Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh targets striking success with Aberdeen

Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh targets striking success with Aberdeen
Palestine international Oday Dabbagh’s, right, loan to Aberdeen comes with an option to buy in the region of $1m that can be triggered at the end of the season. (AFP)
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Updated 13 February 2025
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Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh targets striking success with Aberdeen

Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh targets striking success with Aberdeen
  • After stints in Kuwait, Portugal and Belgium, the 26-year-old forward has joined the Scottish Premiership club on a loan deal with an option to buy

AMSTERDAM: Scoring goals is arguably the hardest task in football, but for new Aberdeen signing and Palestine international Oday Dabbagh that has been the easy part.

His first professional goal came at his hometown club Hilal Al-Quds three weeks after he turned 17. Nine years later, Dabbagh’s performances have landed him a spot in the Scottish Premiership via Kuwait, Portugal and Belgium.

A difficult six months saw Dabbagh limited to an average of 32 minutes across 15 league appearances for Charleroi this season. When he netted his first goal of the campaign against Standard Liege in November he earned a point for his club and the ire of his own fans after making a shushing gesture towards them.

In the aftermath, Palestine’s all-time leading scorer was limited to just 36 minutes in four appearances and shortly after all parties agreed that a change of scenery would be best.

The loan to Aberdeen, engineered in the last days of the winter transfer window, comes with an option to buy in the region of $1m that can be triggered at the end of the season. The forward’s exploits were well known to the club’s head of recruitment, Nuno de Almeida, who was at Rio Ave and watched the then-unknown Palestinian’s goals lift Arouca from the relegation zone to Europe in just two seasons.

Commenting on his move to the Scottish Premiership, Dabbagh said: “I am very happy to be joining AFC and look forward to meeting my teammates, the coaches and people around the club. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am hopeful I will repay the trust everyone has shown in me with good performances for the team.”

The 26-year-old has faced plenty of adversity since leaving Hilal Al-Quds in 2019. A turbulent first year abroad in Kuwait saw him suffer a broken collarbone, contract COVID-19 and play for three different clubs. The scar tissue from that time laid the foundation for success as his sophomore campaign saw him lead Al-Arabi to their first league title in two decades. His parent club, Al-Qadsia, could only watch as a player they deemed surplus to requirements mere months earlier won the competition’s Golden Boot.

Dabbagh’s resilience was further tested in Arouca when visa issues caused his debut to be delayed by several weeks. It made little difference, with the player finding the net on his third appearance for the club after just 34 minutes on the pitch. A haul of four goals and an assist in his first season netted four points for the club, which escaped the relegation playoffs by a meager two points.

In his second year at Arouca, a contractual dispute hampered an otherwise fine season that concluded with 11 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions. Dabbagh signed a pre-contract with Charleroi in February 2023 and was promptly frozen out of Arouca’s squad.

Dabbagh’s response was once again emphatic. He enjoyed his best spell with Charleroi early in the 2023/24 season, with five goal involvements over the first 10 match days.

Aberdeen FC supporters will hope lightning can strike twice. Dabbagh leaves Charleroi feeling hard done by the club’s decisions over the last year; he had not envisioned a substitute’s role after finishing the previous season as the club’s top scorer.

On paper, the move to Aberdeen is a match made in heaven. The player needs minutes and the club needs goals, scoring just one in their last eight Scottish Premiership matches. The Dons have been in a malaise stretching back to last November, wasting a near-perfect start to their season — they collected 31/33 points in their first 11 matches.

“Oday is a clinical finisher who has an exceptional work ethic and his combative qualities will be a real asset for us,” Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin told the club’s official website.

“He has a strong personality both on and off the pitch and we believe he will be a positive addition, adding another dimension to our attacking options as we work to get back to winning ways.”

In spite of his struggles at Charleroi, Dabbagh has achieved a lot in the past 14 months. Dabbagh joined elite company in 2023, becoming only the 10th Asian player to score more than 100 goals for club and country before turning 25. The list of luminaries features Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia), Abdul Kadir (Indonesia), Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia), Cha Bum-Kun (South Korea), Fandi Ahmad (Singapore), Bader Al-Mutawa, Bashar Abdullah (both Kuwait), Ali Mabkhout (UAE) and Omar Al-Somah (Syria).

Dabbagh could debut for Aberdeen at Dundee United on Saturday, when a good start will send expectations soaring.

Six goals for Palestine in 2024 helped propel the team to new heights at the Asian Cup and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. If Dabbagh can get the game time he craves at Aberdeen in 2025, it could result in a return to form and trouble for Palestine’s Group B rivals.


Uzbekistan earn first World Cup qualification, Australia, Jordan close in

Uzbekistan earn first World Cup qualification, Australia, Jordan close in
Updated 16 sec ago
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Uzbekistan earn first World Cup qualification, Australia, Jordan close in

Uzbekistan earn first World Cup qualification, Australia, Jordan close in
Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a victory that puts Australia’s celebrations on hold
Jordan also moved to the cusp of qualification as Ali Olwan’s hat-trick delivered a 3-0 win over Oman

HONG KONG: Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup for the first time on Thursday as a 0-0 draw with the UAE confirmed the nation’s progress to next year’s finals as Australia and Jordan moved to the verge of booking berths in North America.

Aziz Behich’s 90th minute strike earned the Socceroos a 1-0 win over already-qualified Japan in Perth in Group C to keep Tony Popovic’s side three points clear of Saudi Arabia, who won 2-0 against Bahrain in Riffa.

Goals from Musab Al-Juwayr and Abdulrahman Al-Obud earned Saudi Arabia a victory that puts Australia’s celebrations on hold until the two nations meet in Jeddah on Tuesday.

But Australia’s vastly superior goal difference means they can lose that meeting with the Saudis by up to four goals and still advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup finals as second-placed finishers behind the Japanese.

Jordan also moved to the cusp of qualification as Ali Olwan’s hat-trick delivered a 3-0 win over Oman in Muscat to leave Jamal Sellami’s side waiting for the result from South Korea’s clash with Iraq in Basra later on Thursday in Group B.

Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a string of second-half saves in Abu Dhabi to frustrate the UAE and earn his nation their first World Cup qualification since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Abbosbek Fayzullaev had hit the crossbar with a 54th minute header for the visitors but it was Yusupov who frustrated the Cosmin Olaroiu-coached Emiratis, who needed to win to maintain their hopes of automatic qualification.

The draw means the UAE will now progress to the fourth round of qualifying as the point earned guarantees a third- or fourth-placed finish in Group A.

Indonesia guaranteed their involvement in the World Cup preliminaries would continue into the fourth round as a 1-0 win over China also ended the qualification hopes of Branko Ivankovic’s side.

Ole Romeny’s 45th minute penalty separated the sides in Jakarta to ensure Indonesia would finish in either third or fourth place in Group C, thereby progressing to the next phase, which will be played in October.

Saudi Arabia’s PIF named as partner for FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Saudi Arabia’s PIF named as partner for FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Updated 59 min 54 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s PIF named as partner for FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Saudi Arabia’s PIF named as partner for FIFA Club World Cup 2025
  • Sides say deal reflects ‘shared vision to enable greater participation in sports’
  • PIF ‘creating a legacy of transformative impact in sports,’ corporate brand head says

ZURICH/RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will be an official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which gets underway in the US later this month.

The partnership was described in a joint statement by FIFA and PIF as evidence of the two sides’ “shared vision to enable greater participation in sports by unlocking new opportunities, fostering innovation and engaging fans around the world.”

PIF’s Head of Corporate Brand Mohammed Al-Sayyad said: “PIF is creating a legacy of transformative impact in sports including through its partnerships, delivering positive and lasting results at every level, from players and fans to host communities.”

The deal with FIFA comes after the sovereign wealth fund last year announced a partnership deal with CONCACAF, football’s governing body for the Americas and Caribbean.

Saudi Arabia was also earlier named as the host of the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

Talking about the club tournament, Romy Gai, FIFA’s chief business officer, said: “Together, we look forward to delivering a historic tournament that inspires and unites fans from around the world.”

Speaking of the partners for the event, which runs from June 14 to July 13, he said: “Their support of the tournament will not only be integral to its success but will underpin investment in supporting the development of club football everywhere.”

This year marks a new chapter for the tournament, with 32 teams taking part, up from just seven in previous events. A total of 63 matches will be held across 11 cities, with the final set to take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

All of the games will be livestreamed for free on DAZN.com. More information about ticket options is available from FIFA.com/tickets.


New Rangers boss Martin aims to win over fans as he targets Celtic crown

New Rangers boss Martin aims to win over fans as he targets Celtic crown
Updated 05 June 2025
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New Rangers boss Martin aims to win over fans as he targets Celtic crown

New Rangers boss Martin aims to win over fans as he targets Celtic crown
  • The 39-year-old former Southampton manager has the daunting task of toppling champions Celtic
  • Martin guided Saints to promotion to the Premier League last year

LONDON: Rangers head coach Russell Martin said Thursday his “whole career has been based on proving people wrong” after he was unveiled as the new man in the Ibrox hot seat.

The 39-year-old former Southampton manager, who has signed a three-year contract with Rangers, has the daunting task of toppling champions Celtic, who have a stranglehold on the Scottish game.

Martin guided Saints to promotion to the Premier League last year but was sacked in December following one win from their first 16 games. The club were subsequently relegated.

Rangers finished last season second in the Scottish Premiership under the caretaker management of former captain Barry Ferguson, having dismissed Philippe Clement in February.

Ex-Scotland defender Martin, who had a short loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018 and has also managed MK Dons and Swansea, was asked at a press conference about negative reaction from fans to his appointment.

“To the fans, I have to win. I don’t think I’ve been the number one choice at any club I’ve been at,” he said.

“By the time we’ve left every team I’ve been at, we’ve formed a real connection with the supporters. I hope this will be the same.

“My whole playing career was based on hard work and resilience. It was not done on talent.”

Martin said success at Ibrox would be measured in trophies, admitting he had “a lot to prove.”

Celtic have an iron grip on Scottish football, recently wrapping up a 13th title in 14 seasons.

But Martin is confident he can eventually knock Rangers’ bitter Glasgow rivals from their perch.

“My whole career has been based on proving people wrong,” he said. “I got to the Premier
League as a player, played international football. It’s the same as a manager.

“I feel after five and a half years of being a coach and a leader, I love doing it. I will be all-in here with my energy and my love for it. Hopefully it will reflect on the pitch.”

Martin was criticized for sticking to an attacking approach at Southampton even as his team was losing consistently but he defended his methods.

“We are here to win and we’ll do that in the best way we possibly can within a similar concept of the game,” he said.

“That is to be dominant with the ball, which I think is what Rangers fans expect, but to be really aggressive, really intense, really passionate, really hard-working first and foremost.”

Martin’s arrival is the latest in a series of major changes at Rangers.

An American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises secured a majority shareholding on Friday, while new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially began work on Monday.


Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner

Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner
Updated 05 June 2025
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Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner

Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner
  • In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side
  • After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are on the cusp of next year’s World Cup in North America

PERTH: Australia moved to the brink of the World Cup after beating already qualified Japan 1-0 in Perth on Thursday thanks to Aziz Behich’s 90th-minute winner.

In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side.

But then substitute Riley McGree cut the ball back to defender Behich, who rifled a bullet into the corner for his first international goal in 13 years and trigger scenes of jubilation.

After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are on the cusp of next year’s World Cup in North America.

“We know there’s room to grow and room to improve, but we’ve done something special tonight,” coach Tony Popovic said.

Before the game the Socceroos had a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference over Saudi Arabia with two matches left.

The win does not totally guarantee Australia’s passage, with Saudi Arabia at Bahrain later on Thursday.

Australia then face the Saudis in Jeddah on June 10 in their final Group C match in the battle for second behind Japan.


Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup.

After what had been a lacklustre performance for much of the game, Australia’s last-gasp victory continued their turnaround since Popovic arrived in September.

“We’ve all played a part in getting us to this point,” he said.

“We want to go to Saudi Arabia and really finish the job off.”

After becoming the first team to punch their ticket to the World Cup, Japan coach Hajjime
Moriyasu used the trip to Australia as an opportunity to experiment.

“I wanted to see what they (the inexperienced players) could do against a strong opponent in very difficult circumstances,” Moriyasu said.

“We have to improve and expand our squad.”

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo started on the bench as Japan fielded three debutants in the starting line-up.

Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada, playing his 41st international, was considerably their most experienced starter.

Japan completely dominated the first half with 21-year-old midfielder Kota Tawaratsumida impressing on his debut.

It was only a matter of time before Japan had a clear-cut chance, with Yuito Suzuki having an attempt from long range on the half-hour mark.

Japan continued to attack with debutant Yu Hirakawa firing just wide of the left post after beating outstretched goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

The break arrived at a good time for Australia.

After being brought on in the 64th minute, Kubo curled past the right post, before Behich stepped up late with his priceless goal.


Kohli ‘lost for words’ after 11 die celebrating Bengaluru IPL win

Kohli ‘lost for words’ after 11 die celebrating Bengaluru IPL win
Updated 05 June 2025
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Kohli ‘lost for words’ after 11 die celebrating Bengaluru IPL win

Kohli ‘lost for words’ after 11 die celebrating Bengaluru IPL win
  • Stampede near Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy cricket stadium killed 11 on Wednesday as players paraded trophy
  • Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Kohli, delighted thousands of fans after maiden IPL trophy win in 18 years this week

BENGALURU: Virat Kohli said he was lost for words after celebrations of a dream IPL title turned to tragedy when 11 mainly young cricket fans were crushed to death in Bengaluru.

Hundreds of thousands had packed the streets Wednesday to welcome home their hero Kohli and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after they had beaten Punjab Kings a day earlier in a thrilling Indian Premier League final.

But the euphoria of the vast crowds in the southern tech city of Bengaluru ended in disaster, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it “absolutely heartrending.”

Karnataka state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said most of the 11 dead were young people and there were 47 others injured in the crush after a stampede near the city’s M. Chinnaswamy cricket stadium, where the players were parading the trophy for fans.

Kohli, who top scored in the final, said earlier it had been “as much for the fans” after the 36-year-old finally celebrated winning the IPL at his 18th attempt.

Later, Kohli wrote on social media: “At a loss for words.

“Absolutely gutted,” he added, alongside a statement from the RCB team saying they were “deeply anguished” at what had unfolded.

One of the people injured described to AFP how a “huge crowd” had crushed her.

“They stamped on me,” said the woman, who did not give her name, from a wheelchair.

“I was not able to breathe. I fell unconscious.”

Most of the dead were young fans who had gone out just to catch a glimpse of their sporting heroes.

Street food vendor Manoj Kumar mourned the death of his 18-year-old son, killed in the stampede, who he said he had stopped from working on his stall so he could study.

“I wanted him to go to college,” Kumar told the Indian Express newspaper.

“I brought him up with a lot of care. Now, he is gone.”

A grieving mother outside a city mortuary said her 22-year-old engineering student son had also died in the crush.

“He was crazy about RCB,” she was quoted as saying by the Indian Express on Thursday.

“He died in an RCB shirt. They danced when RCB won and now he is gone. Can RCB give him back to us?”

Authorities had already called off RCB’s proposed open-top bus victory parade through the streets after anticipating vast crowds.

But organizers pressed ahead with the welcome ceremony and celebrations inside the stadium.

RCB’s social media account posted a video of cheering crowds lining the streets as the players waved back from their team bus on their way to the stadium.

The team said they cut short the celebrations “immediately upon being made aware of the situation.”

Siddaramaiah said that the stadium had a capacity of “only 35,000 people, but 200,000-300,000 people came.”