AFC Champions League Two final: Lion City Sailors unfazed by Sharjah and out for continental glory
Singapore club secured domestic league title last weekend and hope to carry momentum forward into Sunday's final
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Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Yildiz stars as Juventus beat Wydad at Club World Cup
Kenan Yildiz scored two goals and had a hand in another as Juventus beat Wydad Casablanca 4-1 at the Club World Cup on Sunday to close in on a place in the last 16. The Turkish international forward was unlucky not to be credited with Juve's early opener which went down as an own goal by Abdelmounaim Boutouil. However, there was no doubt that Yildiz was the scorer of the second with a tremendous strike from outside the box. Thembinkosi Lorch pulled one back for Wydad before the break, but Yildiz got his second of the afternoon on 69 minutes before a late Dusan Vlahovic penalty sealed the victory for the Italian side. Having already defeated UAE club Al Ain 5-0 in their opening match, Juve have scored nine goals and have the maximum six points after two outings in Group G. Their qualification for the knockout phase will be assured if group rivals Manchester City avoid defeat against Al Ain later. That puts Igor Tudor's Juve in an excellent position with a final group game to come on Thursday against City in Orlando. "I'm happy. It was not easy. It was hot, but it was a good win. At the end our quality came out," Tudor told broadcaster DAZN, before hailing the performance of Yildiz. "He has great potential. He has a lot of skills but more important than skills is his brain, that is the key. A wonderful player, so there is a big future in front of him." Meanwhile Moroccan giants Wydad are eliminated with this defeat following a 2-0 loss at the hands of City in their first outing. Yildiz, the 20-year-old German-born winger, was among the scorers against Al Ain and he was the star of the show here in front of 31,975 fans at Lincoln Financial Field. Juve, who finished fourth in Serie A in the campaign just finished, went with an unchanged starting line-up meaning the likes of Vlahovic and Manuel Locatelli began the game on the bench. Prolific against Al Ain, they wasted no time in putting the team that finished third in the Moroccan league to the sword. The opening goal came on six minutes as Khephren Thuram teed up Yildiz and his shot beat goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid with the aid of a slight deflection off Boutouil. It was 2-0 on 16 minutes via a superb effort, as Andrea Cambiaso went on a piercing run in from the left before laying the ball off for Yildiz to smash in a shot on the half-volley into the top corner. Wydad quickly pulled one back as veteran Nordin Amrabat's fine pass in behind the defence released South African winger Lorch to control and clip a shot past the goalkeeper. Yet Juventus were well on top and Cambiaso hit the post just prior to the hour mark before Randal Kolo Muani somehow failed to turn in Lloyd Kelly's ball across the face of goal. Their third goal did arrive just after the midway point in the second half when France forward Kolo Muani collected possession on the left and then slipped in Yildiz who finished into the corner. It was his third goal at the tournament so far, and his 12th in all competitions since the season began. Yildiz had been withdrawn before the fourth goal arrived in stoppage time, substitute Vlahovic stroking in a spot-kick awarded after he had been hauled down by Guilherme Ferreira.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Asian Tour poised for thrilling second half as global talent takes center stage
With June drawing to a close, it's the perfect time to take a mid-season look at the fast-evolving landscape of the Asian Tour in 2025. So far, the tour has hosted eight qualifying events, with 15 more to come, including its traditionally strong second half. Major highlights ahead include next month's Open Championship at Royal Portrush, the prestigious $5 million PIF Saudi International in Riyadh in November, and the $1 million Saudi Open presented by PIF in December (venue to be confirmed). Anchoring the schedule are seven more International Series events, the cornerstone of the calendar that kicked off in the Philippines back in January. After a brief pause, action resumes with the $2 million International Series Morocco from July 3–6 at the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and the International Series Rankings currently showcase a strong mix of Asian Tour regulars and LIV Golf stars, reflecting the tour's growing international appeal. At the top of the Order of Merit sits Carlos Ortiz (Mexico), while Lucas Herbert (Australia), a former HERO Dubai Desert Classic champion, leads the IS Rankings. Players from seven different countries feature in each top 10 list which is a testament to the global reach of the tour. Notably, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed both hold top-five positions in the International Series standings. As in previous years, the winner of the IS Rankings earns a coveted spot on the following LIV Golf season, provided they're not already part of its roster. This creates an added layer of incentive for players throughout the year. The LIV Golf investment - which includes the International Series and broader Asian Tour initiatives - continues to elevate the tour, bringing international attention and additional value to all events at a pivotal time in golf's global development. The second half of the season promises even more excitement as players from the Asian Tour, LIV, and other circuits battle it out for prize money, Official World Golf Ranking points, and career-shaping opportunities. Much like the DP World Tour, the Asian Tour, along with its Asian Development Tour (ADT), continues to champion regional talent through partnerships with bodies like the Arab Golf Federation (AGF). These platforms are crucial for nurturing elite amateur and professional players across the Middle East, under the guidance of the Saudi Golf Federation (SGF). Next week's event in Morocco exemplifies this commitment, with players from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and host nation Morocco among those entered so far - a showcase of emerging regional talent alongside seasoned pros. Order of Merit (post-U.S. Open): Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) Sadom Kaewkanjana (Thailand) Ollie Schniederjans (USA) Dongmin Mun (Korea) Ryan Peake (Australia) International Series Rankings (post-U.S. Open): Lucas Herbert (Australia) Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) Ollie Schniederjans (USA) Bryson DeChambeau (USA) Patrick Reed (USA) For full details and schedule updates, visit:
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Trailblazer' and former England fast bowler David Lawrence dies at 61
Former England fast bowler David Lawrence has died at the age of 61 after a year-long battle with motor neurone disease (MND), his family said on Sunday. Lawrence, the first British-born Black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed last year with MND, a degenerative condition that causes muscle wastage and affects the brain and nerves. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE (King's Birthday Honours) following his brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease," Lawrence's family said. "Syd was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field... A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different. "His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was. As President of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Syd took on the role with incredible pride and passion and loved every minute of it." Lawrence, who earned five Test caps for England, made 280 appearances for Gloucestershire and took 625 wickets for the county. His Test debut came at Lord's against Sri Lanka in 1988, with his career highlight being a five-wicket haul against the West Indies at the Oval in 1991. In 2022, Lawrence became Gloucestershire County Cricket Club's first Black president and he was named one of the inaugural Honorary Life Vice-Presidents of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) earlier this year. ECB chairman Richard Thompson described Lawrence as "a true trailblazer of English cricket and a man of immense courage, character, and compassion". "His impact on the game extended far beyond the boundary ropes," Thompson added in a statement. "As a fast bowler, he thrilled crowds with his pace and passion. As a leader and advocate, he broke barriers and inspired change, becoming a powerful voice for inclusion and representation in our sport."
