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Second DP World Tour play-offs launch with Paul Waring as guest star

Second DP World Tour play-offs launch with Paul Waring as guest star
Paul Waring of England holds the trophy after his win in the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2024 at Yas Links Golf Course. (David Cannon/Getty)
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Updated 10 min 23 sec ago
Arab News

Second DP World Tour play-offs launch with Paul Waring as guest star

Second DP World Tour play-offs launch with Paul Waring as guest star
  • The play-offs, comprising the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship, tee off next month
  • Waring, last year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner, was a special guest at the launch event at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
Updated 10 min 23 sec ago
Arab News

DUBAI: With less than a month to go until the DP World Tour Play-Offs return to the UAE for their second edition, reigning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Paul Waring was among those in attendance at the official launch on Wednesday.

The countdown is on following last year’s successful inaugural event, comprising the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, which saw course records broken at Yas Links and record crowds at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The action begins with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which will celebrate its 20th edition, taking place from Nov. 6-9. The leading 70 players on the Race to Dubai rankings will battle it out for the prestigious Falcon Trophy before the field is reduced to the top 50 players at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship from Nov. 13-16. The Race to Dubai champion will then be crowned.

Reigning champion Rory McIlroy secured a Dubai double last season, winning the DP World Tour Championship for a record-equaling third time and claiming the Harry Vardon Trophy for a sixth time, matching the tally of the late, great Seve Ballesteros.

At Yas Links last year, it was the launch’s special guest, Waring, in the spotlight. He held off a stellar field, including McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton, to claim his first Rolex Series title.

“Winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last season was one of the most memorable moments of my golf career,” said Waring.

“Having two back-to-back Rolex Series events to close out the season in the UAE was incredibly exciting, especially now that I’m based here. Although I won’t be competing this year due to injury, I’m really looking forward to watching the action unfold at both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.”

The launch was also attended by Aref Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and General Abdullah Al-Hashmi, the president of the Emirates Golf Federation. Also present were Daniel van Otterdijk, chief communications officer for DP World, and Richard Bunn, chief revenue and content officer of DP World Tour.

“We are delighted to welcome the world’s best golfers to Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of the DP World Tour Play-Offs,” Al-Awani said. “The two events represent a platform that brings together elite golfers from around the world. The 20th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship highlights the incredible growth of golf in the UAE and our nation’s success in hosting major international tournaments. Hosting this milestone event in the Emirate reinforces its position as a global sporting destination, offering a world-class experience for both players and fans.” 

Race to Dubai leader McIlroy has already confirmed his attendance at both events as he aims to move a step closer to Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight season-long titles. Also announced for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship were 2025 European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard, Vice Captain Alex Noren and Nicolai Hojgaard, who will join McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Hatton and Robert MacIntyre.

Noren, Hatton, Fitzpatrick, Ramus Hojgaard, MacIntyre and Justin Rose — members of Europe’s triumphant 2025 Ryder Cup team — have also been confirmed for the DP World Tour Championship, along with 2023 champion Nicolai Hojgaard.

Al-Hashmi said: “Having worked alongside the DP World Tour for more than 30 years, we are proud of what has been achieved during that time. The launch of the DP World Tour Play-Offs last season reflected the trust the Tour has placed in the UAE, with this year’s second staging set to deliver two weeks of world-class golf that will once again showcase our country on the global stage.”

Meanwhile Tom Phillips, director of Middle East, DP World Tour, said: “After the hugely successful debut of the DP World Tour Play-Offs last year, we are thrilled to bring back two of the region’s most prestigious sporting events on consecutive weekends. This unique format creates a truly compelling finale to the season, combining world-class golf with the excitement and energy of the UAE.”

Topics: DP World Tour Championship

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Medvedev to face De Minaur in Shanghai Masters quarterfinals

Medvedev to face De Minaur in Shanghai Masters quarterfinals
Updated 09 October 2025
AFP

Medvedev to face De Minaur in Shanghai Masters quarterfinals

Medvedev to face De Minaur in Shanghai Masters quarterfinals
  • The Russian said he would need to rest his legs in anticipation of a similarly tough challenge against De Minaur on Friday
  • Another top-10 player fell on Wednesday as Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti lost to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2
Updated 09 October 2025
AFP

SHANGHAI: Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday got his revenge against US teenager Learner Tien, beating him in a nail-biter 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4 to proceed to the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals.

There he will meet world No. 7 Alex de Minaur, who cruised past Portugal’s Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2 earlier in the day.

Victory in Shanghai comes just over a week after the 36th-ranked Tien took the Russian out of the China Open semifinals in Beijing.

“He’s an unbelievable tennis player,” Medvedev said of the 19-year-old. “Outside of the big three, he may be the toughest opponent I’ve ever faced.”

Medvedev broke first in the ninth game, but Tien returned the favor immediately.

Daniil Medvedev (L) embraces Learner Tien at the end of their men's singles match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 8, 2025. (AFP)

The last two games of the first set saw the two players locked in an epic back-and-forth, their prolonged rallies thrilling the crowd.

Both faced breakpoint but managed to hold, with Medvedev smashing a looping lob from Tien to send them to a gripping tiebreak.

Medvedev broke early in the second set, but Tien was again unphased — breaking back in the fifth and then seventh games, before the former world number one leveled in the 10th.

Medvedev began limping just before the second-set tiebreak and spoke briefly with a medic before hobbling back onto court.

Tien went 3-0 up as the Russian, ten years his senior, tried to stretch out on court, becoming increasingly irate as the match was pushed to a decider.

“I should be more calm, but Learner drives me nuts... I lost two very traumatic matches against him — so for sure I was scared to lose again,” he said.

But a scrappy third set — full of double-faults from both players — was settled when Medvedev broke in the ninth game with a backhand.

‘Going to be a battle’

The Russian said he would need to rest his legs in anticipation of a similarly tough challenge against De Minaur on Friday, smiling wryly: “We’re gonna run again.”

After Novak Djokovic, the Australian is the highest ranked player left standing after a string of high-profile exits.

De Minaur needed five break points in the 11th game against Borges in the first set, converting the last with a backhand for a decisive advantage.

He carried the momentum into the second set, breaking in the first and third games.

But he remained cautious about his title chances.

“In our side of the draw, there’s a lot of quality players, so it’s still going to be a battle,” he said.

Another top-10 player fell on Wednesday as Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti lost to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2.

Thirteenth-ranked Auger-Aliassime looked sharp throughout, breaking in the fifth game.

He went on to dominate the second set, breaking Musetti, the world number nine, in the fifth and seventh games.

“I knew it was going to be the toughest match of the week so far, and I knew I was going to have to raise my level, and I did,” said the 25-year-old Canadian.

He will next meet France’s Arthur Rinderknech, who reached his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal after beating Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).

Rinderknech’s cousin Valentin Vacherot made it to the last eight on Tuesday, and will face Denmark’s Holger Rune for a place in the semifinals.

Djokovic will follow them on to court on Thursday against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs for a place in the last four.
 

Topics: Shanghai Masters Daniil Medvedev Learner Tien Alex de Minaur Nuno Borges

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ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double

ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double
Updated 08 October 2025
John Duerden

ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double

ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double
  • Opening game of the 4th round of Asian qualifiers begins, and ends, as a tense affair for the Green Falcons as Indonesia take lead in 11th minute
  • Victory over Iraq on Tuesday will ensure Herve Renard’s men make their 7th appearance at the World Cup finals
Updated 08 October 2025
John Duerden

JEDDAH: ֱ came from behind to defeat Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday and take a giant step toward the 2026 World Cup finals.
Two goals from Firas Al-Buraikan and a fine strike from his Al-Ahli team-mate, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, at their home ground in Jeddah means a victory over Iraq on Tuesday will ensure Herve Renard’s men make their seventh appearance at the World Cup finals, and even a point might be enough to book their tickets to North America.


This opening game of the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers began, and would end, as a tense affair. The crowd at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, which is hosting all three Group B games, was silenced, aside from a small pocket of away fans, when Indonesia took the lead in the 11th minute.
After a cross into a crowded area was adjudged to have been handled by Hassan Tambakti, Kevin Diks stepped up to take the spot kick and found the bottom corner of the net despite the best efforts of Nawaf Al-Aqidi.
Given that the Saudis scored only seven goals across all 10 games in the third round of qualifiers, there was plenty of apprehension among the home crowd, but just six minutes later the hosts equalized and did so in style.
Musab Al-Juwayr flicked a pass to Al-Shamat, who turned inside a defender just outside the area and then fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the goal past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Ten minutes before the break, ֱ were in front. A shirt pull in the area resulted in a penalty and Al-Buraikan stepped up to fire his team into the lead, beating Paes who saved a spot kick from Salem Al-Dawsari in the previous round.
The hosts continued to push forward in search of an all-important third goal, given that goal difference could well play a part in the final reckoning of the three-team group. It came just after the hour mark; Al-Juwayr’s shot from outside the area was palmed away by Paes but Al-Buraikan was there to hit home the rebound.
As the clock ticked down there was still time for some late drama in the form of an 89th-minute penalty call that went the way of the visitors, and Diks once again made no mistake from the spot.
Nine minutes of added time made for a tense finale for the Saudis, especially when substitute Mohammed Kanno was sent off for a second yellow, but they managed to hang on.
The Group B action continues on Saturday when Iraq will take on Indonesia, before facing ֱ on Tuesday in the final game of the round.
The group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the second-place team will face off against the runners-up in Group A over two legs, with the winner advancing to an inter-confederation play-off. Group A features Qatar and Oman, who played out a goalless draw on Wednesday, plus the UAE.

Topics: ֱ Indoensia 2026 World Cup Firas Al-Buraikan

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Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria

Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria
Updated 08 October 2025
AFP

Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria

Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria
  • “It makes me proud and I will give everything at 100 percent to make the Algerian people proud,” the goalkeeper said
  • He received his first call up for Algeria in a 26-man squad for the next two qualifiers
Updated 08 October 2025
AFP

ORAN, Algeria: French football legend Zinedine Zidane’s son Luca said on Wednesday he is “proud” to represent Algeria ahead of the north African country’s World Cup qualifier against Somalia.
Luca Zidane, 27, turned out for France’s youth team but has chosen to play for Algeria where his grandparents were born.
“I’m very happy to be here. It makes me proud and I will give everything at 100 percent to make the Algerian people proud,” the goalkeeper told a press conference in Oran.
Zidane junior, who plays for Spanish second tier side Granada, changed sporting nationality last month having never represented France at senior level.
He received his first call up for Algeria in a 26-man squad for the next two qualifiers.
“All my family are proud of me and back my choice, my grandfather is happy that I’m in Algeria and that I’ve made this decision,” he added.
His father, who was a World Cup winner for France in 1998, “had his journey, his career. As for me I have my journey, my career,” said Luca.
Algeria can become the fourth African team to qualify for next year’s World Cup if they beat Somalia, with Luca saying: “The first objective, it’s tomorrow, it’s Somalia and to win to qualify for the World Cup.”

Topics: Algeria Luca Zidane 2026 World Cup

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Ratcliffe gives Amorim three years to prove himself at Man Utd

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Updated 08 October 2025
AFP

Ratcliffe gives Amorim three years to prove himself at Man Utd

Ratcliffe gives Amorim three years to prove himself at Man Utd
  • “Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be,” Ratcliffe told The Business podcast
  • “The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch”
Updated 08 October 2025
AFP

LONDON: Ruben Amorim has been given three years to prove himself at Manchester United after co-owner Jim Ratcliffe insisted he will not make a knee-jerk decision about the under-fire manager’s future.
Amorim has endured constant speculation that he faces the sack throughout this season as United lurched from one crisis to another.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss, who was hired by Ratcliffe in November 2024, admitted earlier this term that he had considered quitting during United’s darkest moments.
Amorim’s side finished 15th in the Premier League last season — their lowest final top-flight position since 1973-74 — and squandered a chance to qualify for the Champions League when they lost the Europa League final to fellow strugglers Tottenham.
Tenth-placed United have fared little better this season, losing three of their first seven league games and crashing to a shock League Cup defeat at fourth-tier Grimsby.
Amorim has yet to record successive Premier League wins since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag, with a trip to champions Liverpool next up for United after the international break.
Despite the talk that Amorim, whose side beat promoted Sunderland in their last game, remains in danger of being axed Ratcliffe said the 40-year-old would be given time to turn things around.
“He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be,” Ratcliffe told The Business podcast, produced by The Times and The Sunday Times.
“The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow.
“You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”

- ‘No free lunches’ -

Ratcliffe has owned just under 30 percent of United since February 2024, when he took control of football operations at the 20-time English champions.
That left the Glazer family, who have endured numerous fan protests since taking over in 2005, still in overall charge at Old Trafford.
United haven’t won the English title since 2013, while their last European trophy was the 2017 Europa League.
Asked what would happen if the Glazers told him to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe said: “It’s not going to happen.”
The INEOS chief said the Glazers were happy for him to take charge, adding: “That probably sums it up. We’re local and they’re the other side of the pond.
“That’s a long way away to try and manage a football club as big, as complex as Manchester United. We’re here with feet on the ground.
“They get a bad rap but they are really nice people and they are really passionate about the club.”
Ratcliffe has also come in from criticism after controversial cuts designed to drive down costs at United saw around 450 jobs axed and the removal of perks like subsidised staff lunches.
“The costs were just too high. There are some fantastic people at Manchester United, but there was also a level of mediocrity and it had become bloated,” he said.
“I got a lot of flak for the free lunches, but no-one’s ever given me a free lunch.
“The biggest correlation, like it or not, between results and any external factor is profitability. The more cash you have got, the better squad you can build.
“So a lot of what we have done in the first year is spend an awful lot of time putting the club on a sustainable, healthy footing.”

Topics: Manchester United Ruben Amorim Jim Ratcliffe

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First 2 championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season decided

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Updated 08 October 2025
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First 2 championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season decided

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  • Team Bright Future secure first ever championship title in the EA FC25 tournament
  • The Vicious topple Team Falcons in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 event
Updated 08 October 2025
Arab News

RIYADH: The first two championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season have been decided, with team Bright Future lifting their first-ever trophy in the EA FC25 competition, and team The Vicious claiming the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 crown.

EA FC25 Championship: Historic win for Team Bright Future

In a tournament that brought together 16 of the Kingdom’s best clubs to battle it out on the virtual soccer pitch, Team Bright Future emerged with their first-ever championship title after star player Ibra6577 triumphed in a high-scoring showdown with S_7wi of team Twisted Minds, sealing the victory with an 11-6 aggregate score.

In the battle for third place, Al-Dahab Club pushed Twisted Minds to the limit but fell just short in a nail-biting contest that ended in a 9-8 scoreline.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Championship: Team The Vicious rise as new champions

If the story of the EAFC25 event was one of new winners, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Championship was the tale of a giant being toppled. In a tournament showdown featuring the top four qualifying teams, The Vicious shocked Team Falcons with a dramatic 4-3 series win.

The victory not only confirmed The Vicious as the new Saudi eLeague kings of Call of Duty, their standout player, d7oomx, was named MVP for a performance that helped propel the team to the title.

The Road Ahead: 11 Championships to go

With the first two championships decided, the Saudi eLeague, described as the Kingdom’s premier esports competition, is into its most competitive phase with 11 tournaments remaining, the results of which will shape the race for the overall title.

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