US holds off Australia for 98-92 win in Olympics tuneup in Abu Dhabi

US Olympic team’s strength is its depth, coach Steve Kerr said. (AP)
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Updated 16 July 2024
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US holds off Australia for 98-92 win in Olympics tuneup in Abu Dhabi

  • The US led by 24 midway through the third quarter, yet saw that lead cut to six with 5:05 left after Australia went on a 39-21 run

There was a lot for the US Olympic team to like on Monday. And a lot not to like.
Anthony Davis scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton came up with a pair of late 3-pointers that helped stop a freefall by the Americans, and the US beat Australia 98-92 on Monday to improve to 2-0 in its five-game slate of exhibitions leading into the Paris Olympics.
Devin Booker scored 16 for the US, Anthony Edwards scored 14 and three players — LeBron James, Bam Adebayo and Joel Embiid — finished with 10 for the Americans, who are playing host to a pair of exhibitions at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this week. They’ll play Serbia there on Wednesday.
Jock Landale scored 20 for Australia, which got 17 from Josh Giddey and 14 from Dyson Daniels.
The US led by 24 midway through the third quarter, yet saw that lead cut to six with 5:05 left after Australia went on a 39-21 run. But Haliburton had the next six points on his 3s, pushing the lead back to 92-80.
Australia cut it to four on two separate occasions, but Booker went 4-for-4 from the line in the final 8 seconds to ensure the US would escape.
“Third quarter, we started turning the ball over,” US coach Steve Kerr said. “We gave up a ton of points at the basket. Back cuts, offensive boards and so, the game shifted. It’s a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later. And this will be a good tape for us to watch. But I give Australia a ton of credit. They were great. They fought. They were really physical. Took it to us in the last quarter and a half and really made it a game.”
Second unit, again
Just like in the Canada game, the so-called second unit — Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Adebayo, Davis and Booker — changed the game.
That was the group on the floor when the Americans took a game that was tied at 19-19 with 3:15 left in the first and turned it into a 39-23 lead — a 20-4 run in a span of just over 5 minutes.
Kerr used that group as his starting five to open the second half. But it’s become a clear trend already: when the US goes to its bench and can replace All-Stars with other All-Stars, it’s just going to be a massive problem for opponents who don’t have anywhere near that same level of depth.
“The strength of our team is our depth and we have to utilize our depth,” Kerr said.
It’s been something the Americans have used to their advantage in the past. Dwyane Wade led the gold-medalist 2008 US Olympic team in points, even though he was sixth in minutes on that team and came off the bench in all eight games.
Turnovers
Here’s the big trouble sign right now for the US: turnovers.
FIBA games are shorter than NBA games, 40 minutes instead of 48 minutes. That means there are fewer possessions and makes it even more imperative to not give the ball away.
Which the Americans did. A lot.
After committing 15 turnovers in last week’s exhibition win over Canada, the US had 18 giveaways on Monday and Australia used them to fuel the comeback effort — getting 25 points off turnovers in the second half alone.
“Our turnovers, it’s all about focus and execution,” Davis said.
Injury watch
Kevin Durant missed his second consecutive game because of a calf strain, and with only one practice between games it wouldn’t seem likely that he plays Wednesday against Serbia either.
Derrick White, who arrived in Abu Dhabi over the weekend and got into his first practice with the team on Sunday, also didn’t play. White replaced Kawhi Leonard — who deals with knee issues — on the US roster after the Americans determined last week that it wasn’t in Leonard’s best interest to play this summer.


Frankfurt sign Japan winger Ritsu Doan for its Champions League return

Updated 57 min 11 sec ago
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Frankfurt sign Japan winger Ritsu Doan for its Champions League return

  • Doan joins on a five-year contract from fellow German club Freiburg
  • “I’m very happy and honored to be here,” he said in a translated video message to Frankfurt fans

FRANKFURT: Eintracht Frankfurt have signed Japanese winger Ritsu Doan to strengthen a squad depleted by the sale of Hugo Ekitiké as they prepare to return to the Champions League.

Doan joins on a five-year contract from fellow German club Freiburg, where he was top scorer with 10 goals as the team placed fifth in the Bundesliga.

“I’m very happy and honored to be here,” Doan said in a translated video message to Frankfurt fans. “I can’t wait to play in front of the supporters.”

Frankfurt are heading back to the Champions League this season after a third-place Bundesliga finish but will have a new-look attack after striker Ekitiké was sold to Liverpool for a fee of 69 million pounds ($93.5 million).

The 27-year-old Doan will be expected to team up with another new signing for Ekitiké’s center-forward role, ex-Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt.

Doan won the Dutch Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 2022 and has played 57 games for the Japanese national team. That includes all of its games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and a role in securing qualification for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Doan could make his Frankfurt debut Aug. 17 in a German Cup game against fifth-tier Engers. Frankfurt’s first Bundesliga game of the season is six days later at home to Werder Bremen.


Ex-international footballer dubbed ‘Pele of Palestine’ dies in Israeli Gaza raid

Updated 07 August 2025
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Ex-international footballer dubbed ‘Pele of Palestine’ dies in Israeli Gaza raid

  • Palestinian Football Association mourned the death of Suleiman Al-Obaid on X saying he was killed in an Israeli strike targeting civilians
  • Eric Cantona condemns ‘genocide’ by Israel over the killing on Instagram

BEIRUT: A Palestinian former footballer, who was once nicknamed ‘Pele of Palestine,’ died on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike at a Gaza aid distribution center while queuing for food for his five children.

The Palestinian Football Association mourned the death of Suleiman Al-Obaid, who played for the national team, Khadamat Al-Shati Club and other local clubs, on their X handle.

“The former Palestine national team player Al-Obaid was killed in an Israeli strike targeting civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip,” wrote the PFA.

It said in a media statement that 41-year-old Al-Obaid was regarded as one of the most talented attacking midfielders to play in the Gaza Strip League and was nicknamed “Pele of Palestine.”

French former player Eric Cantona condemned the killing of Al-Obaid on Instagram.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Eric Cantona (@ericcantona)

“He was named « The Pelé of Palestine » HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM COMMIT THIS GENOCIDE??? FREE PALESTINE,” the former Manchester United forward wrote.

Palestinian former national football star Jamal Al-Khatib mourned Al-Obaid’s “saddening death” and paid tribute to his family, former clubmates and PFA.

“Gazans have been suffering a lot because of Israel’s unstoppable atrocities. Thousands have martyred, including many footballers. Al-Obaid’s death is a tragic loss for the Palestinian football community,” Al-Khatib told Arab News on Thursday.

The former Al-Nijme and Al-Ansar forward added that people from all levels of society, including footballers and athletes, have been paying a hefty price for what Al-Khatib described by “murderous Israeli attacks on hungry civilians.”

According to the PFA, Al-Obaid represented the national team 19 times in the Asian Cup, Pan Arab Games, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and other friendlies. His debut was against Iraq in the West Asia Championship in 2007 and his last match was against Qatar in 2013.

Besides playing for Khadamat Al-Shati, he also played for Shabab Al-Amari and Gaza Sport, in positions including centre forward, right winger and right midfielder.

A father of two sons and three daughters, Al-Obaid scored 17 goals when he played for Gaza Sport and won the top scorer title in the Southern Governorates Premier League in the 2015-2016 season.

With Khadamat Al-Shati he won the league’s top scorer title in the 2016-2017 season, scoring 15 goals.

The number of dead from the Palestinian Football Association has reached 321, including players, coaches, administrators, referees, and club board members.


Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters set to begin in Jeddah

Updated 07 August 2025
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Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters set to begin in Jeddah

  • Second richest tournament on 2025 World Snooker Tour takes place at Green Halls from Aug. 8-16

JEDDAH: The 2025 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters begins on Aug. 8 at the Green Halls in Jeddah and boasts the participation of 128 World Snooker Tour players.

Joined by 16 wild cards from Saudi Arabia, the international field will be competing for a prize fund in excess of £2 million, making it the second-richest tournament on the 2025 WST. It concludes on Aug. 16.

Steve Dawson, WST’s chairman, said: “We are excited to stage the event in Jeddah for the first time and to bring the all-time greatest players to new fans.

“Our expansion into Saudi Arabia is a huge step forward for snooker and a key element in our strategy to develop our sport globally. We are working closely with our partners in the region on the ambition to develop our sport at all levels, from the elite major events to grassroots participation. In years to come we would love to see professional players and even tournament winners from Saudi Arabia.”

Judd Trump won the first edition of the event last year in Riyadh, beating Mark Williams 10-9 in the final.


Alhada Cup to headline Taif racing’s week three

Updated 07 August 2025
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Alhada Cup to headline Taif racing’s week three

  • Trial winner Falah Zain bids to follow up in main event at King Khalid Racecourse on Saturday
  • Many familiar names will take to the track in Friday’s feature, the 2,000m Al-Shafa Cup Prep Open with a full field of 18 declared

TAIF: Racing returns to King Khalid Racecourse this weekend with recent comeback winner Falah Zain (Saudi Arabia) set for a crack at the SR150,000 ($40,000) prize in Saturday’s feature Alhada Cup Local Bred Horses Open.

Trained by in the in-form Thamer Al-Daihani and ridden by Muhammad Aldaham for Kuwaiti owner Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Almalek Alsabah, the colt landed the trial for this on the first weekend of racing last month — and now faces 11 rivals in the final event restricted to three-year-olds over 1,400m.

Saudi Cup weekend form will be on display as the Ahmed Alshaia-trained Karimi, the mount of Abdulaziz Alfouraidi, bids to advertise the form of his runaway win in the Sarawat Cup.

However, he was only eighth in the trial two weeks ago behind Zain, and also has to reverse form with the runner-up, Fallat Kheir (Saudi Arabia) for jockey Abdullah Alfairouz, trainer Ahmed Mohamoud and the powerful white stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons.

The daughter of Prospect Park boasts strong form, having been beaten less than three lengths in the Fillies Mile on Saudi Cup on Friday.

Another name to note on Saturday is Lacy Des Vialettes (France) who makes her return to action for trainer Mustafa Almosa in the opening Arabian Horses Fillies Open over 1600m.

Jockey Aseel Alsarhani’s mount was unbeaten in three starts at Taif last season, before winning in Riyadh and then losing her unbeaten tag behind the legendary Tilal AI-Khalediah in the Group 1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic. She could have a lot more to offer this campaign.

Many familiar names will take to the track in Friday’s feature, the 2,000m Al-Shafa Cup Prep Open with a full field of 18 declared.

This could arguably be the most absorbing event of the weekend with the eight-year-old Almaan (US) making his return to action for trainer Gaith Alghaith and jockey Abdullah Alawfi following a string of high-class efforts in Riyadh earlier this year, including fifth places to Rattle N Roll in The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Scotland Yard in the Tuwaiq Cup.

Derevo (Great Britain) was seventh in the Tuwaiq and reopposes for handler Hadi Gharawi, while Al-Daihani is represented by the highly tried Western City (US) for jockey Mohammad Alhubail and the Muhammad Aldaham-ridden National Gallery (Ireland).


Emotions engulf Oval as England, India play out classic

Updated 07 August 2025
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Emotions engulf Oval as England, India play out classic

  • Match, arguably series, will be placed in category of best ever, play going to fifth day in all 5 Tests

The sight of Chris Woakes emerging from the dressing room to walk gingerly down the stairs to the field of play at The Oval was one of pathos. He is not normally England’s No. 11 batter but, this time, injury dictated his position. Having fallen awkwardly and painfully on the third day in a valiant attempt to prevent a boundary being scored, he suffered a dislocated shoulder which prevented him from taking any further part in the match — until that moment, the last throw of the dice.

My vantage point at the top of the pavilion allowed me to watch England’s supporters rise to applaud his courage, their emotions raised by the fact that there was hope that their team might still win. Another 17 runs were required. In truth, Woakes cut a sad figure. His left shoulder had been heavily strapped across his chest in a sling underneath his pullover. His bat was held limply in his right hand. Surely it was inconceivable that he would have to or should be allowed to face a single delivery. So began a game of cat and mouse, the final sub-plot in a match packed full of them.

Woakes joined Gus Atkinson, who was eight not out and on strike. They had a long conversation. Shubman Gill, India’s inexperienced captain, directed his fielders with authority. They were sent deep to the boundary to persuade Atkinson to take a single. This was something he was unlikely to do, unless it was the last ball of the over. Instead, he needed to score in twos, fours or sixes, much easier to say than do. However, off the second ball of the 83rd over, he struck the ball toward the boundary, straight to a fielder, who was not standing on the boundary’s edge. Straining backwards, the ball passed through his hands and over the boundary for six runs, eliciting wild cheers from England supporters and groans from the Indians.

Atkinson swiped at the next three deliveries but failed to score. In order to keep the strike, he needed to take a single off the over’s final delivery. Gill brought in the fielders to try and stop that happening. Atkinson missed the ball, which went through to the wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. Woakes was already on his way to striker’s end, running as best he could. Jurel rolled the ball towards the stumps, but the ball missed them and Woakes was home, to the delirium of English supporters and questioning looks from Indian fielders.

Ten runs were needed at the beginning of the 84th over. Atkinson managed two from the first ball, missed the next four and hit the sixth one for one, the field having been left deep, presumably for fear that Atkinson might score a boundary. Woakes grimaced in pain with each step that he had to make. The tension had now reached fever pitch. England needed seven runs to win, the field set deep to protect the boundary, which Atkinson needed to breach. This he tried to do off the first ball of Mohammed Siraj’s over, but missed and was bowled to begin India’s victory party. It was the narrowest-ever victory for India in a Test match and had been snatched from the jaws of defeat.

At 3:39 on the fourth day England had reached 301 for three wickets, largely thanks to a 194-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook. Root delivered a masterclass in how to bat, a model for anyone watching live or on screen. Brook is supremely talented and, with Root, was winning the match for England. He had reached a century but, instead of reining in to guide his team to victory with another 73 runs required, he chose to go on the rampage; as if to say to India, I am going to crush you. He seems to have a self-destructive streak and here it came to the fore. In another attempt to smash a boundary, he succeeded only in skying the ball, to be caught, while losing control of his bat, which also went skywards.

This action is very much in the image of the English team’s philosophy of playing aggressive cricket at all times, of taking the attack to the opposition. This has provided entertaining, even reckless, cricket. Brook’s failed gamble opened the door for India, whose body language suggested that they had begun to wilt. Visibly buoyed, they wrested the advantage away from England. False shots by Jacob Bethel and, of all people, Root caused English hopes to falter.

In addition to the emotions generated by the passages of play, Root, on reaching his century, removed his helmet and pointed to the sky. This was in reference to Graham Thorpe, one of his mentors and coaches, whose life ended a year ago in a tragic manner. Funds had been raised during the match for a mental health awareness charity. Donors received a replica of the headband characteristically worn by Thorpe.

Root’s dismissal rendered England 337 for six. Shortly afterwards, deteriorating light and then rain caused the umpires to halt play. A lack of improvement in the conditions led to play being ended for the day. Cricket does have the capacity to infuriate with what appear to be overcautious delays to play by officials. On this occasion, given the tantalizing balance of the match, England needing 35 runs for victory and India four wickets, it seemed the right outcome. Who knows what the outcome would have been if play had been able to continue, compared with the drama which unfolded the following morning. 

By common accord, this Test match and, probably, the whole series will be placed in the category of best ever. It went to the fifth day in all five Tests, the first time since 2014, and it may be seen on a par with the famous fifth Test against Australia in 2005.

Although the series was drawn 2-2, many non-English and, more than likely, most Indian observers and supporters regard India as the winners. A part of this judgment stems from the view that England tried to occupy the moral high ground in matters relating to “the spirit of cricket.” This was especially the case at Manchester where the English players belittled the Indians for refusing to accept the offer of a draw, so that two batters could complete centuries.

Certainly there has been acrimony in the heat of fierce contests. Players have pushed the laws and conditions of play to the limits. Their bodies have also been pushed to the limits. This is largely a function of cramming five Tests into the space of just over five weeks, as was also the case in 2024. The decision to do so is to enable the England and Wales Cricket Board to allocate the whole of August to The Hundred. It is little wonder that, already, several England players have withdrawn on fitness grounds.

There seems little chance that the schedules will be relaxed in the immediate future. In turn this has served to reignite the issue of injury substitutes in Test cricket. It is a polarizing issue with layers of complexity. England’s captain is dead set against the idea. It would be interesting to know how many people who agree with him may have wavered in their opinion when they witnessed Woakes taking the field in pain and discomfort, ultimately in a failed cause.