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The Board of Directors of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, chaired by Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al Raisi, reviewed the Federation's 2026-2031 Strategy, statutes and future plans during its third meeting, held in
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Mercedes have requested a right of review after Formula One stewards carried out a penalty U-turn and reinstated Alpine's Pierre Gasly to third place at this month's Monaco Grand Prix. The Frenchman had finished third
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England head coach Brendon McCullum said he was angry but also concerned about Ben Stokes after the nightclub incident involving his captain and fast bowler Gus Atkinson that led to their omission from the second
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Iran came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their long-awaited opening game at the World Cup on Monday as European heavyweightsSpain were frustrated in a shock stalemate by tiny tournament
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Croatia’s Donna Vekic resisted a gutsy fightback by Emma Raducanu in front of a partisan crowd to claim the Queen’s Club title with a 6-0 7-6(6) win in a high-quality final on Sunday.Vekic, who got
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Opera Ballo, winner of the G1 Jebel Hatta on ‘Fashion Friday’ in January at Meydan Racecourse, lines up in Tuesday’s G1 Queen Anne Stakes – the opening race of the five-day meeting. His trainer, Charlie
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Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who made his international debut last year, made six saves as Qatar grabbed a dramatic 1-1 late equaliser against Switzerland to earn their first-ever World Cup point on Saturday. Qatar's resilience against Switzerland owed much to goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, whose key saves kept them in the game, a remarkable comeback for a player once close to retirement due to a serious back injury.The 26-year-old, who made his international debut last year, made six saves as Qatar grabbed a dramatic 1-1 late equaliser against Switzerland to earn their first-ever World Cup point.The achievement was described by Abunada, who was named Man of the Match, as "the most beautiful moment of my career".Fighting back tears as he received his award, he said "I dedicate this moment to my mother and to my family."Coach Julen Lopetegui's decision to start Abunada raised eyebrows, given his limited experience and the presence of Meshaal Barsham, a key player in Qatar's 2023 Asian Cup win.Abunada, who is of Palestinian descent, exceeded expectations in his seventh international appearance, despite the pressure of playing on the world stage against a team that had reached the round of 16 in four of their last five appearances at the tournament."He has a strong presence on the pitch and an impressive ability to challenge himself," Younes Ali, who coached him at his former club Al Arabi, said.That resilience was clear against Switzerland, as the goalkeeper bounced back from an early error in the 14th minute, when he conceded a penalty against Remo Freuler that Breel Embolo converted, to produce a string of key saves, most notably a brilliant close-range stop to deny Ruben Vargas.After being promoted to Al Arabi's first team, Abunada was called up to the Qatar national team in 2020, but struggled to secure a regular starting spot. Just as he was beginning to establish himself, he suffered a serious back injury that sidelined him for the entire 2023-24 league season, after a second surgery in Munich, Germany.His fortunes did not improve the following season, with just nine league appearances for Al Arabi, amid reports he had contemplated retirement due to his ongoing injury struggles. However, he rebounded by joining Al Rayyan for a fresh start, featuring in 20 of 22 league matches and finishing the 2025-26 season as the best goalkeeper.Abunada's determination paid off, as he became Qatar's first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup, making his major tournament debut against Switzerland."After undergoing two back surgeries, he showed great determination to become the starting goalkeeper, and he succeeded in achieving his dream," Ali said. Related Story
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Belgium's Romelu Lukaku came off the bench after the hour to force Egypt's Mohamed Hany into an own goa in Seattle. (AFP) Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their World Cup opener after a second-half Belgian equaliser spoiled Mohamed Salah's 34th birthday.Emam Ashour opened the scoring early in the first half in Seattle, before Romelu Lukaku came off the bench after the hour to force Egypt's Mohamed Hany into an own goal.With the draw, seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt's wait for a first victory at a World Cup goes on.This is their fourth participation in the global showpiece and with Group G fixtures to come against Iran and New Zealand, they will hope to break that hoodoo in North America.For Belgium, this tournament is likely the last chance for the remnants of their golden generation to better their third-placed finish in Russia eight years ago and finally win silverware.Veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Lukaku are the main protagonists of that group still involved in Rudi Garcia's squad.With all eyes in the Pacific Northwest on Salah and De Bruyne, it was the ex-Manchester City playmaker that created the first moment of note in the match when he dragged a sharp effort narrowly wide in the seventh minute.However, it was Ashour who upstaged the pair just before the hydration break when he received the ball in a similar position to De Bruyne but his sweetly-struck effort left Courtois no chance as it whistled into the bottom-right corner.It was just the second time in their history that Egypt had taken the lead in a World Cup match -- after Salah opened the scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2018.De Bruyne came within inches of levelling early in the second period when he whipped a close-range free-kick over the Egyptian wall, only to see it rocket off the outside of the post.Salah responded at the other end as he ghosted into the box but had his downward header punched away by Courtois with Ashour getting his follow-up effort all wrong.The match became stretched as both sides came close on a couple of occasions, including a screaming left-footed volley by Belgian captain Youri Tielemans.With 65 minutes gone, Rudi Garcia decided to send on Lukaku.The change immediately paid dividends as Belgium's all-time top goalscorer showed his predatory instincts to dash in on a Thomas Meunier cross, with his presence enough to destabilize Hany who put through his own net.Salah departed the field with 15 minutes remaining as Egypt sought to shut up shop and ultimately held out for a point. Related Story
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Spain's ghosts of recent World Cup horror shows reappeared in Atlanta as the European champions were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in their opening game on Monday. Lamine Yamal was left on the bench as the Barcelona superstar is eased back to fitness after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury and even his appearance as a second-half substitute failed to break down Cape Verde's dogged defence. Since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022. 'Reality has to sink in,' said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente. 'This is a World Cup. We know that some teams, on paper, they are not better than us and we thought that we were far better than them. But then it's a struggle to win.' Blessed with what coach De la Fuente claimed is the best squad in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament favourites to go all the way and lift the World Cup on July 19. But the importance of Yamal and Nico Williams to their chances of success was underlined by a flat performance. Williams also had an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not introduced until the 87th minute. Ranked 67 in the world, Cape Verde were making their debut on the global stage and did a nation of just over 500,000 people proud. In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta's state-of-the-art air conditioned stadium meant there was no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain's build-up. Indeed the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions. It took until six minutes before half-time for Spain to seriously threaten. Marc Cucurella, fresh for sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal's looping header over the bar. Torres tested Vozinha again moments later before Aymeric Laporte's header from a corner was also clawed away by the Cape Verde number one just before half-time. The break came at a good time for the Blue Sharks and they comfortably held out in the second period until Yamal's entrance after the second hydration break. Billed as one of the stars of the tournament, the 18-year-old's appearance instantly lifted the crowd and injected life into the pedestrian Spanish attack. His first involvement set up a decent opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino which was too close to Vozinha. Yamal also began the move that saw Oyarzabal's effort deflected over with Spain's best chance of the second half. Cape Verde nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simon. But even without a winner, 40-year-old Vozinha was reduced to tears at full-time as Cape Verde produced the biggest shock of the tournament so far. 'I've worked all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream,' said Vozinha, who plays for Chaves in the Portuguese second division. 'A lot of generations in the past dreamed of this, they didn't achieve it,' he added. 'The dream came true, for all of us.' Spain's road to victory in 2010 also began disappointingly with defeat to Switzerland, but they have much to work on ahead of facing Saudi Arabia in Atlanta once more on Sunday. Cape Verde next take on Uruguay in Miami.
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Ben Stokes' absence will cast a long shadow over England's bid to clinch a series victory against New Zealand when they face the Black Caps without their controversial captain this week.Stokes and Gus Atkinson were dropped for the second Test, which starts at the Oval on Wednesday, after the pair broke a midnight curfew by celebrating late into the night following England's series opening win at Lord's.The England and Wales Cricket Board are still investigating the incident in a London nightclub, which also involved Saracens rugby player Totoa Auvaa and reportedly ended with a member of the England's security staff being hit.Amid reports he could be stripped of the captaincy or even retire from international cricket, Stokes' England future has been plunged into doubt by the latest after-hours drama in his chaotic career.Stokes was cleared of charges of affray following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017, but missed an Ashes tour as a result of that incident.The 35-year-old also took a break from cricket in 2021 to prioritise his mental health. ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC PLAYERSStokes is one of the most dynamic players of his generation, but his brilliance has been marred by a self-destructive streak.His failure to appreciate the significance of being on his best behaviour after England's shambolic Ashes tour last winter does not reflect well.England were routed 4-1 in Australia, with their off-field behaviour criticised after players were seen drinking during a day off in Noosa between matches. Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand prior to the Australia leg of the tour, adding to the impression that England's players are out of control.That incident made it impossible for vice-captain Brook to replace Stokes this week, forcing to England ask Joe Root, who last captained his country in 2022, to serve as stand-in skipper.Rob Key, managing director of men's cricket at the ECB, couldn't hide his frustration about England's latest indiscretion when he spoke last week. 'NO RASH DECISIONS'"It's still very raw, certainly for Ben, (England head coach) Brendon (McCullum), myself, the ECB. Ben has been through a range of emotions, as you would do in this situation," he said."A lot of people have had phone calls where you're just in disbelief, then you get angry. There's a load of things and I'm still not sure I'm over those at the moment."Time is probably the best thing for all of us. Nobody wants to make any rash decisions."McCullum refused to be drawn on Stokes' chances of retaining the captaincy, instead focusing on the well-being of the all-rounder."Our concern is with Ben, our concern is handling that situation, making sure we look after him, that he feels supported by us and in communication with us," he told reporters at a sombre press conference on Monday."I'm worried about Ben. I'll leave it at that. Those other things will work out down the line." NEW ZEALAND LOOK TO BOUNCE BACKNew Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra insisted England's travails mean nothing to his side as they look to bouncing back after a 115-run thrashing on a treacherous pitch in the first Test.The Black Caps are dealing with a surprise absence of their own after Kane Williamson abruptly retired from international cricket.The 35-year-old - New Zealand's all-time record run scorer across all formats - featured in the first Test but will play no further part in the three-match series."There's a few things going on. It's always interesting when you are the other team and you hear news like that," Ravindra said of England's issues."But honestly we are just focused on us. Whatever happens with them, we are focusing on our cricket."Tarnished by their exiled captain's lack of restraint, it will take some time for England to restore their reputation in the eyes of the cricket public.The long road to redemption starts at the Oval. Related Story
