Latest news with #ThaierAl-Sudani
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-South Korea beat Iraq to qualify for 11th successive World Cup
Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group B - Iraq v South Korea - Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq - June 5, 2025 South Korea's Kim Jin-Kyu celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Economic Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
South Korea nears World Cup qualification as Uzbekistan targets historic first
South Korea is close to securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with upcoming qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan could qualify for the first time with a result against the UAE. With Japan and Iran already through, four automatic AFC spots remain up for grabs South Korea's Son Heung-min and Uzbekistan's national team are key figures in Asia's final stretch of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, with both nations closing in on automatic qualification as regional rivals battle for remaining spots REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads South Korea will have two chances to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they approach the final stages of Asian qualifying. The national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will secure their place with a draw or win against Iraq in Basra on Thursday, June 5. If unsuccessful, South Korea will have another opportunity at home next Tuesday against Son Heung-min, who recently lifted the UEFA Europa League title with Tottenham Hotspur, is expected to feature selectively. Coach Hong confirmed that Son, 32, may be rested in Basra after a long and physically demanding club season. Attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in, who collected a UEFA Champions League medal with Paris Saint-Germain over the weekend, is also in the squad but did not feature in PSG's read: Win, draw, or wait? What Socceroos need to do against Japan in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier to avoid a playoff nightmare South Korea currently sits atop Group B and aims to join Japan and Iran, who have already secured automatic World Cup qualification. A win or draw against Iraq would ensure their sixth straight World Cup appearance since is one result away from its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. The Central Asian side needs only a draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi to claim one of the two automatic spots from Group A. Iran has already qualified from the group, while the UAE is currently in third and must win to keep their hopes Uzbekistan falter, a path still remains through the additional rounds of AFC qualifying. Third- and fourth-place finishers in each group proceed to another qualifying stage for a chance at securing one of Asia's remaining Qatar, despite being the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, can only finish third or fourth in Group A. They host Iran and then travel to face Uzbekistan in what will be Julen Lopetegui's first matches in charge of the national team. The former Spain and Real Madrid manager will aim to guide the 2022 World Cup hosts into the next round of read: Can Lionel Messi lead Inter Miami to FIFA Club World Cup 2025 glory? Japan became the first AFC team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after dominating Group C. Australia, currently second in the group, can clinch qualification with a win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, provided Saudi Arabia drops points in their away match against is led by head coach Tony Popovic, who took over following Graham Arnold's resignation. If qualification is not secured this week, the final group-stage match between Australia and Saudi Arabia next Tuesday is likely to determine the final coached by Patrick Kluivert, remains in contention. They sit one point behind Saudi Arabia and will host China on Thursday before concluding their group campaign with a trip to Japan. China, at the bottom of Group C, faces near elimination and will need wins in both of their remaining fixtures to maintain even remote qualification hopes.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Saudi's Jeddah old town regains glory as the Grand Prix lures tourists
A newly renovated house is seen in the historic old city known as \"Al-Balad\" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed An owner of a traditional sandal shop takes his afternoon tea in the historic old city knows as \"Al-Balad\" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed Tourists and locals are seen in the historic old city knows as \"Al-Balad\" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed Locals sit in the historic old city known as \"Al-Balad\" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani People walk through a street in the historic old city known as \"Al-Balad\" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani JEDDAH - When Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Jeddah hosted Formula One star Lewis Hamilton and U.S. singer Jennifer Lopez during its Grand Prix this month, visitors found they were also drawn to a less obvious attraction - the historic old town. Jeddah is known for being the kingdom's modern commercial hub, and the exodus of its merchant class meant its old town had fallen into neglect. The kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and make itself less dependent on oil, however, has included revitalising culture to lure tourism revenue. Visitors who came for the F1 event found they loved the slower pace of the restored old Jeddah. Known in Arabic as al-Balad, the Town, has the feel of previous centuries with its Arabic-styled wooden architecture in brown and blue colours that reflect the city's location between the sand of the Arabian desert and the sea. "It's my first time in Saudi Arabia and the old city is very beautiful with earthly tones... and has a very particular architecture," said Rossella from Milan. Al-Balad was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2014. Since then, the government has accelerated plans to restore about 650 buildings and revive the district's local businesses. Fadil Zahir, 57, was born in the old town and works as a barista there. "Tourists and visitors are coming to al-Balad in great numbers," he said. UNESCO cited historic Jeddah as "the only surviving urban ensemble of the Red Sea," where coral stone tower houses adorned with Roshan wooden balconies stand alongside mosques as old as the advent of Islam, when the third Caliph Uthman bin Affan declared the city to be Mecca's official port. "I am 62 now, I now see what I could see 40 years back. You talk about changes, I say it's actually going back to the original," said Ahmed Alkhanbashi, a general manager at Alkhanbashi Business Development Bureau. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Saudi's Jeddah old town regains glory as the Grand Prix lures tourists
People walk through a street in the historic old city known as "Al-Balad" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani JEDDAH (Reuters) - When Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Jeddah hosted Formula One star Lewis Hamilton and U.S. singer Jennifer Lopez during its Grand Prix this month, visitors found they were also drawn to a less obvious attraction - the historic old town. Jeddah is known for being the kingdom's modern commercial hub, and the exodus of its merchant class meant its old town had fallen into neglect. The kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and make itself less dependent on oil, however, has included revitalising culture to lure tourism revenue. Visitors who came for the F1 event found they loved the slower pace of the restored old Jeddah. Known in Arabic as al-Balad, the Town, has the feel of previous centuries with its Arabic-styled wooden architecture in brown and blue colours that reflect the city's location between the sand of the Arabian desert and the sea. "It's my first time in Saudi Arabia and the old city is very beautiful with earthly tones... and has a very particular architecture," said Rossella from Milan. Al-Balad was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2014. Since then, the government has accelerated plans to restore about 650 buildings and revive the district's local businesses. Fadil Zahir, 57, was born in the old town and works as a barista there. "Tourists and visitors are coming to al-Balad in great numbers," he said. UNESCO cited historic Jeddah as "the only surviving urban ensemble of the Red Sea," where coral stone tower houses adorned with Roshan wooden balconies stand alongside mosques as old as the advent of Islam, when the third Caliph Uthman bin Affan declared the city to be Mecca's official port. "I am 62 now, I now see what I could see 40 years back. You talk about changes, I say it's actually going back to the original," said Ahmed Alkhanbashi, a general manager at Alkhanbashi Business Development Bureau. (Reporting by Hamad Mohammed Khan; Writing by Daniel Moshashai and Nayera Abdallah; editing by Barbara Lewis)
The Star
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-Madrid F1 circuit can be the world's best, says Sainz
Formula One F1 - Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 20, 2025 Williams' Carlos Sainz Jr. ahead of the race REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani MADRID (Reuters) -Madrid's Madring Formula One circuit can host the best race on the calendar when it debuts next season, according to home driver Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard told reporters on Friday that the 5.47km layout, with 22 turns, will have its own hybrid character with tight street sections and a more open area with high-speed corners. "I think we can be the best circuit in the world and the best event of the whole calendar," said the Madrid-born Williams driver, who took part in a press conference as an event ambassador. "There will be 24 or 25 races, and I honestly think along with Mexico, Miami, Las Vegas that do it very well but sincerely I trust a lot in Madrid and I believe that Madrid can do better." Local authorities said licences and paperwork were ready from Friday for building work to begin. Spanish engineering firm Acciona and France's Eiffage have won the contract to construct the circuit in an urban area in Madrid's northeast, around the IFEMA exhibition centre. It is expected to be completed by May 2026 and cost 83.2 million euros ($94.57 million), Acciona said. The Madrid circuit will eventually replace Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, currently host of the Spanish Grand Prix, which is located some 32 km from the eastern port city with a roughly 45-minute walk from the nearest station. Spain is set for an overlap next season with Madrid and Barcelona, which will be in the last year of its contract, both expected to feature. (Writing by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Christian Radnedge)
