhor Edition,” after the national animal, a symbol of resilience also used in military iconography, Geo TV reported.‘LET CRICKET JUST BE A GAME’ On the streets of Pakistan’s major cities, many cricket fans backed the boycott as a response to what they see as India’s growing influence over global cricket governance.“This arrogance of India should be broken a little,” said Mohammad Asghar, a fan in Karachi. “They should realise someone has come forward to challenge them.” Others drew parallels with Bangladesh’s earlier withdrawal from the tournament over safety concerns, a move that led to Scotland replacing them, and questioned why Pakistan should be held to a different standard.“If Bangladesh can boycott for one player’s safety, why can’t Pakistan take a stand?” said Ayaz Ahmed. The decision also sparked heated debate on social media, with users divided between calls for “self-respect” and warnings that skipping the match could further isolate Pakistan in global cricket.Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi agreed.“Cricket can open doors when politics closes them,” he wrote on X.“It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India, but this is the moment for the ICC to prove it is impartial,” the former Pakistan skipper added. Source link