Saudi midfielder Mohammed Kanno to miss World Cup qualifier against China through injury

Saudi midfielder Mohammed Kanno to miss World Cup qualifier against China through injury
Saudi midfielder Mohamed Kanno will miss his national team’s Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup match against China, Saudi Arabia’s national football team’s French coach Herve Renard said on Wednesday. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi midfielder Mohammed Kanno to miss World Cup qualifier against China through injury

Saudi midfielder Mohammed Kanno to miss World Cup qualifier against China through injury
  • The Green Falcons, who sit in 4th place in their group on 6 points with 4 games to play, face China on Thursday and Japan on Tuesday
  • ‘We expect to perform well … Qualification is in our hands and we want to win,’ says national team coach Herve Renard

RIYADH: Midfielder Mohammed Kanno will miss the Saudi national team’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against China on Thursday but could be available for the match against Japan on Tuesday, coach Herve Renard revealed on Wednesday.

“Kanno will not be ready for tomorrow’s match, just as he wasn’t for the Australia game, but we hope he can travel with us to Japan,” the Frenchman said. Kanno picked up an injury playing for his club, Al-Hilal, against Al-Taawoun on Saturday.

The Saudis are one of four teams on six points in Group C after six games of the final stage of the Asian qualifiers. With four games left to play, Australia are in second place on seven points and Japan top the group on 16 points. The top two teams from each of the three groups will qualify for the World Cup, while the teams in third and fourth place progress to the play-off phase.

“We expect to perform well,” Renard said of the upcoming double-header. “There is no pressure on us after the Gulf Cup, and we are still fortunate to have a direct qualification opportunity after our previous matches. Qualification is in our hands and we want to win.”

He attributed recent improved performances by China to their Croatian coach, Branko Ivankovic, adding: “Matches against him were tough when he coached Oman, and tomorrow’s match will be no different. China is a well-organized team that excels in attacking transitions and we must be ready for that.”

Renard thanked the Saudi fans for ensuring Thursday’s clash at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh is a sell-out, and highlighted the important role they play in supporting the players.

“We can’t do it alone,” he said. “We need the fans, they are the foundation of our qualification. We need everyone and we must show our desire and determination to win.”

Ivankovic acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s superiority ahead of the clash but expressed confidence in his players’ ability to get a result.

“Saudi Arabia is one of Asia’s top teams,” he said. “They played against Argentina and defeated them in the World Cup. They have the advantage but we believe in our chances and capabilities and want to complete our mission with a positive result.

“We have prepared well for Thursday’s match. We have 15 new players, bringing fresh energy and experience. We know (the Saudis) well — they are an excellent team.”

Recalling his previous encounter with Renard, Ivankovic added: “We faced him when I was with Oman. He is not just a good coach but an outstanding one.”

He also had high praise for the injured Kanno, describing him as “the best Saudi midfielder,” but added: “It doesn’t matter whether he plays or not. We prepare for our opponent with their full squad. That’s our approach.”


Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan

Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan
Updated 22 March 2025
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Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan

Green Falcons start training ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Japan
  • Head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups
  • National team will hold a closed training session on Sunday

SAITAMA, Japan: Saudi Arabia’s national football team started training on Saturday at Saitama Stadium’s training pitch in preparation for their clash against their host Japan on Tuesday.
The Green Falcons will face off with Japan at Saitama Stadium 2002 as part of the eighth round of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On the field, head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups. The first group included those who played their recent match against China, and were assigned recovery exercises at the health club.
The second group, which consisted of the remaining players, had warm-up exercises followed by small-sided games. Later, the players carried out a variety of tactical exercises, and the session concluded with stretching.
The national team will hold a closed training session on Sunday, at 7:00 p.m. at the same training pitch.
The Green Falcons arrived in Japan on Friday evening, a day after beating 10-man China 1-0 in Riyadh to get their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign back on track.


Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64

Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64
Updated 22 March 2025
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Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64

Former Algerian international Djamel Menad dies aged 64
  • “The wider Algerian football family and JS Kabylie are in mourning following the announcement of the death of Djamel Menad,” JS Kabylie wrote
  • Born on July 22, 1960 in the town of El Bayadh, Menad represented his country 79 times, scoring 25 goals, over a 15-year international career

ALGIERS: Former Algeria forward Djamel Menad has died aged 64 following a short illness, his ex-club JS Kabylie announced on Saturday.
“The wider Algerian football family and JS Kabylie are in mourning following the announcement of the death of Djamel Menad, a former player and true legend of football in the country,” JS Kabylie wrote on social media.
“In recent weeks, the health of the former center-forward of the Algerian national team had deteriorated rapidly as a result of a devastating illness that struck him around two months ago,” indicated news website TSA.
Menad died in a clinic in Algiers where he had been hospitalized on March 14, after returning from Brussels where he had been receiving treatment for a month, reported Algerian football media DZfoot.
Born on July 22, 1960 in the town of El Bayadh, Menad represented his country 79 times, scoring 25 goals, over a 15-year international career.
Menad’s efforts in helping Algeria reach the 1986 World Cup in Mexico resulted in him being named Algerian sportsman of the year in 1985.
He was notably top scorer at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, with four goals in five appearances as Algeria claimed the trophy on home soil.
Over his club career, Menad played for Algerian sides JS Kabylie, CR Belouizdad and USM Alger. He also played in Europe for French club Nimes, as well as Portuguese sides Famalicao and Belenenses.
Menad moved into coaching after his playing career and was most recently sporting director at JS Kabylie.


Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers

Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers
Updated 22 March 2025
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Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers

Saudi national football team arrives in Japan for World Cup qualifiers

The Saudi national football team arrived in Japan on Friday ahead of the team’s match for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 

The match between Saudi Arabia and Japan will take place on Tuesday at the Saitama Stadium 2002 and is part of the seventh round of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup. 

The team was greeted by Saudi Deputy Ambassador to Japan Anas Al-Nuwaiser and several embassy staff members on arriving at Japan’s Narita International Airport. 

On Thursday, Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup after winning 2-0 against Bahrain, followed by Saudi Arabia after defeating China 1-0. 


Piastri on Chinese GP pole after Hamilton takes first Ferrari win in sprint

Piastri on Chinese GP pole after Hamilton takes first Ferrari win in sprint
Updated 22 March 2025
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Piastri on Chinese GP pole after Hamilton takes first Ferrari win in sprint

Piastri on Chinese GP pole after Hamilton takes first Ferrari win in sprint
  • McLaren’s Oscar Piastri stormed to his first-ever pole position on Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, after Lewis Hamilton won the sprint race

SHANGHAI: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri stormed to his first-ever pole position on Saturday at the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, after Lewis Hamilton won the sprint race.
The second row for Sunday’s main race will be filled by Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris and world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Hamilton will start in fifth after taking his maiden victory for Ferrari in the morning sprint in Shanghai.
Alongside him on the third row will be teammate Charles Leclerc with Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon completing the top 10.
“I found a lot of pace in Q3,” said the Australian Piastri.
“The laps were a little bit scruffy but I’m just pumped to be on pole.”
Piastri, who was second in the sprint, said it would be important to get away in front at the start of Sunday’s 56-lap race where preserving tires could be a key factor.
“I want to make sure I keep the clean air. I was pretty happy after the sprint,” he said.
“I feel like we learned a lot and I’m looking forward to putting that into use tomorrow.”
Russell was ecstatic to get on the front row alongside Piastri.
“Feels incredible to be honest,” said the Englishman.
“Did something totally different on that last lap and it all came together.”
Norris finally found some pace after coming eighth in the sprint.
“I’m always disappointed if I’m not on pole but Oscar deserves it today,” said Norris, who won the season-opener in Melbourne last week.
Hamilton earlier savoured a “really special” first victory in Ferrari red after winning the sprint race in dominant fashion.
The seven-time world champion controlled the race from pole position to add a sprint victory to his record six grands prix triumphs in Shanghai.
He took the chequered flag 6.889 seconds ahead of Piastri with Verstappen third.
Hamilton emerged from his car after the finish line to a crescendo of cheers from the massed fans, who unfurled huge banners displaying his number 44.


“That is a really, really special weekend so far,” the 40-year-old Englishman told reporters.
“China and Shanghai has always been really good to me since my first race here back in 2007. It’s a track that I really do love driving on.
“It’s hard to put into words what it feels like.”
Hamilton used his vast experience to take advantage of the clean air at the front of the pack and nurse his tires over 19 laps.
“I think it is generally pretty close between all of us,” said Hamilton.
“I was just trying to manage (the tires) early on and then the last, like, five laps or something, I was in a really comfortable position.”
Verstappen pressured Hamilton in the first half of the race but suffered later on cooked rubber enabling Piastri to swoop past with five laps to go.
“Unfortunately the last eight laps we didn’t have the pace of the others so I was trying to survive out there,” said Verstappen, who won both the sprint and main race in China last year.
In grand prix qualifying, rookie Liam Lawson continued his terrible start to life at Red Bull after crashing in Melbourne and coming last in sprint qualifying.
The New Zealander failed to hook up his qualifying tires and trailed in 20th on the time sheets and will start from the back of the grid for a second successive time.
“It’s just really tough, honestly,” said a disappointed Lawson. “I just need to get on top of it.”
Esteban Ocon was 11th and joined by Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and 15th fastest Carlos Sainz in not making the top 10 shootout from Q2.
Also eliminated from Q1 were Pierre Gasly and Lawson’s fellow rookies Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto.


Algeria’s Muay Thai star Nabil Anane eyes undisputed world title at ONE 172 on Sunday

Algeria’s Muay Thai star Nabil Anane eyes undisputed world title at ONE 172 on Sunday
Updated 22 March 2025
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Algeria’s Muay Thai star Nabil Anane eyes undisputed world title at ONE 172 on Sunday

Algeria’s Muay Thai star Nabil Anane eyes undisputed world title at ONE 172 on Sunday
  • In his last fight, Anane clinched the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai world title with a technical knockout victory against Scotland’s fighter Nico Carrillo

After six straight wins in martial arts organization ONE Championship, Algeria’s Nabil Anane is looking to earn the biggest win of his career at ONE 172: Takeru vs Rodtang this Sunday at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

In his last fight, Anane clinched the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai world title with a technical knockout victory against Scottish fighter Nico Carrillo. 

Anane’s next mission is to unify the world title against Superlek Kiatmoo9 — the Thai megastar who knocked out the Algerian star on his promotional debut back in 2023. 

“I’m looking just for the win. I just want to beat Superlek. I don’t even think about the belt. I just want the win. I just want to beat Superlek. That’s it. That’s what I want in this fight,” Anane said. 

The towering 20-year-old star, born to an Algerian father and Thai mother, has shown marked improvement in his overall game since the first time he met Superlek inside the ring. 

In his last six bouts, Anane used his height and reach advantage to dominate some of the most established Muay Thai fighters, finishing three of his opponents. 

Anane, who is the youngest ever WBC Muay Thai champion, believes his wins over opponents such as former world title challenger Felipe Lobo and Lethwei legend Soe Lin Oo prove that he has become used to fighting in small gloves — and is now ready to even the score with the two-sport, two-weight world champion.  

“Two years ago, I didn’t know nothing about small (4-ounce) gloves. I didn’t have this experience. I’m totally different. Very different. It was a big lesson, and I learned a lot in that fight. I’m sure that it’s not going to be the same this time,” Anane said. 

If Anane wins the highly anticipated rematch, he will solidify his status as one of the best Muay Thai practitioners today, and become only the second undisputed ONE world champion from the MENA region after former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing world champion, Morocco’s Ilias Ennahachi, who is the only man to beat Superlek in ONE Championship.  

The event, which features five world title bouts across Muay Thai, kickboxing and mixed martial arts, is headlined by a flyweight kickboxing super-fight between Japanese icon Takeru Segawa and Muay Thai megastar Rodtang Jitmuangon.