Oday Dabbagh shines as Palestinians depart AFC Asian Cup with heads held high

Palestine lost 2-1 to hosts and holders Qatar in the round of 16. (AFP)
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Updated 02 February 2024
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Oday Dabbagh shines as Palestinians depart AFC Asian Cup with heads held high

  • Palestine lost 2-1 to hosts and holders Qatar in the round of 16, but the Charleroi forward and his teammates exceeded expectations

With a smile etched on his face in spite of a heavily bandaged head, Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh strode through the mixed zone following his team’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Qatar on Monday.

A couple of meters away from Dabbagh, midfielder Mahmoud Abu Warda disdainfully stated “we didn’t deserve to lose, the referee did not do us justice with the penalty kick (awarded to Qatar).”

For all his success, the Charleroi attacker has made it a point to avoid the limelight in Qatar. When a journalist called out to him from the scrum of the mixed zone, “Oday, Oday! Palestine’s star,” the Jerusalemite responded by clicking his tongue disapprovingly.

“Palestine has 26 stars,” he said in a curt but friendly manner before escaping to the safe confines of the team bus.

Before turning 25 two months ago, Dabbagh notched 100 goals for his clubs in the Palestine, Kuwait, Portugal and Belgium top flights. For context, there is not a single player participating at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup that has scored more at club level before turning 25.

The forward has been addicted to scoring goals from a young age. After making his professional debut as a 16-year-old for Hilal Al-Quds he wasted no time in scoring his first goal for his hometown side. That first strike came 23 days after his 17th birthday and was crucial in helping one of Palestine’s oldest sides avoid the ignominy of relegation.

Lessons learned in that first season as a professional have served Dabbagh well.

“When I first got promoted to the first team I just did not make a big deal of it. I just did not put myself under pressure — the nature of my personality helped — I have always been a calm person. So when I started playing and scoring in the league I just never saw my opponent as being better than me,” he told Arab News.

Less than three years later after making his national team debut and playing at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Dabbagh was off to Kuwait.

“Being a part of that squad and playing important minutes against Australia and Jordan gave me confidence. Our younger players like Zaid Qunbar and Samer Zubaida from the Olympic team who played at (the 2023 Asian Cup) will also help them and be a boost to their confidence.”

In many a Jerusalem household they are talking about their native son who now plays for Charleroi in Belgium’s top tier. Every match Dabbagh has played since leaving his hometown in 2019 has been closely watched by Palestinian football fans.

His start to life abroad did not go as planned — early success was interrupted by a broken collarbone and a contractual dispute with Al-Salmiya that saw him void his contract to sign for rivals Al-Qadisiya.

The forward tested positive for COVID-19 in the summer of 2020 and Al-Qadisiya had a forgettable season. The decision was made to bring in new foreign players to the team. Dabbagh was loaned out twice and it was in the tail end of that loan stint when Dabbagh really hit his stride. Thirteen goals in 18 games for Al-Arabi made him top scorer of the league and gave the side their first title in over two decades all thanks to a player on loan to them from their biggest rivals.

As a free agent, Dabbagh eschewed more lucrative offers in Kuwait to try his luck in Europe. The first stop was Portugal where four goals in his first season helped Arouca avoid the drop. He then hit 11 goals in his encore season leading the modest side from the Aveiro District to a UEFA Conference League berth.

In spite of hitting 15 goals in 17 starts, a contractual dispute saw Dabbagh sign on a free agency with Charleroi at the start of the season. The Palestinian is currently the team’s top scorer with five goals in 19 matches across all competitions. 

Dabbagh parlayed that form into a stunning Asian Cup, inspiring his team to the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Palestine got off to a rotten start in the continental showpiece going down 1-0 to Iran after just 70 seconds. The team was down by three after 38 minutes en route to a crushing 4-1 defeat.

Palestine were much-improved against the UAE in their second game but found themselves a goal down halfway through the first half. Palestine won a penalty kick after Dabbagh was brought down in the box by Khalifa Al-Hammadi. Tamer Seyam missed the ensuing spot kick but the team found an equalizer in the second half and were unlucky not to translate their statistical dominance into three points instead of one.

That meant Palestine faced a win-or-go-home match against Hong Kong. The scenario was similar to the one the team faced going into their last group stage game at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup. This time though Palestine romped to a 3-0 victory.

Did Dabbagh and his teammates feel the pressure?

“As far as the Hong Kong game is concerned I just tried to keep things light. Stay with my group of friends and chat about anything but the game,” Dabbagh said.

“I just try to do my best. I go into the game and do what is asked of me. Reading stuff in the press is useless, it will just put you under pressure. The team was super focused going into the game and we played really well which gave us a good result.”

The win over Hong Kong featured a brace from the Charleroi forward. So resounding was their victory, the team was set to advance to the round of 16 as runners-up in the group only for a late goal by the UAE in their 2-1 loss to Iran that forced them to settle for third place.

With the background of the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza, Dabbagh and the rest of the team felt a unique responsibility to bring a modicum of relief and joy to the Palestinian people.

Every goal scored has featured muted celebrations highlighted by the players holding their hands crossed above their heads.

That was the case again when Dabbagh bamboozled the Qatari defense to give Palestine a surprise lead against the hosts and holders.

“It was a mix of emotions, a cross between happiness for scoring and sadness for what is happening in Palestine — you can never forget about that,” he said.

In spite of the loss, Al-Fida’i have not let their heads drop and are now focused on 2026 World Cup qualifying.

“This is just going to push me to score more goals with the national team,” said Dabbagh.


Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi

Updated 06 July 2025
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Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi

  • Euro 2024 winner Martin Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid

LONDON: Arsenal on Sunday announced the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad after they reportedly triggered his £51 million ($70 million) release clause.

Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi had previously been a target for Liverpool and was also linked with Real Madrid.

“This is a huge moment in my career,” said the defensive midfielder, who is understood to have put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

“It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realize how big this club and this team are.

“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”

The BBC reported the deal is worth almost £60 million, with Arsenal opting to pay more than the release clause in order to spread the cost of the fee.

Zubimendi, 26, made 236 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad after graduating from the club’s academy and has played 19 times for Spain.

He will reinforce manager Mikel Arteta’s midfield options after Thomas Partey’s contract expired and Jorginho left the club.

Zubimendi’s arrival paves the way for Arsenal’s record-signing Declan Rice to play a more attacking midfield role alongside captain Martin Odegaard.

“Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,” said Arteta.

“He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.”

Zubimendi is Arsenal’s second signing of the summer transfer window after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Chelsea as they seek to improve on three consecutive second-placed Premier League finishes.

The Gunners are also expected to complete the signing of midfielder Christian Norgaard from Brentford.

Attention will now turn to the forward line as Arsenal try to see off Liverpool and Manchester City and claim a first league title since 2003/04.

Arteta’s men had to cope without a natural striker for much of last season due to long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres are reportedly the two leading candidates to fill the need for a new number nine.


Heavy rain falls ahead of the British Grand Prix, with Verstappen on pole

Updated 06 July 2025
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Heavy rain falls ahead of the British Grand Prix, with Verstappen on pole

  • If the rain continues, it will mix up teams’ strategies for the race
  • Saturday’s qualifying and all three practice sessions were run in dry conditions

SILVERSTONE, England: Persistent heavy rain fell at Silverstone on Sunday morning ahead of the British Grand Prix as reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen prepared to start on pole position, with title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris close behind.

If the rain continues, it will mix up teams’ strategies for the race. Saturday’s qualifying and all three practice sessions were run in dry conditions.

Red Bull’s Verstappen had struggled in practice but found extra pace in qualifying to take pole ahead of McLaren’s Piastri and Norris, who both made small but costly mistakes.

It could be a hectic fight for the win with Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari all showing strong pace in qualifying, with the top six cars covered by just 0.229 of a second.

The leading contenders are using contrasting setups which mean different strengths and weaknesses at various points on the track. Verstappen’s car in particular sacrifices grip through the corners for top speed on the straights.

Piastri leads the standings by 15 points from Norris, the winner of last week’s Austrian Grand Prix, with Verstappen a distant third, 61 points off the lead.


Shubman Gill, the ‘Prince’ who is now India’s new cricket king

Updated 06 July 2025
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Shubman Gill, the ‘Prince’ who is now India’s new cricket king

  • Gill becomes first batter in 148 years of Test history to make scores of 250, 150 in same match
  • He succeeded Rohit Sharma as India captain after the latter announced Test retirement in May

Birmingham, United Kingdom: India captain Shubman Gill continued to give fresh meaning to the phrase “leading from the front” with a stunning innings of 161 in the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston on Saturday.

The 25-year-old’s second century of the match took his overall tally for the game to 430 runs, a figure bettered by India great Sachin Tendulkar, Test cricket’s all-time leading run-scorer, just three times in a series, let alone a match, during his celebrated career.

Following his commanding 269 in the first innings, Gill also became the first batsman in 148 years of Test history to make score of 250 and 150 in the same match.

All that came after Gill’s 147 in his first Test as captain, India’s five-wicket loss in last week’s series opener at Headingley.

But beyond the statistics, it is the way Gill has played that has impressed seasoned observers.
In the first innings at Edgbaston, he batted in near flawless-fashion for eight-and-a-half hours, with his offside driving standing comparison with cricket’s most elegant batsmen.

But in the second innings, with quick runs required to set up a declaration, Gill made 161 off just 162 balls, including 13 fours and eight sixes.

India are now well-placed given England, with seven wickets standing, still need a mammoth 536 more runs on Sunday’s final day to achieve what would be a Test record fourth-innings victory chase of 608.

“Gill is outrageous,” England fast-bowling great Stuart Broad, well used to working out world-class batsmen during a career that yielded 604 Test wickets, told Sky Sports after Saturday’s close.

“As a bowler, I’d be looking for technical things so I could expose him, but he’s not shown any obvious signs of dismissal and he’s played stylishly. He’s played with huge responsibility, under big pressure.

“It’s breathtaking... He deserves all the applause he will get.”

Gill was drafted into India’s under-19 side as for their victorious 2018 World Cup campaign, shortly after scoring a century for Punjab in just his second first-class Ranji Trophy match.

He made his one-day international debut in 2019, but it was in his first Test series, in Australia in 2020/21, that he came to the fore, notably with a fluent 91 in India’s thrilling series-clinching win at the Gabba.

His first Test hundred came a year later, in Chattogram. A month later, aged 23, he became the youngest to make an ODI double-century, smashing 208 off 149 balls against New Zealand.

Born in Fazilka, near the border with Pakistan, before moving to Mohali aged eight to be nearer better cricket facilities, the nickname ‘Prince’ has clung to Gill to the extent of sometimes appearing on his bat-stickers.

An opener and then a number three, Gill now occupies the number four position held by childhood hero Virat Kohli, with his 269 surpassing Kohli’s unbeaten 254 against South Africa in Pune in 2019 as the highest score by an India Test captain.

As a boy, Gill wanted to know what Kohli’s scores and achievements were when he was his age.

And when Kohli first saw Gill in the nets in New Zealand in 2019/20, he said he didn’t even have 10 percent of the talent when he was Gill’s age.

Yet last year, when England went 1-0 up in Hyderabad, a second-innings duck saw Gill’s Test average fall below 30 for the first time.

But then India coach Rahul Dravid, himself an outstanding batsman, resisted the temptation to drop Gill, who then made a second-innings century in a 106-run win in Visakhapatnam and another, in Dharamshala, during a series India won 4-1.

Gill succeeded Rohit Sharma as India captain after the latter announced his retirement from Test cricket in May, with ‘King’ Kohli calling time on his Test career just a few days later.

A few months ago, when asked about potential leaders, Rohit said “the boys aren’t ready yet.”

But Gill, who started this series with a modest Test average of under 36, looks as if he might be now.


NEOM’s new head coach: ‘I am excited to be part of the big Saudi project’

Updated 06 July 2025
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NEOM’s new head coach: ‘I am excited to be part of the big Saudi project’

  • Christophe Galtier left Qatari club Al-Duhail SC in May
  • The team have been busy preparing for the 2025-2026 campaign

TABUK: Newly promoted to the Saudi football League, NEOM Sports Club announced on Saturday the appointment of French head coach Christophe Galtier as their new manager.

Galtier left Qatari club Al-Duhail SC in May after two years as head coach where he guided them to the 2024-2025 Qatari Stars Cup.

The Frenchman won two Ligue 1 titles as a manager, coaching Lille OSC to the trophy in 2020-2021 and Paris Saint-Germain in 2022-2023, his only season in charge of Les Parisiens.

In a message on NEOM SC’s social media on Saturday, Galtier said: “I am really excited to be part of this big Saudi project. Happy to join one of the best leagues in the world. I cannot wait to write the story of NEOM Football Club.”

The team have been busy preparing for the 2025-2-26 campaign: this week they announced the signings of former Arsenal and Olympique Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazatte, Ivorian midfielder Amadou Kone and former Al Fayha defender Faris Abdi.

The club, based in Tabuk, was promoted to the Saudi Pro League at the end of last season, after finishing top of the Saudi First Division.


Davis Thompson makes late birdie to break out of a logjam and lead John Deere

Updated 06 July 2025
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Davis Thompson makes late birdie to break out of a logjam and lead John Deere

  • He will try to become the first player to win back-to-back at the John Deere Classic since Steve Stricker won three in a row from 2009 through 2011
  • Of the top 14 players, only Lipsky, Koivun and Kevin Roy have yet to win on the PGA Tour

SILVIS, Illinois:Davis Thompson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole Saturday to break out of a logjam that at one point featured 10 players tied for the lead, giving him a 4-under 67 on a much tougher golf course and a one-shot lead in the John Deere Classic.

Thompson was among five players tied for the lead when he stood over his final putt, after Brian Campbell had just holed a 30-foot birdie putt.

His final birdie put him at 15-under 198, one shot ahead of Campbell, Max Homa, Emiliano Grillo and David Lipsky, each of whom had a 68.

About the only player not in the mix was 36-hole leader Doug Ghim, who played his last 10 holes with two bogeys and no birdies and shot 74, pushing him outside the top 20.

Thompson had a birdie-birdie finish, though he missed an 8-foot eagle attempt on the par-5 17th hole. He will try to become the first player to win back-to-back at the John Deere Classic since Steve Stricker won three in a row from 2009 through 2011.

Also at stake for Thompson is a chance to get into the British Open, as a victory would move him to the top of the alternate list determined by the next world ranking.

But the final 18 holes feels a lot longer off considering how many players are very much in the mix going into Sunday.

“Nice to have some momentum going into tomorrow,” Thompson said.

Camilo Villegas (69) and Austin Eckroat (67) were among four players three shots behind. Matt Kuchar (67) and Auburn junior Jackson Koivun were in the group four back. Thirteen players were within four shots of the lead.

Of the top 14 players, only Lipsky, Koivun and Kevin Roy have yet to win on the PGA Tour. Homa is the most proven of the lot, though he has been trying to pull himself out of a deep slump that has left him on the outside of just trying to make the PGA Tour playoffs this year.

Homa was steady again, even after one of his rare misses. He was some 40 yards left of the green at the par-5 10th, even going across the road, but managed to escape with par and then took advantage of the scoring holes on the back nine for his 68.

Homa last won on the PGA Tour in January 2023 at Torrey Pines. He has been under scrutiny this year for his poor form — more than a year since his last top 10 — while changing coaches, equipment and twice changing caddies.

“Golf has just been very boring for me this year. I haven’t had a whole lot of stress, and you want to be stressed out. So I look forward to the butterflies in the morning; I look forward to the first tee shot,” Homa said. “It’s just nice to get to feel that again. It’s been a while.”

This was not the same TPC Deere Run that yielded low scores over the opening two rounds. The starting times were moved up to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, and hot weather and wind combined to make the greens firmer and fasters. Plus, several of the pins were tucked along the edges, punishing misses on the wrong side.

No one shot lower than 66 in the third round. There were 28 scores of 65 or better over the opening two rounds.

“Certainly makes for a fun Sunday when a bunch of guys have a chance,” Kuchar said.

One of them is Koivun, still four shots back but with a chance to make it two years in a row with an amateur winning on the PGA Tour. Nick Dunlap won The American Express last year in January and left Alabama to turn pro, having $20 million signature events to play.

Koivun already is assured a PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University accelerated program, but is deferring that to return to Auburn.

“It’s obviously very inspiring to see what he did about a year ago now,” Koivun said. “Obviously, to be one of the few (amateurs) to win a professional event would be great. At the end of the day I just got to go give it my best shot and be happy with the result.”