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        <title><![CDATA[Mexico President Sheinbaum gifts her World Cup ticket to Indigenous athlete]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/06/01/mexico-president-sheinbaum-gifts-her-world-cup-ticket-to-indigenous-athlete]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum delivered a promise by giving away her ticket to the World Cup opening match.Sheinbaum, the first female president in the country’s 200-year history, donated her ticket No.00001 to Yolett Cervantes Cuaquehua, a 21-year-old Indigenous woman from the eastern state of Veracruz.Mexico play the opening match against South Africa on June 11 at Azteca Stadium.Cervantes Cuaquehua was selected by a jury after winning a contest for her ball-handling skills."They are the pride of Mexico. They will not represent the president, or the head of government, they will represent Mexico,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference to give away the ticket to Cervantes Cuaquehua.Sheinbaum also gave away tickets to other matches being played in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey - the Mexican venues for the World Cup - to three other amateur athletes aged 16, 22, and 23. They were also selected by the jury as part of a contest organised by the government."Thank you so much for considering us,” Cervantes Cuaquehua said.Sheinbaum in March ruled out attending the opening game, stating she wanted to give prominence to young Mexican female soccer players."I think a young woman who plays soccer is a great representative of our country. Very few people will be able to attend the opening,”Sheinbaum said at the time. She added she will watch the game at the Zócalo, the capital’s main square, where a Fan Fest will be set up.The president’s announcement generated mixed reactions in Mexico. While some considered it a commendable decision, others criticised it, arguing that it was a missed opportunity to promote the country.Associated Press ]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/06/01/mexico-president-sheinbaum-gifts-her-world-cup-ticket-to-indigenous-athlete]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:40:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[McLaren join Ferrari as only F1 teams to make 1,000 GP starts ]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/06/01/mclaren-join-ferrari-as-only-f1-teams-to-make-1000-gp-starts]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Bruce McLaren, in a 1964 eulogy for late friend and fellow driver Timmy Mayer, said "life is measured in achievement, not in years alone" and more than 60 years ‌later his team are still living by the maxim.Founded by the late New Zealander, with barely a handful of employees, McLaren celebrate their ​1,000th Formula One start ⁠in Monaco this weekend as only the second outfit after Ferrari to reach such a mighty milestone.They stand ‌alone in getting there as champions.In terms ‌of achievement, McLaren are the second most successful Formula One team of all time with 203 grand prix victories since the first in 1968.They have won 10 constructors' championships and 13 drivers' titles since Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi took the first in 1974, with Britain's Lando Norris the latest in 2025.Ferrari, competing since the ‌start of the championship in 1950, reached the 1,000 race milestone at their home Mugello circuit in 2020 and have 16 constructors' titles and 15 drivers' ⁠crowns with 247 wins.The Italians have not won a title since 2008, however."It (McLaren) is just an iconic, legendary racing team," said Zak Brown, who became CEO in 2018 and has led his men and women back to the top after years in the doldrums."The drivers that we've had over the years are amazing".Roll call of Champions from Fittipaldi to NorrisThe roll call of champions testifies to that, with Britain's Norris the latest on the list.After Fittipaldi came James Hunt (1976), Niki Lauda (1984), Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989), Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991), Mika Hakkinen (1998, 1991) and Lewis Hamilton (2008).Other champions to have raced ​for the team at some point include Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Denny Hulme, Nigel Mansell, Kimi Raikkonen, Keke Rosberg and Jody Scheckter."To ‌see my name alongside some of these guys is very special," said Norris, who has driven for the team since his F1 debut in 2019.The Briton described the current team as 'one big happy family', which was not always the case.McLaren, in the Ron Dennis era that started in 1981, were an innovative ⁠powerhouse with seven constructors' titles between 1984 and 1998.Dennis started out as a mechanic and stood out for his attention to detail and vision -- the award-winning factory in Woking and road car company are testament to that -- while taking McLaren back to the top from a late 1970s slump.While he could appear obsessive and ​abrasive in a less ‌fan-focused era, and was famed also for his use of convoluted 'Ronspeak' expressions, the team's success was enviable.In 1988 McLaren won all but one ‌race with Senna and Prost, whose rivalry and feuding lit up the track in the late 1980s and early 1990s.In 2007, Hamilton's debut year, McLaren were fined a record $100 million by the governing FIA for being found illegally in possession of confidential Ferrari information in an infamous 'spygate' case.Dennis was ousted in 2017, the sporting giant's ‌reign ended after a ‌boardroom coup with Bahrain's Mumtalakat investment fund in control.McLaren returned to the top ⁠in 2024 with the constructors' title and both championships in 2025, the fan-focused team returning to the bright papaya colours ‌of old."It's all about people," said Brown, an American. "When I started, the team had definitely gone through tough times. We were ninth in the championship, we didn't have many partners and the partners we had weren't very happy."Our fans were disgruntled, a ⁠lot of politics inside the racing team."What was great was our brand. It wasn't in a great place but you can't take away ​the history and heritage".Team principal Andrea Stella, who worked at Ferrari during a golden era with seven-times champion Michael Schumacher, said McLaren -- like the Italian team -- were defined by their legacy."It started with our founder Bruce McLaren, a young guy, he wanted to build ⁠something incredible and he followed his dreams, he made it happen," said the Italian.Reuters]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:14:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Kostyuk stuns Swiatek, Cirstea and Zverev cruise into French Open quarter-finals]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/06/01/kostyuk-stuns-swiatek-cirstea-and-zverev-cruise-into-french-open-quarter-finals]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek exited Roland Garros as the top seeds continued to fall at the start of the second week, while Alexander Zverev cruised past lucky loser Jesper De Jong 7-6(3) 6-4 6-1 to reach quarter-finals.The Polish third seed endured a miserable 25th birthday as she went down 7-5, 6-1 to Madrid Open winner Marta Kostyuk.Since winning Roland Garros in her second appearance at the tournament in 2020, Swiatek had never gone more than two years without hoisting aloft the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, but after Aryna Sabalenka ended her bid to win a fourth consecutive French Open in the semi-finals last year, she has lost her unbeatable status on clay.Indeed since last winning in Paris in 2024, Swiatek has only lifted three titles in the two subsequent seasons.“I feel, like, for sure I lost today because Marta used the opportunity, and I was super tense,” she said.“It is harder a bit to handle stress for me in, like, (the) last year.“So I feel like today I felt off, you know, and I did mistakes that I didn’t want to do, and I wanted to play safe, but the ball flew everywhere.“Suddenly these feelings came back, and I tried to work on it with my dialogue inside, but it was tough today. Yeah, so it all kind of went drastically down, and I played worse and worse.”After breaking Kostyuk in the first set to edge 4-3 ahead, Swiatek’s serve totally deserted her and she failed to hold again as the Ukrainian hit back to claim the opener and then raced through the second frame.For Kostyuk, reaching a first quarter-final at Roland Garros was just the latest high mark in a fine clay-court season, in which she claimed the 250-level event in Rouen, as well as a first WTA 1000 title in the Spanish capital.Elina Svitolina next stands between her compatriot and the last four after she fought back to beat Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.The seventh seed has reached the quarter-finals at the French Open on five previous occasions but has failed to ever go beyond that mark.After winning a first WTA 1000 title in eight years earlier in May at the Italian Open, Svitolina’s last-eight encounter with Kostyuk will pit against each other the two winners of the main warm-up events to Roland Garros.“It’s exciting. Definitely she’s been playing really well,” Svitolina said of Kostyuk, who is on a 15-match win streak on the red dirt.Sorana Cirstea continued her remarkable renaissance during her farewell season on tour as the 36-year-old bested Chinese world number 148 Wang Xiyu 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).The Romanian will face Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva.Teenager Andreeva, who defeated 170th-ranked Swiss Jil Teichmann in straight sets, will be targeting a second semi-final in three years at Roland Garros.“I came into my last year, wanted to go out the front door of the sport, wanting to really do well, but I didn’t really think it was going to go that well,” Cirstea, who arrived in Paris at a career-high ranking of 18th, said.“In the same time it’s very beautiful. I’m very grateful for everything that’s happening.”Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar has been no stranger to lengthy matches in his debut Roland Garros campaign but the 19-year-old’s five-set win over fellow countryman Pablo Carreno Busta was even longer drawn out than it would otherwise have been as the heatwave that defined the first week subsided to rain, which caused brief delays in play.Jodar battled back from two sets down to beat the 34-year-old 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 and progress to the last eight. His next opponent is the highest-ranked man left in the draw and the prime contender to claim a maiden Grand Slam crown, German second seed Zverev.The 29-year-old three-time major finalist eased through the fourth round with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-1 win over 106th-ranked Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong.Despite only dropping a set so far en route to an eighth quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros, Zverev refused to be drawn on the question of finally breaking his Grand Slam duck.“I will focus on the matches that are ahead of me. This is the only thing that I can control,” he insisted.Agencies]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/06/01/kostyuk-stuns-swiatek-cirstea-and-zverev-cruise-into-french-open-quarter-finals]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:10:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Mentality shift behind rapid rise, Fonseca says after reaching French Open quarters]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/06/01/mentality-shift-behind-rapid-rise-fonseca-says-after-reaching-french-open-quarters]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Joao Fonseca said a change in mentality and months of hard work have helped fuel his rise to a first Grand Slam ‌quarter-final after the Brazilian teenager's breakthrough run at the French Open.The ​19-year-old reached ⁠the last eight of a major for ‌the first time on ‌Sunday with a 7-5 7-6(8) 5-7 6-2 victory over two-time runner-up Casper Ruud."Pre-season in December was pretty tough," he told reporters. "Australia can be ‌an example, because I was with no rhythm at all. Practiced ⁠like two days with 13 days off and tried to play."But what changed is doing a lot of physical stuff and working hard."After winning the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, Fonseca burst into the spotlight with an upset of Andrey Rublev at the 2025 ​Australian Open.He said his experiences over the past year had ‌helped shape his progress."The mentality also changed a lot, focusing on the points and not in the end of the match," he ⁠said."I'm out of home since Monte-Carlo, but I think a lot of work came. Mentality improved a lot."Fonseca said he felt more comfortable imposing ​himself against ‌Ruud than he had during his earlier victory over Novak ‌Djokovic in Paris, repeatedly taking the initiative against one of the circuit's strongest clay-court players."Against Djokovic was more mental," he said."I was feeling more ‌confident in ‌today's match and more aggressive, going ⁠for the shots and trying to command on the ‌points pretty soon."Three-times champion Gustavo Kuerten watched Sunday's match from the stands and Fonseca enjoyed having the support ⁠of his countryman."Having Guga there supporting and cheering was ​amazing and super-nice experience today," he added."It's different. Of course my first time, but just living the moment."Reuters]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:05:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RCB retain IPL title as chase master Kohli, bowlers deliver]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/bengaluru-win-toss-opt-to-bowl-against-gujarat-in-ipl-final]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 and inspired bowling led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second straight Indian Premier League title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans on Sunday.Bengaluru restricted Gujarat to 155-8, a total they chased down with 12 balls to spare after Kohli reached his fifth half-century of the season in a lopsided final in Ahmedabad.Kohli sealed victory with a six to cap a magnificent 42-ball innings featuring nine fours and three sixes, then pointed to the stands as Bengaluru players sprinted out to celebrate.Bengaluru and Kohli have been on a roll since they won their first IPL crown at the 18th attempt last year at the Narendra Modi Stadium.His landmark knock then turned the final into a one‑sided affair, thus reaffirming his reputation as the man for the big occasion.It also continued a remarkable streak as RCB have not lost a game since 2025 whenever Kohli has scored a fifty, as he ensured the side joined Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as the only teams to successfully defend their IPL title, while extending the streak of Qualifier 1 winners lifting the trophy to nine seasons.Kohli’s iconic number 18 jersey dominated the stands at the world’s biggest cricket ground, which recorded an official attendance of over 90,000 spectators on Sunday.Kohli and fellow opener Venkatesh Iyer, who hit 32 off 16 balls, got Bengaluru off to a flying start in a 62-run partnership.Mohammed Siraj broke the stand as he dismissed Iyer and Kagiso Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal from the other end.Rashid Khan struck twice in one over to send back skipper Rajat Patidar for 15 and Krunal Pandya to raise Gujarat’s hopes.But Tim David and Kohli put on 41 runs to steady the chase. David fell for 24 but Kohli saw the team through with Jitesh Sharma for company.“Well, I said to a few of the boys that it doesn’t feel like the same pressure as last year. We knew what kind of ability we have in the group. We topped the table. There’s a reason why we got here first,” Kohli said.The former RCB captain said the team never lost sight of the formula that had made them the competition’s most consistent side during the league stage.“And we just said one thing: if we stick to our cricket, if we execute our plans, we are the best team in the comp. And there’s a reason why we have done well so far in the group stage. We ended up topping the league stage.”Bengaluru’s quicks set up the victory as Rasikh Salam stood out with 3-27 in a disciplined attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who both took two wickets each.The trio justified the decision to put Gujarat in to bat, striking early and regularly. Only Washington Sundar offered much resistance as he scored a defiant 50 not out.Hazlewood landed the first blow as he dismissed skipper Shubman Gill for 10 with Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar taking a fine running catch.Kumar dislodged the other opener, Sai Sudharsan, for 12 in the next over.Both Gill and Sudharsan were in the race for the Orange Cap awarded to the top scorer in the IPL season, but Rajasthan Royals’ 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ended top of the list with 776 runs. Gill (732) and Sudharsan (722) finished second and third. Kohli was fourth with 675 runs, including one century.Nishant Sindhu, who made 20, and Jos Buttler attempted to steady the Gujarat innings but struggled against a miserly attack and soon Salam removed Sindhu.Krunal Pandya had Buttler stumped for 19 with his left-arm spin and Gujarat slumped to 73-4 in 12.1 overs.Wickets continued to fall but Sundar stood firm to reach his fifty in the 20th over.The effort was not enough as Gujarat ended runners-up for the second time in three finals, with their only triumph coming in their debut season in 2022.Brief Scores:Gujarat Titans 155/8 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 50 not out, Nishant Sindhu 20; Rasikh Salam Dar 3-27, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-29) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 161/5 in 18 overs (Virat Kohli 75 not out, Venkatesh Iyer 32; Rashid Khan 2-25) by five wickets. ]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 23:34:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[VIDEO: Paris Saint-Germain players celebrate amid riot recriminations]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/paris-saint-germain-players-celebrate-amid-riot-recriminations]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[The French capital laid on a hero's welcome Sunday for Paris Saint-Germain players to mark their second straight Champions League title, amid bitter recriminations after hundreds of people were arrested and dozens of police hurt in a night of unrest across the country.Tens of thousands of flag-waving fans took to the streets again to see the team parade from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to the Champ de Mars plaza in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.The team flew back from Budapest where they beat English Premier League champions Arsenal on Saturday night 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out.They were also received by President Emmanuel Macron before returning to their Parc des Princes stadium for a final encounter with fans.A night of celebrations was blighted however by clashes between youths and police in Paris and other cities, cars set on fire and shops looted.One man died riding his motorbike around the Paris ring road in celebration while authorities reported stabbings and other attacks. They said 57 police and 219 "participants" were injured. Eight of the injured were in critical condition.Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said there were 780 arrests across France, nearly a third more than when PSG's triumph last year over Inter Milan also set off a night of disturbances. He said looting had taken place in around 15 cities across the country.Municipal workers hurried Sunday morning to clear the Paris streets of broken glass, damaged bus shelters, trash cans and burned out cars and bikes before PSG's return.French President Emmanuel Macron called the violence "unspeakable".But amid political recriminations over the troubles, Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire played down the severity, saying such incidents were nothing new.- 'Brainless thugs' -"In the vast majority of cases, people celebrated with family and friends. And it was an extraordinary celebration," the mayor told BFM TV. "And incidents on the fringes of major events have been going on for centuries."Gregoire blamed the "media coverage" of the unrest "and perhaps also the obsession of these troublemakers who come to cause trouble and show themselves on social media"."There's a kind of escalation, a chain reaction, and an incitement, in a way, to do just about anything," he added.The town hall for the Paris district that includes the Champs-Elysee, where tens of thousands went after the football victory, called for a ban on such gatherings.On Saturday night, the "Champs-Elysees avenue and its surroundings ceased to be a place of celebration and became an arena of urban guerrilla warfare", the town hall said in a statement.Politicians from all sides lambasted the troubles and questioned the way it was handled.Far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen wrote on X that "only in France does a football club's victory spark riots".Valerie Pecresse, the head of the greater Paris council from the Republicans party, slammed "the brainless thugs who allow themselves to destroy everything, tarnishing the image of Paris and France!".She demanded "exemplary sanctions" in a post on X.A spokesperson for the hard-left France Unbowed said: "We cannot be satisfied with the way last night's event was managed and organised by the government."- Riding high -Nunez promised "strongarm" security for Sunday's celebrations as thousands of PSG supporters waited, waving flags and sporting PSG shirts. Some 6,000 police were on duty across the centre of the capital."We're still riding yesterday's high, so we want to keep the party going," said 25-year-old Abou, a PSG fan "since he was little"."Paris, Paris" chanted supporters, as they filtered through security checkpoints to get spots near a stage where the players appeared. The "We Are the Champions" pop song blared out on speakers.The streets were so packed that the team arrived more than an hour late at the Champs-de-Mars where they paraded on a red, white and blue tricolour carpet to the stage.Giant screens showed replays of the penalty shootout that brought the trophy back to Paris."It was great, there was the stress of the penalty shootout but it was good stress in the end," said Mirna Makima, a 39-year-old physiotherapist who travelled from Belgium for the celebrations.Agence France-Presse]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 22:14:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Captain Waseem leads strong UAE presence at Lanka Premier League]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/captain-waseem-leads-strong-uae-presence-at-lanka-premier-league]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[UAE captain Muhammad Waseem headlines a strong contingent of UAE cricketers set to feature in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 Player Draft on June 1 in Colombo, where franchises will finalize their squads for the sixth edition of the tournament.As part of the tournament regulations, every franchise is required to select at least one player from the Associate Star category, placing additional focus on a talented UAE group that has emerged as one of the strongest representations from associate cricket nations.Waseem is joined by wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind, all-rounders Basil Hameed and Aayan Afzal Khan, experienced pacers Junaid Siddique and Zahoor Khan, emerging batter Alishan Sharafu, and left-arm fast bowler Muhammad Jawadullah.With a blend of international experience and proven T20 pedigree, UAE players are expected to attract significant interest during the draft as teams seek to strengthen their squads with quality associate talent.The UAE contingent forms part of a larger player pool of 421 cricketers available for selection after more than 600 players from around the world registered their interest in participating in the tournament.The draft marks the official start of preparations for LPL 2026, which will be played from July 17 to Aug.18 across Colombo, Dambulla, and Pallekele.Among the standout names available in the Platinum category are Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, Australia all-rounder Ashton Agar, and Pakistan internationals Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz.Franchises will also have the opportunity to strengthen their squads with established T20 performers such as Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Evin Lewis, Chris Lynn, Wiaan Mulder, and Ryan Burl.The five participating teams — Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Gallants, Jaffna Kings, and Kandy Royals — will assemble squads of between 18 and 20 players as they balance local talent with overseas experience ahead of the new season.The player pool also includes several notable Pakistan cricketers, including Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Sufyan Moqim, Akif Javed, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr.Teams seeking spin options will have a wealth of choices, including Ish Sodhi, Sandeep Lamichhane, Piyush Chawla, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Cole McConchie, while experienced international campaigners such as Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Martin Guptill, Temba Bavuma, Gulbadin Naib, and Rahkeem Cornwall are also available for selection.Other leading Associate Star candidates include USA fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk, Nepal star Dipendra Singh Airee, Scotland seamer Safyaan Sharif, USA captain Monank Patel, Corey Anderson, and Ali Khan.The LPL 2026 Player Draft will begin at 2:30 PM local time in Colombo and is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the fortunes of the five franchises ahead of another highly competitive season.]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 20:25:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Minhas&#039; match-winning debut earns praise from Australia&#039;s batter Renshaw]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/minhas-match-winning-debut-earns-praise-from-australias-batter-renshaw]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Australian batter Matt Renshaw praised spinner Arafat Minhas after the teenager led Pakistan to a comfortable five-wicket win over Australia on ‌his one-day international debut in Rawalpindi on Saturday night.The 19-year-old claimed ​five wickets ⁠for 32 runs before hitting the final ‌delivery for six to ‌claim man-of-the-match honours as Pakistan cruised to victory in the first of three meetings between the teams."The Pakistan spinners are always ‌quality, not a surprise to see someone come in and do ⁠really well," said Renshaw, who top scored for Australia with 61 runs."They always produce good spinners and good quicks, so not surprising at all. "To get five-fer on debut is pretty special. It was challenging when I went out there."Little bit different for ​me as a left hander compared to the right ‌handers. A few balls spun out of the side of the wicket, but I didn't face too much of him today. "But ⁠obviously he did really well, took the wickets early."Only two Australian batters managed to move beyond the half-century mark on the scoreboard as ​the Josh ‌Inglis-captained side reached 200 runs before being bowled out with ‌almost six overs remaining.After a slow start, Pakistan took command when Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori put on 127 for the third ‌wicket while Minhas ‌blasted Marnus Labuschagne over the ⁠boundary for the winning runs with more than ‌seven overs to spare."When you're four down early it makes it really difficult to try and build a ⁠score," said Renshaw. "We built a couple of really good ​partnerships, but unfortunately it wasn't enough today. We did what we could with what we had but it ⁠wasn't enough."Reuters ]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 18:25:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Sabalenka and Osaka advance, Potapova sends Gauff packing]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/sabalenka-and-osaka-advance-potapova-sends-gauff-packing]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Top seed Aryna Sabalenka and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka on Saturday set up a blockbuster last-16 meeting at the French Open, while defending champion Coco Gauff was sent spinning out as Anastasia Potapova claimed a 4-6 7-6(1) 6-4 victory to reach the fourth round.Sabalenka beat Australia’s Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5 in just 76 minutes to stamp her ticket to the fourth round.After racing through the first set, Sabalenka went an early break down to her 53rd-ranked opponent before battling back.“I was happy in the tough moments I never gave up,” she said on court as Roland Garros goes through the last day of the heatwave that has sat over Paris since the beginning of the tournament.With victory, the Belarusian world number one has set up a meeting with her fellow quadruple major winner, Osaka.Sabalenka and Osaka, both 28, have won two Australian Opens and two US Opens apiece.Sabalenka has beaten Osaka twice this season, but Osaka won their only meeting at a major -- at the same stage in the 2018 US Open, the first of her major titles.The Japanese 16th seed battled past American starlet Iva Jovic 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 to progress.In a match dominated by serve with the first two sets decided by tie-breaks, Osaka gained the decisive break against the 18-year-old 17th seed in the 10th game of the third set.“I was a lot calmer than in my first matches... In a Slam the further I get the calmer I am. It such an honour to be here. It’s the furthest I have ever been here,” Osaka, who had never before gone past the last 32 at Roland Garros, said.Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova, who in the build-up to her third-round match accused her Russian opponent Diana Shnaider of “taking money” from a “company financing war crimes” and of liking social media posts by “propagandists”, lost 7-5, 6-1.Reigning champion and fourth seed Gauff will attempt to stamp her ticket to the fourth round when she takes on Austria’s Anastasia Potapova later in the day.With the men’s side of the draw wide open following the shock early exits of top seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, Flavio Cobolli laid down a marker with an emphatic victory over Learner Tien.The Italian 10th seed beat the American 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 45 minutes on centre court.Cobolli will next meet Zachary Svajda with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.“Of course I want to think match by match,” Cobolli said when asked about the relatively open Roland Garros draw. That’s the way that I want to think this week.“I know that there are many possibilities to have a new Grand Slam champion. For sure we [will] have a new Grand Slam champion, but I don’t want to think about this. For sure I have now another tough match.”American world number 85 Svajda upset 25th seed Francisco Cerundolo to continue his best ever run at a Grand Slam.The 23-year-old had never got beyond the second round of a major but ensured his debut French Open would extend into the second week with a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Cerundolo.Agence France-Presse]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 10:40:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Kohli and Bengaluru eye second IPL crown in final against Gujarat as Gill banks on home advantage]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/kohli-and-bengaluru-eye-second-ipl-crown-in-final-against-gujarat-as-gill-banks-on-home-advantage]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be eyeing their second straight IPL title against an upbeat Gujarat Titans in the final at the 130,000-capacity Ahmedabad stadium on Sunday.The 37-year-old Kohli has been central to Bengaluru’s efforts since their first title in the T20 tournament last year.Batting great Kohli will be back at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s biggest cricket ground and the venue of Bengaluru’s triumph in 2025.Bengaluru topped the 10-team table at the end of the league stage, and beat Gujarat in the first play-off to secure direct entry into the final.However, Gujarat bounced back from their defeat in style.Gujarat hammered Rajasthan Royals in the last play-off to qualify for their third final in five years, winning the title in 2022.“In the IPL and actually in any form of cricket, you have to remain reasonably level regardless of the result,” Gujarat’s director of cricket Vikram Solanki said.“If you come off the back of a defeat, you can’t get too low — because, more often than not, you’re preparing for the next game.”Skipper Shubman Gill, who is also India’s Test and ODI captain, hit 104 in New Chandigarh on Friday.The 26-year-old has scored 722 runs, putting him second in the batting chart behind Rajasthan’s 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on 776.Gill’s opening partner, Sai Sudharsan, is third with 710 runs.The pair have laid the foundation of Gujarat’s success.“I can only imagine all of the work that Shubman has put in throughout his career to get to where he is, as far as batting is concerned,” said former England batter Solanki.“He’s an exceptional young man.“To be playing the cricket that he is, to be batting the way he is, is just phenomenal.”Kohli, who has stepped away from Test cricket and T20 internationals, has scored 600 runs this season, including one century and four half-centuries, at an average of 50.00 in 15 matches.Bengaluru’s director of cricket Mo Bobat said “everybody understands what Virat Kohli brings -- his intensity, his fight, his hunger”.“Experience counts for a lot in pressure games, but I think it also speaks volumes for their personalities and character,” Bobat said.Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar stepped up his game in the first qualifier, hammering an unbeaten 93 off 33 balls.His knock, after Kohli’s attacking 43, paved the way for Bengaluru’s mammoth total of 254 in a 92-run thrashing of Gujarat.Patidar tasted success last year when his team and star player Kohli won their first IPL trophy in their 18th attempt.“Any team whose captain is playing well, gets greater confidence from that,” said Bobat.“We’re becoming accustomed to seeing these sorts of knocks from him now. He played some outrageous shots, but also really the aggressive intent... that’s leading by example.”The final is expected to draw a crowd of more than 100,000 fans.Patidar will be in elite company if he wins back-to-back titles, feat achieved by only two IPL captains including M.S. Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings - 2010-11) and Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians 2019-20).“I’ve never thought about what the other captains have done before and (whether I) had to compete with somebody or not,” said Patidar.Bengaluru return to the venue they won the title last year after beating Punjab Kings in the final. But Patidar said they will play with a fresh mindset.Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans captain Gill on Saturday said he is not burdened by expectations of home fans and will make use of familiar conditions in the final.“Honestly, I don’t really get burdened by expectations,” said the 26-year-old Gill.“Obviously, there are advantages, that’s how I see it. There’s familiarity when we play there, we know the wicket, we know the ground, so we know what kind of cricket we need to play there to be able to win, so in that context, yes, I see it as an advantage because there’s a little bit of familiarity,” he added.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 10:37:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Ronaldo leads Portugal charge at sixth WC, Diaz shoulders Colombia hopes]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/ronaldo-leads-portugal-charge-at-sixth-wc-diaz-shoulders-colombia-hopes]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Cristiano Ronaldo heads to a record sixth World Cup blessed with a prodigiously talented group of team-mates as Portugal target glory for the first time on the global stage.Roberto Martinez’s side are strong favourites to progress from Group K where they face DR Congo and tournament debutants Uzbekistan before the tricky test of Colombia.Ronaldo and long-term rival Lionel Messi are set to make more history by becoming the first players to feature in six World Cups.But since finishing fourth in Ronaldo’s debut tournament in 2006, Portugal have rarely threatened to go all the way despite boasting the highest goalscorer in the history of international football on 143.Now 41, Ronaldo’s presence has been seen as a major factor in Portugal sides not maximising their potential in recent tournaments.The Al-Nassr forward has failed to score in his last nine matches at the World Cup and Euros combined.Ronaldo was even dropped by Fernando Santos in favour of Goncalo Ramos during the 2022 World Cup.But Martinez has remained fiercely loyal to Ronaldo and with some justification.He scored in the quarter-final, semi-final and final as Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win the Nations League last year.Ronaldo also plundered five goals in as many qualifiers before a red card against the Republic of Ireland.A lesser light would likely have been banned for the start of the tournament, but Ronaldo escaped with just a one-match suspension.Martinez’s reasoning for backing Ronaldo also reveals a lack of other credible options up front.Portugal’s true strength lies with arguably the best collection of midfielders at the World Cup.Paris Saint-Germain pair Vitinha and Joao Neves line up alongside Premier League player of the year Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.Diaz now Colombia’s star man: Colombia are led by their own ageing national hero in James Rodriguez, 12 years on from the tournament that made him a global superstar.Despite a nomadic and largely ineffective club career in recent years, James, 34, remains an integral part of the Colombia side which reached the Copa America final two years ago and finished third in South American qualifying.Luis Diaz is now the talisman for Los Cafeteros and arrives at the World Cup on the back of the best club season of his career at Bayern Munich.Colombia tickets have been among the most in demand of any in the tournament and they are sure to be backed by a huge travelling and ex-pat support.That makes life all the more difficult for Uzebekistan and DR Congo to upset the odds against the two big group favourites.Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov is the star name among an Uzbekistan squad made up largely of domestically-based players.However, there is World Cup winning experience on the Uzbek bench in Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to success in 2006.DR Congo’s only previous World Cup experience came 52 years ago, when they were known as Zaire, and left Germany without a point or goal to their name.A squad containing the likes of Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa, Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki and West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be targeting at least a first World Cup win.Sebastien Desabre’s side beat both Cameroon and Nigeria in play-offs to earn their place at the tournament.Agence France-Presse]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 10:34:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Defending champion Torrente and Wyatt take top honours in Cagliari Sprint Races]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/31/defending-champion-torrente-and-wyatt-take-top-honours-in-cagliari-sprint-races]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Shaun Torrente and Rusty Wyatt dominated their respective Sprint Races, each leading from start to finish on a gloriously sunny day in Cagliari on Saturday.In both races, fiercely contested battles were a feature of the middle of the pack of drivers, with Brent Dillard showcasing his overtaking skills in Sprint Race 1 and Ben Jelf displaying his pedigree in Sprint Race 2.In the first Sprint Race, current world champion Torrente lined up in pole position following his dominant display in the qualifiers, and after taking the holeshot the Victory Team driver looked in comfortable control leading the pack of nine drivers.It took the American just four laps to put over five seconds between himself and second place Peter Morin, who himself gradually pulled away from Bartek Marszalek in third, with Morin building a ten second cushion over Marszalek by the seventh lap.Further back in the pack, Marit Stromoy gained a position from Duarte Benavente in the first lap, pushing the Portuguese down into ninth place. Alberto Comparato also fell back at the start, with Alec Weckstrom and Brent Dillard overtaking him and pushing the Italian into sixth place.Dillard was only able to overtake Comparato by the slimmest of margins, setting up a tight battle for fifth between Dillard and Comparato, with just 1.005 seconds separating the two after the third lap.But Dillard was able to see off Comparato’s challenge, extending his lead over the Italian to 2.332 seconds by the eleventh lap, and beginning to mount a challenge of his own to fourth-placed Weckstrom in front. Any pressure on Dillard from behind subsided after engine issues forced an early retirement for Comparato after fourteen laps.Torrente coolly crossed the finish line as he started the race: in first place. He was followed by Morin and Marszalek, meaning the podium places remained unchanged from how they lined up. Weckstrom kept his cool and claimed a fourth-place finish despite Dillard’s challenge, but the Finn was far from the pace of fellow Victory Team driver Torrente, who managed a race best lap of 46.427 seconds to Weckstrom’s 48.683 seconds.Dillard finished in fifth, Bourgeot sixth, Stromoy seventh, Benavente eighth, and Comparato in a disappointing ninth.It was an all-Sharjah Team affair at the front of the second Sprint Race, as their three drivers lined up in a one-two-three formation following strong showings in the morning’s qualifiers. All three Team Abu Dhabi drivers were also lined up on the pontoon, though in less flattering positions than their fellow Emirati rivals. Jonas Andersson lined up in fifth, Al Qemzi in seventh, and Erik Stark at the back in ninth following an engine change.Wyatt took the holeshot to retain his first place, with Stefan Arand holding onto second, but a flying Andersson was able to perform a double overtake on Grant Trask and Sami Selio to slot into third.Meanwhile, Stark was gaining positions of his own, overtaking Deguisne at the start and immediately hunting down Jelf, closing the gap between the two to just 0.623 seconds after four laps. This precipitated a battle for sixth place midway through the race, with Jelf just 0.688seconds behind Al Qemzi by the seventh lap, and Stark creeping up not far behind.After tightly trailing Al Qemzi, Jelf was able to finally get his overtake on the eleventh lap at the race course’s only right turn, then immediately put distance between himself and seventh place Al Qemzi, extending a 4.947 second lead by the thirteenth lap, and more than doubling that lead to 11.976 seconds the following lap.Tragedy struck in the last minute for Arand, who was encumbered by an electrical issue that briefly saw him grind to a halt with less than two laps left, allowing Andersson and Trask to overtake and push him out of the podium finishes.Wyatt emulated Torrente’s performance in the first Sprint Race in leading from start to finish, securing the full ten points. Arand’s last-minute technical trouble allowed Andersson to claim second, and Trask to cross the line in third, but a two-place penalty for not maintaining his lane at the start pushed the Aussie down to fifth in the race’s final standings.Arand was therefore bumped up into third, with Sami Selio in fourth, and Trask’s penalty pushing him into fifth.]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 10:30:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to retain Champions League title]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/psg-beat-arsenal-on-penalties-to-retain-champions-league-title]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties to win their second consecutive Champions League title after a 1-1 draw in the final in Budapest on Saturday.Kai Havertz fired Arsenal into an early lead before Ousmane Dembele equalised from the spot in the second half.Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes both missed for the Gunners in the shoot-out as PSG became just the second club to retain the title in the Champions League era.Agence France-Presse]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 23:09:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Debutant Minhas helps Pakistan beat Australia in ODI series opener]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/pakistan-win-toss-elect-to-field-in-first-odi-against-australia]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Pakistan out-spun Australia by five wickets in the first one-day international in Rawalpindi with spinner Arafat Minhas becoming the first home bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut on Saturday.Minhas finished with 5-32 as an under-strength Australia were bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs before Pakistan chased down the target in 42.3 overs for a memorable win in their 1,000 ODI.Babar Azam notched a 94-ball 69 while Ghazi Ghori hit an impressive 92-ball 65 as Australia's inexperienced spinners failed to match Pakistan slow bowlers on a dry spin-assisting Pindi Stadium pitch.Azam and Ghori added 127 runs for the third wicket after Sahibzada Farhan (28) and Maaz Sadaqat (eight) fell with the score at 49.Azam hit four boundaries and a six while Ghori's knock had eight hits to the rope before both falling to pacer Nathan Ellis, but with just 16 to win that did not hurt Pakistan.Minhas smashed a six to complete the victory.Australia are missing a host of key players including regular skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood alongside opener Travis Head.Mitchell Marsh, initially appointed captain for the tour, was also ruled out with an ankle injury, leaving Josh Inglis to lead the series with the last two matches in Lahore on June 2 and 4.Australia, sent in to bat, saw Matthew Renshaw hitting a career best 63-ball 61 and opener Matthew Short scoring a 76-ball 55 amidst a spin assault with eight wickets going to slow bowlers.It was Abrar (2-44) who broke the opening stand of 34 with the wicket of Alex Carey for 19, before Minhas destroyed the batting with guile and accuracy.Minhas had stand-in skipper Inglis (13) and Marnus Labuschagne (nought) in his fourth over before getting Cameron Green for a third ball duck in his next.At 68-4 Australia were in a spot of bother, but Short and Renshaw fought hard through a fifth wicket stand of 55 before Minhas broke the stand, getting Short stumped.Abrar returned for his second spell to dismiss Renshaw while Arafat completed his five-wicket haul by Nathan Ellis for eight.Short hit six boundaries in his fourth ODI half century while Renshaw's knock had five boundaries and a six.Shadab Khan, who was playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup, was smashed for a boundary on the first ball as he gave away 12 runs in his first over.He never found his rhythm, and proved to be the most expensive bowler in the innings with none for 54 from eight overs. He had also gone wicketless in his last three matches, all during the World Cup in India.Pakistan used all their four spinners, the other being Salman Ali Agha, who bowled five overs, but none got the ball to turn as sharply as Minhas.The remaining two matches are in Lahore on Tuesday and Thursday.Two years ago, Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan to their first ODI series win in Australia since 2002.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 20:26:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[UAE Football Association sacks coach Olaroiu]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/uae-football-association-sack-coach-olaroiu]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has parted ways with national team coach Cosmin Olaroiu and his coaching team.In a statement, the association confirmed that Olaroiu's contract and those of his assistants had been ended.The UAEFA thanked the coaching staff for their work with the national team and said a new coaching setup would be revealed in the near future.Olaroiu took charge of the UAE national side in April 2025 after the departure of Paulo Bento. Before accepting the role, the Romanian coach had built a strong reputation in UAE club football, winning domestic league titles with Al Ain FC and Shabab Al Ahli Club. He also led Sharjah FC to victory in the AFC Champions League Two.His primary objective was to revive the UAE's hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, draws against Uzbekistan national football team and Kyrgyzstan national football team left the UAE in third place in their qualifying group, forcing them into an additional qualifying stage alongside Oman national football team and Qatar national football team.After defeating Oman 2-1, the UAE needed only a draw against Qatar to secure a place at the World Cup. Instead, they suffered a 2-1 loss in a controversial encounter, ending their hopes of automatic qualification and extending their wait for a first World Cup appearance since 1990.The team was later given another opportunity through a playoff route, but a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Iraq national football team eliminated them from contention. Iraq subsequently overcame Bolivia national football team in the intercontinental playoff to book a place at the tournament.Olaroiu's final competition in charge was the FIFA Arab Cup in December, where the UAE finished fourth after losing to the Saudi Arabia national football team in the third-place match.]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 19:54:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Liverpool sack manager Arne Slot after disastrous Premier League title defence]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/liverpool-sack-manager-arne-slot-after-disastrous-premier-league-title-defence]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Liverpool sacked manager Arne Slot on Saturday, saying the club were seeking a "change of direction," after a disastrous defence of their Premier League title.The Reds finished fifth in the table, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, despite spending a Premier League record of nearly £450 million ($605 million) on new players in one transfer window last year.Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the frontrunner after leading the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club's history.Just over a year ago Slot was heralded as a hero after taking on the daunting role of succeeding Jurgen Klopp and leading Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in his debut season in charge. Yet fans turned on the Dutchman this season after a series of lacklustre performances.There was also sign of dressing room disharmony, most notably from Mohamed Salah who called for a return to "heavy metal football" in an explosive social media post, referring to Klopp's high energy style of play. Salah's comments were liked by multiple members of the current squad.Despite their troubles, it had been reported that Slot would be handed a stay of execution after securing Champions League qualification.'Different approach'However, the club's owners, the American-based Fenway Sports Group, have succumbed to fan pressure to axe the former Feyenoord boss."We have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but," the club said in a statement."The conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team's trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach."Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield."Liverpool added that "the process to appoint a successor is under way."Many fans were keen for the return of Xabi Alonso to Anfield, but the club's former midfielder will instead take charge of Chelsea next season.Iraola's stock is high after an 18-game unbeaten league run to finish the campaign in sixth, just three points behind Liverpool despite vastly inferior resources.The Spaniard also worked together with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who previously held a similar role at Bournemouth.Slot ultimately paid for failing to get a return on Liverpool's huge investment last summer.British transfer record signing Alexander Isak was beset by fitness problems, while Florian Wirtz struggled with the transition to the Premier League after a £100 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.Slot, though, also had to deal with emotional turmoil caused by the death of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident in July.Agence France-Presse ]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/liverpool-sack-manager-arne-slot-after-disastrous-premier-league-title-defence]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 17:35:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Layne Riggs delivers last-lap pass for Truck Series win at Nashville]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/layne-riggs-delivers-last-lap-pass-for-truck-series-win-at-nashville]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Layne Riggs set the pace early in the rain-delayed NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on Friday, then rallied for a dramatic final-lap pass to claim the track's iconic "Victory Guitar" trophy in the Allegiance 200.Riggs, who started sixth on the event's eighth and final restart with 16 laps to go, passed the defending race winner Rajah Caruth coming off Turn 4 on the next-to-last lap. Riggs got a strong push forward from teammate Chandler ‌Smith to hold the top position and take his second consecutive win, and third of the season, in the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford.After leading all of the opening 90 ​laps and claiming victories in both ⁠Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the race, Riggs restarted the final stage from the fifth row, losing positions after the competition's varying pit strategies. ‌His move forward afterward, however, was an exhilarating ending to ‌a long night.Ultimately the 23-year North Carolina native and second-generation NASCAR driver took the checkered flag by 0.468 seconds over Caruth, who drove the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. Caruth's car originally was intended to be raced by NASCAR champion driver Kyle Busch, who died at the age of 41 from sepsis last week.It was an emotional win for Riggs, who dedicated the victory to Busch and an equally emotional outing for Caruth, who honored ‌Busch with his own outstanding run toward the trophy.Riggs was energized by his triumph at a track where his father, Scott Riggs, won the series' inaugural truck race back in 2001 and two other ⁠NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races (2002 and '03)."Not till I passed him and cleared him," Riggs said of feeling confident in his dramatic comeback. "That's how you win a NASCAR truck race there, boys and girls. I hope I put on a show for you. I didn't want to fall back, but I don't know what happened with that set of tires. It was literally undriveable."(Crew chief) Dylan (Capello) made the right adjustments there, got me the tires, got me the motivation and (I) drove to the front," he said of a late- race pit-stop gamble for an adjustment and new tires with 32 laps remaining."So proud of the awesome finish there with the 38 truck (Smith), he gave me the push for the win and good racing there with Chandler tonight," he added of his teammate, who finished third.Caruth, who led 44 ​laps, looked to become only the second driver in history to earn back-to-back wins on the 1.33-mile Nashville oval. The talented and well- liked young driver had the emotional ‌support of millions of NASCAR fans who would have loved to see Busch's truck return to victory lane."I was trying to make this thing as wide as possible," Caruth said of attempting to hold off Riggs, whose car was on fresher tires. "But that was a great call by Brian. We were strong but starting at the back because of qualifying (being rained out) kind of impacted our night. We got the car really ⁠strong there and probably some things I could have done better."Glad to give these guys a good result. ... Really wanted to get that one obviously for everybody that was at KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports), especially KB's family. Close. I just didn't close it out.""Wanted to get a trophy tonight. So close. But proud of the effort and the team."NASCAR Cup Series regular Ross Chastain finished fourth in the Niece Motorsports Chevrolet, and he was followed by ​Tyler Ankrum in the No. ‌18 McAnally-Hilgemann Chevy.Stewart Friesen, Grant Enfinger, 2024 Nashville winner Christian Eckes, Gio Ruggiero and Daniel Dye rounded out the top 10.Riggs, with his victory and a rare laps-down finish for Tricon Garage's ‌Kaden Honeycutt, took over the championship lead by 37 points over Honeycutt.The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returns to action on June 6 at the Michigan International Speedway 2-mile oval with the DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 (1:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Friesen is the defending race winner.Reuters]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 10:55:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Dubai Basketball make history after securing spot in ABA League Finals]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/dubai-basketball-make-history-after-securing-spot-in-aba-league-finals]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Dubai Basketball have officially secured their place in the 2025/26 ABA League Finals after defeating Buducnost VOLI 103:77 in decisive Game 3 of the semi-finals in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.The victory sealed a 2-1 series win and marked a historic milestone not only for the team but also for the city of Dubai and the UAE.In just their second season competing in the ABA League, Dubai Basketball have become the first and only UAE-based team to reach the Finals of one of Europe’s top basketball leagues.The achievement further cements the team’s status as one of the fastest-rising sports franchises in the region, reflecting its rapid growth, ambitious vision and growing influence on the regional basketball landscape.It has also become a source of national pride, inspiring fans across the UAE and drawing increasing support with each milestone achieved.Representing Dubai and the UAE on the European stage, Dubai Basketball have continued to break new ground throughout their journey.They became the first team from the Gulf region to compete in two European leagues and, with every game, continues to push the boundaries of what regional sport can achieve internationally.Having taken the early advantage with a Game 1 triumph, Dubai Basketball fell short in the second encounter as their opponents responded strongly to draw the series level, setting up a high-stakes and decisive third game in Zenica with a place in the finals on the line.Facing one of the league’s most experienced sides, the team responded in dominant fashion to book their place in the finals.Following the historic victory, Dubai Basketball Head Coach Aleksander Sekulic praised both the team and supporters, saying “First of all, a big thanks to the fans in Zenica who supported us in a very important game, a historical game for the club — the first finals in history. We needed their support.”“After Game 2, we knew that Buducnost is the team against whom we needed to be really precise in execution and focused, and these are the things we improved from Game 2. We prevailed and deservedly qualified for the finals. For me personally and for the club, this is a big thing, huge, and we can’t wait for the finals to start.”Dubai Basketball delivered a composed and commanding performance from the opening minutes, taking control early and extending their lead throughout the game.The team entered halftime with a 54:39 advantage before continuing their momentum in the second half to close out one of the most important victories in club history.Dzanan Musa paced the scoring with 20 points as Dubai Basketball delivered another dominant team display, with six players finishing in double figures to highlight the depth, versatility and collective strength that have fueled their impressive run this season.The qualification marks another defining chapter in Dubai Basketball’s rapid rise since the team’s launch, with the team now firmly positioned among the title contenders in the ABA League.Dubai Basketball’s remarkable debut ABA League campaign will culminate in a showdown with Partizan in the 2026 ABA League Finals, with the regional title to be decided over a best-of-five series that promises a fierce battle between two of the competition’s standout teams.Holding home court advantage after finishing first in the Top 8 phase, the club will once again carry the hopes of Dubai and the UAE onto the European stage as they continue their pursuit of history.]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/dubai-basketball-make-history-after-securing-spot-in-aba-league-finals]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 10:52:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Swiatek cruises into fourth round, Rublev beats Borges]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/swiatek-cruises-into-fourth-round-rublev-beats-borges]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Four-time champion Iga Swiatek eased into the French Open fourth round with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Magda Linette in an all-Polish clash on Friday.Third seed Swiatek dug herself out of an early 2-0 hole against the 35th-ranked Linette, who won their most recent meeting at Miami in March.Swiatek broke three times in the opening set to nose ahead, and then surged into a 4-1 lead in the second set.She overcame a stumble as she tried to close it out, before sealing victory to set up an intriguing match-up with the in-form Marta Kostyuk.“It was a good match. I played much better than Miami,” said Swiatek, who moved to appoint Francisco Roig, a longtime coach of Rafael Nadal, in the wake of her loss to Linette two months ago.Kostyuk, the 15th seed, continued her fine run with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.She is unbeaten in 15 matches on clay this season following titles in Madrid and Rouen.“Marta is having a great season. She always had a game to play well,” said Swiatek.“So good for her. But I’m going to focus on myself, prepare tactically, as before any other match, and we’ll see.”Swiatek, however, has won in straight sets all three times she has played Kostyuk and has experience on her side in Paris, holding a 43-3 record overall at Roland Garros.Kostyuk previously reached the fourth round in Paris in 2021, when she lost to Swiatek.“I’m still the person who lost to her three times, and she’s won this tournament four times,” Kostyuk said. “I would love to be the one who is a favorite in this match, but I still don’t think it’s the case, even though I have this really long streak.”Also advancing to the fourth round was 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea, who routed Solana Sierra and became the oldest player in the Open Era to claim a 6-0 6-0 win in a Grand Slam tournament. She will next face Wang Xiyu of China, who beat Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3, 7-5. The Chinese qualifier has still not dropped a set in her campaign.Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva swept into the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Czech 27th seed Marie Bouzkova.The eighth-seeded Andreeva goes on to face either 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova or Jil Teichmann on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.Andreeva’s best Grand Slam run came at Roland Garros in 2024 when she reached the semi-finals.In men’s action, Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta reached the fourth round at a major for the first time since the 2022 US Open by defeating Argentina’s Thiago Tirante 7-6 (0), 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.Russian Andrey Rublev battled into the French Open last 16 for the second straight year as the 11th seed sealed a 7-5 7-6(2) 7-6(2) win over Portugal’s Nuno Borges on a warm Friday morning.He is among several players looking for their maiden Grand Slam title after the men’s draw was blown wide open following top seed Jannik Sinner’s loss on Thursday.The twice Paris quarter-finalist, who has never gone past that stage at any of the four Grand Slams, ran into stiff resistance in the opening two sets against Borges.Agencies]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/swiatek-cruises-into-fourth-round-rublev-beats-borges]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 10:47:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Gill hits 104 as Gujarat thrash Rajasthan by 7 wickets to set up title clash against RCB]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/gill-hits-104-as-gujarat-thrash-rajasthan-by-7-wickets-to-set-up-title-clash-against-rcb]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Shubman Gill’s majestic 104 off 53 balls and a record 167‑run opening partnership with B Sai Sudharsan powered Gujarat Titans to their highest successful chase in the IPL, as they overhauled Rajasthan Royals’ 214 in Qualifier 2 to book a spot in the title clash, where they will take on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.On a tricky two‑paced pitch with variable bounce, RR rode on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s sparkling yet mature 96, Ravindra Jadeja’s attacking 45, and Donovan Ferreira’s whirlwind 38 not out to post 214/6 in their 20 overs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.But Gill stepped up when it mattered the most to score his fifth IPL century, laced with 15 fours and three sixes coming at a strike-rate of 196.23 as Gujarat defeated Rajasthan by seven wickets.Though the rest of the GT batters finished off the chase, the game will be remembered for Gill’s brilliant hundred, where he didn’t mistime much and was at his classy best — finding the gaps with ease and being elegant in his pulls and lofts to bring RR’s season to an end.Sudharsan, meanwhile, hit 58 off 32 balls, before he extraordinarily fell hit wicket for a second consecutive time — losing control of the bat and hitting the stumps.GT’s chase of 215, completed with eight balls to spare, is their highest successful run‑chase as their usual template of Gill and Sudharsan scoring plenty of runs clicked yet again.The win now sends them into their third IPL final, where they will face RCB at their home ground, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The clash is a repeat of Qualifier 1, with the league’s top two sides contesting for their second IPL title.Electing to bat first, RR were jolted early by losses of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel before Jadeja provided impetus before retiring hurt with an elbow injury and returned later to make 45 off 35 balls. Ferreira then tore into Rashid Khan in the final over, bringing 27 runs, including smashing four sixes, to hit 38 off just 11 deliveries, while Sooryavanshi’s knock, different in nature from his Eliminator knock of 97, was just as impactful as his 96 off 47 balls was studded with eight fours and seven sixes.The teenager reached his fifty in 31 balls – his slowest half-century in the IPL, but added 46 runs in the next 17 deliveries.The hallmark of his knock was playing as per the situation with remarkable maturity and range of strokes, though he fell one hit short of a century once again. At 9/2, Jadeja, promoted up the order, joined Sooryavanshi to steady the ship.The left‑hander counter‑attacked, pulling Siraj for boundaries and a six, while Sooryavanshi, troubled by bouncers and not finding his usual timing, launched Rabada over the sightscreen for a 91‑metre maximum. The pair rebuilt briskly and hit boundaries well before Jadeja retired hurt due to an elbow issue.Rashid’s introduction backfired as Riyan Parag and Sooryavanshi hammered him for 18 runs in the ninth over. Jason Holder, however, pulled things back with wickets of Parag and Dasun Shanaka in quick succession, while Jofra Archer’s cameo was brought to a stiff end by Prasidh Krishna to leave RR at 120/5.Sooryavanshi dropped once on 46 by Sudharsan, capitalised with clean hitting. After bringing up his fifty, he accelerated with audacious strokes - with a forehand slap off Holder and a towering pull off Siraj being the standout shots.Jadeja returned after treatment and added crucial runs, even as Sooryavanshi cleared Washington Sundar twice for sixes in the 17th over. He looked set for his second IPL hundred of this season, but mistimed the upper cut and was caught at third man off Rabada.Ferreira then took centre stage. After taking two fours off Prasidh, he unleashed a stunning assault on Rashid in the final over — smashing four consecutive sixes, including an inside‑out loft over extra cover and a slog sweep over mid‑wicket, as his late surge lifted RR past the 210-run mark.GT’s chase began with Sudharsan and Gill taking down Jofra Archer, as 19 runs came off it. Gill then hit back-to-back boundaries against Archer in the latter’s next over to set the tone of a masterful run chase.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 10:43:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Rock-solid Arsenal ready for PSG test in Champions League final]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/30/rock-solid-arsenal-ready-for-psg-test-in-champions-league-final]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Arsenal’s pursuit of Champions League glory in Saturday’s final is likely to depend heavily on how well the core of their team deals with a rampaging Paris St Germain side.With the pressure of trying to deliver the Premier League title now released, Arsenal are seeking a glittering double and proof they are firmly part of Europe’s elite.They face a formidable challenge in Budapest against Luis Enrique’s outstanding PSG team, with their rare blend of eye-catching flair, intelligence and hard graft.But Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has built a spine to his side that might just be the perfect foil.At its base, goalkeeper David Raya has kept nine clean sheets in Arsenal’s 14-game unbeaten run to the final.Arteta acknowledges he ruffled some feathers when he brought the Spaniard in three years ago but views it as one of the decisions that helped Arsenal clinch their first domestic title in 22 years and reach their first Champions League final in 20.Arteta said the Premier League win had not lifted the pressure off his side’s players; rather, it had fuelled their fire to avenge their defeat by PSG in last year’s semi-finals.“The ambition is bigger,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “We have won and we want the second one... That has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations.”Arteta said he had no doubts about his team deserving their place on the biggest stage, but had to prove on Saturday they deserve to be crowned champions.“We are here because we’ve earned the right to be here, in the manner that we have performed in this competition -- tomorrow on that field we have to earn the right to win the trophy,” said the coach.In central defence, the pace and ball-playing composure of Frenchman William Saliba is balanced perfectly by Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaes’ raw aggression and knack of scoring vital goals - usually from corners.Gabriel, 28, joined Arsenal in 2020, less than a year after Arteta took over, and while there was talk they might have to sell him to raise funds at one stage that now seems unthinkable.The centre back has consistently proved his importance to the side, such as the last-ditch intervention that prevented Atletico Madrid’s Giuliano Simeone levelling in the semi-final.In big games “somebody has to deliver a magic moment”, Arteta said, “and Gabriel again delivered that”.MIDFIELD HORSEPOWER: If Arsenal are to prevent PSG running wild, as they did in last year’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the showpiece match, £105 million ($141 million) record signing Declan Rice will have to be firing on all cylinders in midfield.Dubbed “the horse” due to the amount of work he gets through, the 27-year-old’s relentless running, pinpoint set-pieces and tireless tackling are central to Arsenal’s game.He played in all but one of Arsenal’s Premier League matches before they wrapped up the title and has racked up well over 3,000 minutes in all competitions this season, second to Raya.“It’s a final, anything can happen,” Rice told the BBC. “We are going to be ready for it. We want the double.”At the top of Arsenal’s spine is likely to be close-season signing Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored five goals in the Champions League campaign.That might look modest compared to the 10 of PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but the Sweden striker also triggers Arsenal’s early press — key to why PSG coach Luis Enrique thinks his opponents are “the best team in the world without the ball.”Enrique insisted his team are not favourites to defend their crown.“Finals are always difficult games, last year was exceptional, we did dominate against Inter,” said the Asturian coach.“In the final tomorrow I don’t think there’s a favourite and, I’m being honest with you, for us the devil is in the detail. It will be a very close call.“We will have to give our all for the 90 minutes but also enjoy them. There’s waves of tension but it’s also about knowing how to manage that stress.”Luis Enrique said the clash of styles between PSG and Arsenal was not as apparent as some make out, despite the disparity in the teams’ statistics.“I’d say that rather than two different approaches, they are two similar approaches but with different tactics, because they are a team that also scores goals, and we are a team that also defends well, but we do so in different ways,” added the coach.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 10:42:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Al Etihad Cup and Para-Karate Championship to mark end of season]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/federation-cup-and-people-of-determination-championship-to-mark-end-of-karate-season]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[The UAE Karate Federation has announced that the 2025-2026 season will conclude on Saturday with the staging of two championships: the Al Etihad Cup for Kumite teams and the Para-Karate Championship, featuring broad participation from clubs and sports centers.The two events reaffirm support for sporting talent and promote the values of challenge, determination, and excellence. The competitions will be held at Sharjah Club’s Al Hazanah branch hall.During the final day, an awards ceremony will be held to honour the working committees and supporting personalities in appreciation of their efforts and contributions to the success of the sporting season, in a sporting atmosphere that reflects the spirit of cooperation and achievement in karate.The tournament is witnessing strong participation, with 168 male and female athletes representing nine clubs and sports centers in the Al Etihad Cup for Kumite teams, while 47 male and female athletes representing eight clubs and sports centers are participating in the Para-Karate Championship.The competitions will begin at 9am amid high-level technical and organizational preparations to ensure the success of the sporting event. Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Board Member of the UAE Karate Federation and Chairman of the Competitions CommitteeFor his part, stated that the Para-Karate Championship received strong interest and response from participating clubs and centers, with the number of registered participants reaching 47 athletes.Nuaimi said: “This season’s championships witnessed great success, with all categories being held without the cancellation of any division throughout the season according to the scheduled plan, alongside an increase in the number of participants across all categories, which is a very positive indicator.”]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 22:37:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Messi leads Argentina squad for sixth FIFA World Cup]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/messi-leads-argentina-squad-for-sixth-fifa-world-cup]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Argentina named their 26-man squad for the World Cup on Thursday, with Lionel Messi set to lead the defending champions ‌at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.The 38-year-old ​Inter Miami ⁠forward will play in his sixth World Cup, ‌extending his national record, ‌while Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players ‌returning from the squad that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022.Coach ⁠Lionel Scaloni retained the core of the side that won Argentina's third world title, although veteran winger Angel Di Maria was not considered after retiring from international football following the 2024 Copa America.Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, ​returned for his second finals after being part of Argentina's ‌squad in Russia in 2018 without making an appearance.Argentina also included several younger players expected to lead the team's next generation, including Valentin ⁠Barco, Nicolas Paz and Giuliano Simeone, while forwards Jose Manuel Lopez and Thiago Almada are among those set for their first World Cup appearances.Local ​media reports ‌said left back Marcos Acuna, part of the 2022 title-winning ‌squad, missed out because of fitness concerns.Argentina will open their Group J campaign against Algeria on June 16 before facing Jordan and Austria.Squad: Goalkeepers: ‌Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo ‌Rulli, Juan Musso.Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi, ⁠Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas ‌Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina.Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac ⁠Allister, Enzo Fernandez.Forwards: Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, ​Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez.Reuters ]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 17:43:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Japan bans photos at beach volleyball after &#039;malicious&#039; pictures of players]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/japan-bans-photos-at-beach-volleyball-after-malicious-pictures-of-players]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Spectators at a top beach volleyball competition in Japan this weekend will be banned from taking photos or videos after organisers said fans had been responsible for "malicious" shots of players.The Japan Volleyball Association said recording images on any device, including smart glasses, would be prohibited at the Tonarino round of the country's beach volleyball tour for men and women, taking place on Saturday and Sunday.The ban carries on from last week's round in the coastal city of Hekinan, where the JVA said players had complained that they were "unable to concentrate on their performance.""Despite our repeated guidance and reminders regarding the rules and etiquette for photography, we have observed malicious photography by some spectators at the Hekinan round," the JVA said upon introducing the ban."We take a very serious view of the fact that inappropriate photography has not improved despite repeated warnings."The JVA expanded its ban for this weekend's event to include binoculars, opera glasses and similar devices."We sincerely apologise to all those who were looking forward to watching and taking photographs, but our top priority is to maintain an environment where the competing athletes can concentrate on their performance with peace of mind," the JVA said.Sports authorities in Japan have made repeated efforts to protect athletes from inappropriate photography.The country's women's team uniforms at the 2024 Paris Olympics were made from a special material that blocks infrared photos highlighting underwear.Japan's gymnastics association also introduced a photograph permit system at events.Agence France-Presse ]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 16:50:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[New buzz in F1: Ancient wasp species named after Piastri]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/new-buzz-in-f1-ancient-wasp-species-named-after-piastri]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[A newly discovered species of wasp dating from ‌the time of the dinosaurs and ​found ⁠preserved in Burmese amber ‌has been named ‌after McLaren Formula One driver Oscar Piastri.A research article ‌in the June issue of academic ⁠journal Palaeoworld named the insect, found in northern Myanmar and dating from the middle Cretaceous period, as 'Gwesped Piastrii'."The specific epithet honours Mr. ​Oscar Piastri for his achievements in ‌Formula One, and because the colour of the amber piece ⁠recalled to the first author the iconic McLaren orange," the article explained.The Cretaceous ​period ‌ended 65 million years ‌ago.Piastri, 25, made his Formula One debut in 2023 and has won ‌nine grands ‌prix.The Australian, currently ⁠attending the Isle of ‌Man TT races with a weekend off before the June ⁠7 Monaco Grand ​Prix, had yet to comment on the accolade.Reuters]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 09:39:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Magical Mateta propels Palace to Conference League glory in Glasner farewell]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/magical-mateta-propels-palace-to-conference-league-glory-in-glasner-farewell]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday to secure the club’s first European trophy in their history.After a cagey opening half with few clear chances, Mateta turned in a rebound for the game’s only goal on 51 minutes, sending departing coach Oliver Glasner off in style.Glasner signs off with a third trophy in two years as Palace manager, the most successful period in the club’s history, after dashing Rayo’s hopes of landing their first major silverware.“The difference he (Glasner) has made in two and a half years is incredible,” Palace midfielder Adam Wharton told TNT Sports.“Three trophies, the first in the history of the club, first European competition and winning it.“He’s got to be one of the best managers Palace have had and he’s made a huge difference to how the club looks at competitions now -- we’re looking to win it.”The victory also completed Glasner’s objective of returning Palace to the Europa League, the competition they qualified to play in this season before falling foul of multi-club ownership rules and being demoted to the Conference League.The Austrian, already a Europa League champion with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, once again showed his excellence in knockout competitions.Palace overcame the sales of star players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi this season, and the fallout from the latter’s January move to Manchester City, to cap their first full venture into European competition with a title.France striker Mateta, the hero on the night, was a failed medical away from leaving Palace for AC Milan this winter.“I feel fantastic,” said Mateta. “First time in Europe, we did it! Now I just want to celebrate, I just want to party.“I’m tired, man. I gave everything. The team gave everything and that’s why we won today.”Palace became the third London side in four years to win the competition, after West Ham in 2023 and Chelsea in 2025, demonstrating the Premier League’s unmatched financial muscle.With Aston Villa already Europa League winners, Premier League champions Arsenal can complete a clean sweep in European competition by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday.Palace received a boost just before kick-off when Wharton overcame an ankle injury to start.Underdogs in their semi-final triumph over Strasbourg, who belong to the same BlueCo consortium which owns Chelsea, Rayo arrived in Leipzig riding a rich vein of form, unbeaten in nine matches.With Rayo finishing eighth and Palace 15th in their respective domestic leagues, both knew victory on Wednesday was their only hope of returning to the European stage next season.Rayo had the first chance of the match when Alemao flashed just wide of the post with 25 minutes gone.Palace spurned a golden chance for the opener just before the break. Wharton looped an inch-perfect cross over the Rayo defence but Tyrick Mitchell’s header floated just wide.The game burst into life early in the second half as Palace eventually found their stride.Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla got two hands to Wharton’s powerful shot from the edge of the box but could only parry the ball into the path of Mateta, who reacted quickly to tap home.Palace came within inches of doubling their lead soon after, as Yeremy Pino crashed a free-kick against both posts. The ball ricocheted off a defender and struck the woodwork a third time before Rayo somehow managed to clear.In truth, Palace were rarely troubled after taking the lead, keeping Rayo largely at bay and adding another trophy to last year’s breakthrough FA Cup success and the Community Shield at the start of this season.Agencies]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/magical-mateta-propels-palace-to-conference-league-glory-in-glasner-farewell]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 09:35:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Gujarat look to bounce back and seal final berth with victory over red-hot Rajasthan in do-or-die IPL clash]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/gujarat-look-to-bounce-back-and-seal-final-berth-with-victory-over-red-hot-rajasthan-in-do-or-die-ipl-clash]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Gujarat Titans know they must be at their absolute best to stop a Rajasthan Royals side playing some of the most explosive cricket of the season, when the two sides meet in a do-or-die Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday.The stakes could not be higher. A win will help the Gujarat Titans book their place in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where they will again take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday. But a loss would mean that a campaign that promised much would come to an abrupt end.GT arrive in New Chandigarh with something to prove -- their Qualifier 1 game against RCB in Dharamshala ended in a heavy 92-run defeat, their worst performance of the season at the worst possible time. Rahul Tewatia’s gutsy fifty offered a rare positive in an otherwise lopsided contest, where their menacing new-ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj could not contain a rampant RCB batting lineup.GT will need their opening pair of captain Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan, and number three Jos Buttler to fire on Friday, and hope for their bowling line-up to stop a rampaging Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from making big runs. RR, meanwhile, have won three on the trot and arrive in Qualifier 2 brimming with confidence after saying goodbye to Sunrisers Hyderabad.The catalyst has been 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, who is fast becoming the tournament’s defining story. His 97 off just 29 balls against SRH in the Eliminator was breathtaking and astonishing in equal measure. He now wears the Orange Cap with 680 runs at a staggering strike rate of 243 and also broke Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a single IPL season by taking his tally to 65 maximums.The pairing of Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal has combined for 747 runs at a strike rate of 206 – making them the most productive partnership of IPL 2026, ahead of Gill-Sudharsan. Dhruv Jurel has enjoyed a career-best season with 508 runs at a strike rate of 155, while skipper Riyan Parag has provided calm leadership throughout.With the ball, Jofra Archer has been RR’s most potent weapon - 24 wickets at a strike rate of 14, including 14 in the powerplay. The England pacer’s battle against the GT top order will also be one of the most anticipated duels of the evening. Ravindra Jadeja adds match-winning balance with both bat and ball and brings invaluable playoffs experience to the RR dressing room.GT hold a commanding 7-3 head-to-head record over RR and famously beat them in both the 2022 Qualifier 1 and the final. But this season, the scores are level - GT won by 77 runs in Jaipur, while RR had a six-run victory in Ahmedabad.The venue, however, leans firmly in RR’s favour – they have won all four matches in New Chandigarh this season, while GT have managed just one win from three outings here. Come Friday, and both sides will be chasing their third IPL final appearance. For GT, it is about rediscovering their best in the biggest moment, while for RR, it is about sustaining a momentum that feels, right now, unstoppable.Meanwhile, IPL 2026: GT confident of bowling plans against Sooryavanshi, says Parthiv Patel New Chandigarh, May 28 (IANS) Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel said the team is confident of its bowling attack and its plans are in place to counter teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, to be played at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Friday.Young Sooryavanshi’s match-up against GT’s new ball pair of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada will be one of the biggest subplots in deciding who will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the title clash, to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.“I am not a broadcaster right now, and I am not there on the pre-show of Star Sports. So I can’t tell you what plans I have made. But it feels really good about the way he is batting. Hopefully, we will try to get him out early in the game. As all the teams are planning, we have seen the videos.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 09:32:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Sinner cites fatigue after Paris loss, eyes rest before Wimbledon]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/29/sinner-cites-fatigue-after-paris-loss-eyes-rest-before-wimbledon]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Jannik Sinner said his lack of energy in a stunning French Open loss on Thursday was down to a combination of factors including a long claycourt ‌swing, during which he played and won three successive events to arrive as the ​favourite in Paris.Sinner, who was targeting a maiden French Open title and ‌career Grand Slam in the ‌absence of his injured rival Carlos Alcaraz, was hampered by illness for a 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-1 6-1 second-round defeat by Juan Manuel Cerundolo.After titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid and ‌Rome, and a comfortable victory in his Paris opener, Sinner fell flat on Court Philippe Chatrier.“In general, many things came together... I played a lot and I didn’t have a lot of time to recover,” Sinner said in a packed press conference room.“I came here, first match, really good, really solid... even though I finished late, but not crazy late.“This morning I didn’t sleep well. When I woke up, I was ​struggling a bit, but this can happen. Usually in Grand Slams you ‌have a couple of days where you don’t feel perfect. “That was today.”While heat and humidity have often tripped up Sinner during big events, the world number one, who hails from northern Italy’s South Tyrol, said he was at ease in Paris despite the mercury going past 30 degrees Celsius.“Shanghai (in October) was very tough. The humidity was high,” Sinner said about his ​retirement in ‌the Chinese city.“Australia was very warm (this year), I remember. It’s different when you ‌play on hardcourts, because the heat also comes from underneath,” Sinner explained.“Here, it was warm, but it was okay. It wasn’t like I was dying because of the heat. Today, it ‌was a completely ‌different scenario, but this can happen.“It’s tough to accept, of course, because of the position I’ve been in and ‌everything considered, but now I have a lot of time to recover.”Sinner said he would consider skipping grasscourt tune-up tournaments before his title defence begins at Wimbledon, where the main draw gets underway on June 29.“I ​won’t play any tournament on grass before (Wimbledon), most likely,” he added.“I need really some time off to recover completely, also mentally, and then be ready to go again.”Earlier, Novak Djokovic extended his latest bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title with a four-set victory over Valentin Royer in the French Open second round on Wednesday.Djokovic had to come from a set down in his opening match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and was pushed hard again by another Frenchman in Royer, before finally sealing a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3 win after three and three-quarter hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.“I hope I won’t play any more French players for the rest of the tournament,” said the third seed, who has been tied on 24 Grand Slam titles with Margaret Court since winning the 2023 US Open, with a wry smile.Djokovic, who beat world number one Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open last four earlier this year, cannot meet the red-hot title favourite until the final at Roland Garros.Djokovic powered through the first two sets, although world number 74 Royer, born just 5km from Roland Garros, showed much more resistance in the third before extending the match in a brilliant tie-break.The Serb, who twice failed to consolidate breaks of serve in the third set, made no such mistake in the fourth as he belatedly booked his place in the next round on his fifth match point.Czech Jakub Mensik, the only player other than Djokovic to beat Sinner this year, needed eight match points before eventually downing Mariano Navone 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13/11).Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time, seeing off James Duckworth 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-5.Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Rybakina blew a one-set lead to exit in dramatic fashion, slumping to a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/4) loss to Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.It is Rybakina’s earliest departure from any tour-level tournament since the 2025 Miami Open and first defeat in the opening two rounds of a major since the 2024 Australian Open.“I couldn’t find the balance. I couldn’t find the right shot, and it was clearly just too many mistakes,” said the Kazakh world number two.Starodubtseva will face China’s Wang Xiyu for a place in the last 16.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 09:30:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[From barefoot kid to millionaire star, Caicedo keeps chasing trophies]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/28/from-barefoot-kid-to-millionaire-star-caicedo-keeps-chasing-trophies]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Moises Caicedo lifted his first trophy, a golden plastic cup, among the tightly packed little houses of a working-class neighbourhood in Ecuador. This summer he is heading to his second World Cup.The tiny prize he won was lent by a neighbour to give a group of children a taste of victory.A photograph from those childhood tournaments remains a treasured possession of Jeremy Cedeno, a childhood friend of the Chelsea defensive midfielder who, at the age of 24, will be playing in his second World Cup from June 11.It shows Caicedo kneeling, surrounded by five young teammates, beaming, his hands clutching the small winners' cup from a tournament in the working-class neighbourhood of Mujer Trabajadora, in the province of Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas in central Ecuador."There wasn't even a referee," Cedeno told AFP. "Oh my, the tackles were fierce!"Caicedo wore that same smile on his face as he lifted the Club World Cup trophy with the Blues in the United States in July 2025. He had tied the Ecuadorian flag around his waist."We're incredibly proud," said Cedeno, a 24-year-old paramedic, "because he's from here, from the neighbourhood, where he used to play barefoot."Caicedo's transfer from Brighton to Chelsea, for a reported 115 million pounds (147m dollars) set a record for English football in 2023. He appeared 50 times for Chelsea this season scoring five goals.Caicedo, the youngest of 10 children, used to sell flowers in a cemetery to help his family. He is the most expensive player in the Ecuadorian national team, for whom he made his debut aged 18 and has already racked up 60 caps, scoring three cars.In his hometown of Santo Domingo, Caicedo's face appears on murals, shirts and even on the shin guards of children who dream of following in his footsteps, such as nine-year-old Julian Hidalgo.The young boy, who says he admires Caicedo's intelligence and speed, is coached by the same trainer, Ivan Guerra."We remind them that Caicedo started out at this football school, that the pitch was mud, stones and sand, sometimes with shards of glass," Guerra, 58, told AFP. "We teach the kids to work hard if they want to make their dreams come true."'Sense of belonging'He recalls seeing Caicedo play on the street with friends, the financial struggles in organising matches, and how Caicedo helped him park cars in the city's party district to earn a few coins for the club.Darwin Castillo coached Caicedo as a teenager at the Jaipadida club. He remembers a shy boy, in some ways "just another kid" but who already stood out for his fierce determination and exceptional physique."Moises's discipline comes from his upbringing at home... a very poor family who prayed before eating," he says.Caicedo last year was awarded a medal for sporting merit by the Ecuadorian National Assembly."Ever since I was a little boy, I've always wanted to become a professional footballer" while remaining "the same humble lad who doesn't forget where he comes from," he said at the presentation.Castillo said the player has kept his word.He has "a sense of belonging and is still making up, for or doing things, he could not do during his childhood" due to a lack of money, he explains.Caicedo spends his holidays in Ecuador where he goes to the beach, riding the Ferris wheel and kicks a ball around with his former coaches and friends, becoming, for a moment, that little boy who used to lift plastic trophies.Agence France-Presse]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 11:20:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Rosenqvist takes $4.34m from record $30m Indy 500 purse]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/28/rosenqvist-takes-434m-from-record-30m-indy-500-purse]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist earned a winner's record prize of $4.34 million from a highest-ever Indianapolis 500 purse of nearly $31 million, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced on Monday.A day after Rosenqvist edged American David Malukas by 0.0233 seconds in the closest finish in Indy 500 history, he received a historic payout, the fifth consecutive record purse for the famed oval race.The average payout for the 33-car field was $936,500, far above last year's average of $596,500.Last year's Indy 500 purse was $20,283,000 and the winner payout was $3.8 million."The Indianapolis 500 continues to make history in more ways than one," IndyCar and Speedway president J. Douglas Boles said."The month of May featured a back-to-back grandstand sellout crowd -- our largest crowd since the 100th running in 2016 -- and intense on track action with the most lead changes ever (70)."And now the largest purse. There's no better end to a memorable month."Mick Schumacher, the 27-year-old German son of seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, was named Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. He took home $218,800 for finishing 18th in the field of 33, the top finish for any of the four Indy 500 newcomers.Agence France-Presse]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 11:14:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Coach Scaloni optimistic on Messi recovery as WC looms]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/28/coach-scaloni-optimistic-on-messi-recovery-as-wc-looms]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the initial news regarding superstar Lionel Messi’s fitness “is not that bad” and hopes further examinations will confirm that diagnosis with the World Cup just a fortnight away.Messi has been diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami after he made an abrupt exit from Miami’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia in the 73rd minute on Sunday.Even at 38 and eying a sixth World Cup finals appearance, Messi remains the side’s talisman for the defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.“Obviously we would have preferred that nothing had happened,” Scaloni told Argentinian TV station DSports on Tuesday.“Now one has to wait and see how it evolves and above all the new tests they are going to conduct in order to see if it confirms their original diagnosis.”Scaloni, who is due to name his squad next week, added he had watched the match on TV at the federation’s headquarters and been relieved that Messi had asked to come off.Inter manager Guillermo Hoyos explained after the match Messi was tired, the pitch was heavy and no-one wanted to take a risk with his fitness.Inter Miami issued a statement on Monday saying: “The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.”That gave little indication about the status of the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner.Argentina are set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.They then play Austria on June 22 and round off their Group J campaign against Jordan on June 28.Messi has managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, with team staff regularly excusing him from matches in congested fixture periods.MLS has started a break in its season for the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the finals.His great Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo and potentially Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa would also be making a sixth appearance.Argentina are set to play two pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9, both in the United States.Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.Argentina enter the global showpiece as defending champions. They’ll compete in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria (June 22) and Jordan (June 27).While Messi hasn’t formally declared he’ll participate in his record sixth World Cup, he’s expected to captain Lionel Scaloni’s side this summer alongside Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul.Messi led La Albiceleste to the 2022 World Cup title and is approaching 200 caps for his country. He has appeared in a record 26 World Cup matches while producing 13 goals and 8 assits.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 11:08:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Svitolina, Swiatek sail; stupendous Starodubtseva sends stuttering second seed Rybakina packing]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/28/svitolina-swiatek-sail-stupendous-starodubtseva-sends-stuttering-second-seed-rybakina-packing]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Iga Swiatek has improved her career record at the French Open to 42-3.The four-time champion eliminated 35th-ranked Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round on Wednesday.Swiatek won Roland Garros in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.With a heat wave still a factor in Paris, seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina extended a run of solid form with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Kaitlin Quevedo.Svitolina is on an eight-match winning streak after raising the Italian Open trophy.Also, 11th-seeded Belinda Bencic beat American opponent Caty McNally 6-4, 6-0.For the fourth straight day of this year’s tournament, the temperature was forecast to rise to at least 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit).Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina suffered a shock early exit in the French Open second round on Wednesday at the hands of unseeded Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva.The Kazakh world number two blew a one-set lead in dramatic fashion at Roland Garros, slumping to a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/4) loss.“Honestly, hard to describe, I’m super happy,” said world number 55 Starodubtseva after beating a top-10 opponent for the first time in her career.“I’m super proud of myself that I was able to do this today. It was a tricky third set but I got it done in the end.”It is Rybakina’s earliest exit from any WTA tournament since the 2025 Miami Open and first defeat in the opening two rounds of a major since the 2024 Australian Open.Starodubtseva will face either in-form American 26th seed Hailey Baptiste or China’s Wang Xiyu for a place in the last 16.She has already matched her previous best run at a Grand Slam event, when she lost to Jasmine Paolini in the French Open third round as a lucky loser 12 months ago.Rybakina started strongly on a sweltering Court Suzanne Lenglen, easing into a 5-1 lead before wrapping up the opening set.But her game quickly unravelled as an inspired Starodubtseva reeled off the first five games of the second en route to taking the set.Rybakina was on the ropes as she quickly lost the opening three games of the decider to slip a double-break behind.She dug deep, though, to get a break back and then stave off two break points to cut the gap to 3-2.Another Rybakina break followed just as the clock reached the two-hour mark, bringing the third set level at 4-4.Starodubtseva regrouped just when she looked to be wilting, doggedly holding serve in the 12th game to force a breaker.The deciding tie-break started with a Rybakina double fault, and Starodubtseva wasted little time in stretching 6-2 in front.She completed the biggest win of her career on her second match point when Rybakina sent a forehand flying wide.“You can’t be thinking it will be easy, even at 3-0 (in the third set), I was thinking this might still not be easy,” said Starodubtseva.Meanwhile, sweltering conditions during the opening week of this year’s French Open have added a fresh challenge, with players including Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina saying success will hinge on who adapts best over the course of ‌the tournament.Like much of Western Europe, France is experiencing higher-than-normal temperatures in May, with the mercury climbing ​past 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) in Paris and baking the red clay at Roland Garros on the ‌opening four days.While the dry heat ‌falls short of furnace-like conditions often seen at the Australian Open in January, it has quickened the courts and tested players by placing a premium on managing their bodies and constructing points carefully.In hot conditions, the ball travels faster ‌through the air and bounces higher off the dry clay, shortening reaction times, quickening rallies and making control tougher, especially in longer exchanges as players adjust to the livelier surface.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 11:02:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Sooryavanshi’s blitz guides Royals to Qualifier 2 of IPL]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/28/sooryavanshis-blitz-guides-royals-to-qualifier-2-of-ipl]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered one of the best innings in Indian Premier League (IPL) knockout history before Jofra Archer tore through the top order as Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 47 runs in the Eliminator of IPL in New Chandigarh.With this win, the Rajasthan Royals advanced to Qualifier 2, where they will meet the Gujarat Titans.Sooryavanshi scored an incredible 97 off just 28 balls, leading RR to a total of 243 for 8. This score proved much too high for SRH, even though they launched a brave counterattack in their chase. The 15-year-old hit a 16-ball fifty, tying Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest half-century in an IPL playoff. He also surpassed Chris Gayle for the most sixes in a T20 tournament. He missed out on Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century by three runs when he top-edged Praful Hinge to deep third while on 97, but he had thoroughly disrupted SRH’s bowling strategy.Pat Cummins started with defensive field placements and heavy yorkers, but Sooryavanshi’s assault turned the Power-play into total chaos. RR raced to 63 without losing a wicket in four overs and reached 125 for 1 in just eight. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal struggled to 29 off 29 balls in what became one of the oddest supporting roles in T20 cricket.The momentum hardly slowed after Sooryavanshi’s dismissal. Dhruv Jurel slammed a 20-ball fifty, dismantling Cummins with scoops, pulls, and straight hits as RR surged to 192 for 3 in 13.5 overs. Riyan Parag contributed 26, while late efforts from Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja pushed RR past 240, despite a disciplined finish from Nitish Kumar Reddy.In pursuit of 244, SRH started in disarray. Archer struck on the second ball of the innings with a brutal short delivery, forcing Abhishek Sharma (0) to glove the ball to the keeper. However, SRH did not give up easily. Ishan Kishan unleashed 33 off 11 while Travis Head joined the early assault, helping SRH reach 51 for 1 in 2.4 overs in a thrilling exchange.Archer, however, changed the game entirely. Kishan (33) edged a catch to cover while attempting another aggressive shot, and soon after, Nandre Burger dismissed Ravichandran Smaran (1) with a hard-length delivery. Archer then bowled Head (17) with a 150kph delivery that hit the top of off stump. SRH fell to 57 for 4 in 4.4 overs, with Archer once again making a significant impact at a crucial stage of the tournament.Heinrich Klaasen (18) briefly raised hopes with an impressive six off legspinner Yash Raj Punja, but RR successfully reviewed his lbw after he missed a reverse sweep. SRH kept attacking with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Impact Player Salil Arora, whose 50-run partnership came off just 19 balls, but RR continued to take wickets. Jadeja dismissed Reddy for 38 off 20 by restricting his movement, while Pat Cummins (1) fell while trying to clear long-on, with Archer making a fine catch at the boundary.Arora continued his fightback and added 24 runs with Shivang Kumar, who then added 24 further with Eshan Malinga, but the fall of wickets continued for SRH as RR cruised to victory by 47 runs.Jofra Archer finished with the surreal figures of 4-0-58-3, expensive on paper, especially after even Shivang Kumar took him on in a 16-run 17th over - but the numbers barely captured his impact on the Eliminator. Archer struck with the second ball of the chase to remove Abhishek Sharma, then returned to dismiss the dangerous Ishan Kishan and blasted through Travis Head with a 150kph thunderbolt. Those three wickets at the top of the order ultimately tilted the match decisively in the Rajasthan Royals’ favour. Jadeja, Burger, and Sushant took two wickets each.Earlier, the 15-year-old set records with a remarkable display of hitting. He reached his fifty in just 16 balls, matching the fastest in an IPL playoff, alongside Suresh Raina’s effort in 2014. Sooryavanshi also broke Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a T20 tournament. Just three runs shy of the fastest IPL hundred, he fell for 97 off 28 balls after completely dismantling SRH’s bowling strategy and turning the powerplay into chaos.Pat Cummins used an unusual defensive strategy, placing deep square leg and deep midwicket for Sooryavanshi. He bowled almost exclusively full and straight to limit Sooryavanshi’s scoring opportunities. The plan almost worked for three balls until one well-placed delivery sailed over mid-off for six.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 10:59:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Giant Messi statue in India to be removed over safety concerns]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/giant-messi-statue-in-india-to-be-removed-over-safety-concerns]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[A giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi erected in India to mark his visit last year is "swaying in the wind" and will be removed, a lawmaker told AFP on Wednesday.Workers have scrambled up the 21-metre (70-foot) golden-coloured statue in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, throwing ropes around its shoulders to secure it.The sculpture showing the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star raising the World Cup trophy was unveiled during Messi's so-called GOAT Tour of India in December.But West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said it was no longer safe."The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government," he said."We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind."Workers on Wednesday used ropes to attempt to secure the statue, which looms over a busy road.Mukherjee said it was not clear when it would be brought down."Removal has proved easier said than done," he said. "We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity."He did not say whether the statue would be re-erected at another site.Argentina is set to begin its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.Messi has not formally confirmed his plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament.He remains the side's talisman for the defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.India -- a nation of 1.4 billion -- is a cricket powerhouse, but struggles on the football pitch and is 142nd on the FIFA rankings.Football, however, is the country's second favourite sport, according to research by data company Nielsen released on Wednesday.Agence France-Presse ]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 16:43:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[UAE Badminton Federation organises first Olympic Pathway training camp]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/participants-during-the-training-camp-at-the-zayed-sports-complex-in-fujairah]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[The UAE Badminton Federation, with the support of the UAE Committee for Sponsoring Sports Talents and Supporting National Sports, successfully organized the first badminton training camp within its Olympic Pathway Programme 2036–2040.The camp was held at Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah and featured the participation of 91 male and female players from the Under-13 and Under-15 age categories.The camp forms part of a long-term Olympic development strategy aimed at identifying and nurturing national talents capable of representing the UAE in regional and international competitions.The programme is designed around specialized training methodologies that incorporate the latest technical and athletic development practices.The training program was supervised by Danish High Performance Director Michael Noerbaek, alongside coach Nathan Rice and UAE National Team coach Mahmoud Tayfour. The camp included intensive technical and physical training sessions focused on enhancing players’ performance levels and refining their skills through a modern scientific training approach.Salem Khamis Al Mazrouei, Vice President of the UAE Badminton Federation and Chairman of the Technical Committee, emphasized that the camp represents a key milestone in the federation’s strategy to develop a future Emirati Olympic champion by building a strong foundation of young players and providing integrated development programs guided by world-class expertise.Mazrouei stated: “We are working under a clear long-term vision aimed at preparing an Emirati Olympic athlete capable of competing at the highest international level. These camps represent one of the main pillars of our talent identification and development system, where we focus on enhancing the technical, physical, and mental capabilities of players in accordance with the highest international standards.”He added: “We firmly believe that investing in younger age categories is the most effective pathway toward future achievements. We highly appreciate the continuous support provided by the UAE Committee for Sponsoring Sports Talents and Supporting National Sports, which plays a vital role in implementing high-quality programs that strengthen the progress of UAE badminton and support its Olympic ambitions.”The camp witnessed strong enthusiasm and engagement from participating players, reflecting the federation’s commitment to providing a professional training environment that contributes to discovering promising talents and developing their abilities in preparation for future inclusion in the UAE national team programmes.This training camp is part of the federation’s broader plan to enhance the player development system and increase competitiveness across all age categories, in alignment with the UAE’s vision of supporting sports talents and creating future champions capable of achieving success at continental, international, and Olympic levels.]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 09:03:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Stupendous Sabalenka wins as Gauff begins title defence with victory, Osaka advances at French Open]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/stupendous-sabalenka-wins-as-gauff-begins-title-defence-with-victory-osaka-advances-at-french-open]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Aryna Sabalenka’s diamonds sparkled in the sun when she won her first-round match at the heat-soaked French Open on Tuesday.Top-ranked Sabalenka looked light on her feet on Court Philippe-Chatrier, despite wearing two thick necklaces in a 6-4, 6-2 win against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.“Diamonds, I don’t really feel the heaviness, but I can imagine how it looks from the outside,” said Sabalenka, the tournament runner-up last year to Coco Gauff. “So I feel pretty comfortable. For me, it’s important to look good.”The four-time major winner was initially going to wear three necklaces but said she thought that might be too much.“It probably sounds a bit crazy, but when I feel good about what I’m wearing, how I look on court, I tend to perform much better,” she said.“I like to bring a little bit of a fashion on the tennis court. I know the dress that I will wear on the Grand Slam, and I just try to come up with something to match the outfit.”Sabalenka said she wasn’t worried over her jewelry away from Roland Garros.“I have my fiancé. He’s kind of like my security,” she said, smiling. “My physio does jujitsu, so I feel pretty secure walking around. If I go somewhere, I don’t go alone.”Gauff began her title defense with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over fellow American Taylor Townsend, while four-time major winner Naomi Osaka beat Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.The fashion-conscious Osaka again caught the eye with a sequined gold playing dress.For a third consecutive day, the temperature in Paris was forecast to rise to at least 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit).Osaka turned heads with another sparkling Grand Slam fashion statement on Tuesday and the ‌former world number one matched it with striking tennis to ​dismantle unseeded German Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6(3) in ‌the French Open first ‌round.Months after dazzling with a jellyfish-inspired outfit at the Australian Open, Osaka walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a sequined ‌waistcoat blouse and a black mesh floor-length train before unveiling a layered yellow-brown and gold match dress.“Honestly it’s very couture,” Osaka said in her on-court interview about her kit. “Funnily enough, I feel like ... you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I think I look like that a ​bit.”Siegemund, far more understated in attire, held her own ‌once the clash began but four-times Grand Slam champion Osaka quickly took control of the opening set with her power and aggression to close it out with minimum fuss.As the blazing afternoon sun made conditions more difficult for players, Osaka allowed the ​momentum to ‌shift slightly in the next set, but the 16th ‌seed saved a set point and powered back from 5-3 down to force a tiebreak and prevail.“I felt really nervous but for ‌me, I ‌haven’t played on this court in a little while, so it’s nice to ‌get out here and play in front of everyone,” Osaka added.“It’s really hot so I hope everyone is drinking water.”Osaka takes on 2024 Paris Olympics ​silver medallist Donna Vekic in the next round after the Croat eased past local hope Alice Tubello.The unusually hot conditions at Roland Garros make net-rushing — usually better reserved for hard and grass courts — a viable option because the court is drying out quicker and playing faster.Daniil Medvedev usually thrives in such conditions but he struggled in a five-set loss to 97th-ranked Australian opponent Adam Walton.Walton, who received a wild card invitation from tournament organizers, beat Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. It was Medvedev’s second straight first round exit here and third in four years.“I know why I don’t really play my best in Roland Garros, but if I say it, it’s (making) excuses,” he said. “So I keep it to myself.”Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2021 runner-up to Novak Djokovic, was leading 6-2, 3-0 against Alexandre Muller when his French opponent retired. Muller wiped away tears as he left the court and later said he injured his right calf, three months after injuring his left calf.Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 09:01:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Patidar shines as RCB storm into second straight IPL final]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/patidar-shines-as-rcb-storm-into-second-straight-ipl-final]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a complete all-round performance to defeat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs and seal their place in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday. With this win, the defending champions reached the IPL final for the second season in a row.Chasing a massive target of 255, the Gujarat Titans never managed to recover after losing wickets regularly. Pacer Jacob Duffy led the bowling attack brilliantly with three important wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, and Krunal Pandya picked up two wickets each.Gujarat started positively with Sai Sudharsan attacking Jacob Duffy in the third over. However, in a strange moment, Sudharsan lost his bat while playing a shot, and the bat bounced back onto the stumps, ending his innings for 14 runs off nine balls.Bhuvneshwar Kumar then struck a big blow by bowling Gujarat captain Shubman Gill for just two runs. Jos Buttler tried to counterattack and smashed Josh Hazlewood for boundaries and sixes, but Hazlewood responded immediately by clean bowling the dangerous batter. Buttler scored a quick 29 off only 11 balls.RCB tightened their grip in the final over of the Power-play when Rasikh Salam Dar dismissed Nishant Sandhu and Jason Holder in the same over. Gujarat finished the Power-play struggling at 51/5 while chasing the huge target.Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia tried to rebuild the innings, but Duffy removed Sundar for eight runs. The New Zealand pacer struck again soon after by dismissing Rashid Khan, reducing Gujarat to 87/7 in 11 overs. Krunal Pandya added to Gujarat’s troubles by removing Kagiso Rabada, who was caught by Virat Kohli at long-on.With the match almost out of reach, Rahul Tewatia fought alone for the Gujarat Titans. The left-hander played an entertaining knock and reached his half-century in just 33 balls. He scored 68 runs off 43 deliveries with eight fours and four sixes before Bhuvneshwar dismissed him with a slower ball.Krunal Pandya wrapped up the innings by taking the final wicket as the Gujarat Titans were bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.Earlier, RCB had posted a record 254/5 thanks to captain Rajat Patidar’s unbeaten 93. Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for Bengaluru with figures of 3/39.After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, RCB got off to a flying start through Venkatesh Iyer, who smashed 19 runs off just seven balls with three fours and a six before getting out to Kagiso Rabada.Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal then kept up the attacking approach. Kohli played some stylish shots while Padikkal hit boundaries regularly as RCB reached 76/1 in the powerplay, their best powerplay score of the season.Jason Holder brought the Gujarat Titans back into the match with two quick wickets. Kohli was bowled for 43 off 25 balls, while Padikkal departed after scoring 30 from 19 deliveries.Patidar and Krunal Pandya then rebuilt the innings before launching a strong counterattack in the middle overs. Krunal scored a quick 43 off 28 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.Patidar was dropped twice by Gujarat fielders and made them pay heavily. He attacked every bowler and reached his fifty in just 21 balls. Gujarat also struggled in the field, giving away extra runs through no-balls and misfields.Patidar continued his brilliant hitting till the end and remained unbeaten on 93 off just 39 balls, smashing five fours and nine sixes. Jitesh Sharma added 15 runs late in the innings.RCB’s total of 254/5 became the highest score ever recorded in IPL playoff history.Earlier, Patidar produced a sensational unbeaten knock of 93 while Kohli and Pandya chipped in with quickfire 43s as Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed to a record-breaking 254/5.Asked to bat first after losing the toss, RCB came out with aggressive intent right from the opening over. Venkatesh Iyer gave the innings a flying start by taking on former RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj. The left-hander smashed three boundaries in the opening over and continued his attacking approach against Kagiso Rabada, hammering a six before falling on the very next delivery.Trying to pull a short ball, Iyer miscued his shot, and Shubman Gill completed a superb catch. The opener’s entertaining cameo ended at 19 off just seven deliveries, an innings studded with three fours and a six.Despite the early wicket, RCB’s momentum never slowed down. Devdutt Padikkal joined Virat Kohli in the middle, and the pair launched a fierce counterattack against the Gujarat bowlers. Kohli looked in sublime touch as he drove Siraj for boundaries, while Padikkal targeted Rabada with three successive fours in one over.Agencies]]></description>
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        <category><![CDATA[Sport ]]></category>
        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/patidar-shines-as-rcb-storm-into-second-straight-ipl-final]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Guardiola farewell turns City parade into celebration tinged with heartache]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/guardiola-farewell-turns-city-parade-into-celebration-tinged-with-heartache]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Manchester City’s trophy parade and after-party on Monday blended celebration with sentiment, as fans honoured a season of success and said goodbye to Pep Guardiola.A day after Guardiola’s final game in charge after a trophy-laden decade, thousands lined the streets in searing 31 degrees Celsius heat and clouds of sky-blue confetti, climbing street lights and crowding every vantage point for a glimpse of the Spaniard who had defined an era.The League Cup and FA Cup trophies captured this season gleamed atop the open-top buses, but it was the 55-year-old Guardiola — waving and smiling — who drew the loudest roars.“I’ve been going to City for about 10 years, since I was six, since Pep joined,” said 16-year-old Hadley Partridge, dressed in a Rodri shirt.“I love Pep, and obviously don’t want to see him go.”Asked how his departure felt, the teenager did not hesitate.“Devastated. I wanted him to stay for 10 more years to be fair, get every trophy,” Partridge said.For Lisa and Steve Evans, whose family have been season ticket holders for more than 20 years, Guardiola’s departure was more than the end of a glittering era, it resonated across generations.“Devastated,” the couple said in unison.“Our two sons (Jack, 31, and Joe, 26) were crying at (Sunday’s) game because Pep is leaving,” Steve said.“Many tears, a knot in your throat,” Lisa said.If Guardiola’s exit brought sadness, it also underscored the depth of his legacy.“He changed football in England,” Steve said. “And his work ethic, he never stops.”“It’s his passion, isn’t it?” Lisa added. “I think he genuinely just loves football, I don’t think it’s about the money.”Atop the sky-blue buses, the players who had carried that philosophy forward soaked in the moment, aware they were part of an ending as much as a celebration.Some reflected on departing stalwarts captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones.“Two legends in the club,” said Erling Haaland, who won the league’s Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons. “They’ve been amazing on and off the pitch for us. I’m proud to have been playing with them.”Others spoke directly about Guardiola’s influence.“I’m going to miss him a lot,” said Jeremy Doku. “His way of coaching, his way of giving advice, he’s a legend, probably one of the best managers ever. He deserves his rest.”City’s women, crowned Women’s Super League champions earlier this month, their first title in a decade, celebrated atop their own buses as part of the parade.“We worked so hard throughout the season, to finally get our hands on the trophy, it’s just an amazing feeling,” said Khadija (Bunny) Shaw, who won the WSL’s Golden Boot for a third successive year.The open-top buses eventually fed straight onto the arena floor where a sold-out crowd of 17,000 waited to celebrate at the After Party at the Co-Op Live arena.And then a collection of former and current players, from Vincent Kompany to Fernandinho and Jack Grealish, plus Guardiola’s three children, Maria, Marius and Valentina, and Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, paraded Guardiola’s 20 trophies one by one across the stage.Reuters]]></description>
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        <category><![CDATA[Sport ]]></category>
        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/guardiola-farewell-turns-city-parade-into-celebration-tinged-with-heartache]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 08:57:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Team Abu Dhabi gearing up for F1H2O season-opening Cagliari Grand Prix]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/team-abu-dhabi-gearing-up-for-f1h2o-season-opening-cagliari-grand-prix]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[With the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 season fast approaching, teams are undertaking vital practice and preparations for what promises to be one of the most hotly contested races F1H2O has hosted.Eighteen drivers from eight teams will battle it out in the season opener scheduled to be held in Cagliari from May 29-31.Among the teams gearing up for Cagliari is Team Abu Dhabi, who have been conducting boat tests and training all week at their logistical hub in San Nazzaro, Italy.Jonas Andersson already has three World Championships to his name and came within an inch of clinching a fourth last season.Having lost out by the finest of margins to Victory Team’s Shaun Torrente, the Swede decided something had to change for the forthcoming season and committed to Victory Team’s fellow Emirati rivals, Team Abu Dhabi.“I have been discussing a move with Team Abu Dhabi for a couple of years,” revealed Andersson, “and for this season everything felt perfect.”His move means Andersson will now be working under the championship’s most decorated driver, Guido Cappellini, who has a mighty ten titles to his name.“With Guido’s experience and my experience together, I think we can have a super good season,” added Andersson.More specifically, Andersson spoke about the additional insights he and his team had been missing in previous years, highlighting the improvements in telemetry and racing data that Team Abu Dhabi is able to offer him.Once Andersson was done whizzing around the vast Po River, it was the turn of another new Team Abu Dhabi face to take to the water: Rashed Al Qemzi.The Emirati driver made his debut with the team in 2017, became a regular during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but was absent last year. This season, he returns full-time, keen to emulate the great success he has enjoyed in the F2 category at the sport’s highest level.“I am happy with the results here in testing,” Qemzi said of his time in San Nazzaro.Hitting the water straight after a driver as successful as Andersson may seem daunting, but Al Qemzi sees the positives in having a multiple World Champion as a team-mate.“I am happy Jonas is with us. I learn from him and sometimes, when I don’t know something, I just ask Jonas and he tells me, ‘do one, two, three’,” Al Qemzi gesticulated, “and he motivates me.”A lunch break then interrupted the day’s boat testing, giving the team a chance to bond and reflect on their performances over a banquet of traditional Italian food. The Swedish duo of Erik Stark and new team-mate Andersson were deep in conversation, their strong rapport a testament to a sporting friendship that stretches far beyond this season’s racing partnership. For Stark, this is exactly the kind of refreshed set-up needed after a season to forget.“Last season was a bad year, both for me and for the team. For me, it was my worst season in F1H2O since I started,” Stark confessed frankly.But the Swede is already putting those disappointing results behind him and adopting an air of optimism.“We know what we did wrong last year and we have already changed it. The feeling now is so much better and the speed is much higher, so I’m very hopeful for this year.”Another reason for hope is Andersson’s arrival at the team, something Stark is delighted about.“Jonas is a fantastic friend and he has so much knowledge about boats and engines. Take his knowledge together with everything the team knows – Guido, [Team Abu Dhabi mechanics] Attilio and Giacomo and everyone else – and I don’t think you can have better people behind you.”Cappellini was his usual serene and diligent self throughout the day, attentively examining the data coming back from the testing sessions. The Team Abu Dhabi manager seemed especially pleased with Andersson’s performance, hoping these early signs are already a vindication of his efforts to bring the multiple World Champion into the team as they aim to reclaim the sport’s top spot.]]></description>
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                <dc:creator><![CDATA[gulftoday]]></dc:creator>
        <category><![CDATA[Sport ]]></category>
        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/27/team-abu-dhabi-gearing-up-for-f1h2o-season-opening-cagliari-grand-prix]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 08:55:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Al Shira’aa rider Omar wins Lisbon Grand Prix]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/al-shiraaa-rider-omar-wins-lisbon-grand-prix]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Al Shira’aa rider Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi claimed a landmark international victory on Sunday, winning the Lisbon Grand Prix presented by Visit Portugal aboard Chacco Bay after producing one of only two double clear performances over Bernardo Costa Cabral’s technical 1.55m course.Held at the historic Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa in the heart of Lisbon, the Grand Prix brought together a world-class field of international combinations as part of the revitalised CSIO Lisbon, a show proudly supported by Al Shira’aa following the organisation’s commitment to restoring the prestigious Nations Cup to the Portuguese capital from 2026 onwards.Demonstrating speed, precision and composure under pressure, Omar and Chacco Bay stopped the clock in an impressive 38.43 seconds in the jump-off to secure victory ahead of France’s Edouard Chauvet and Zia Mia de la Bonn Z, with Portugal’s Duarte Seabra completing the podium.The victory also marks the second Grand Prix win for Omar and Chacco Bay as a partnership, further cementing the combination as one of the UAE’s most exciting emerging combinations on the international circuit. Currently ranked inside the top 10 of the FEI U25 rankings, Omar continues to establish himself amongst the sport’s leading young talents under the vision and support of Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.Speaking following the victory, Marzooqi said, “Winning in Lisbon means so much to me, especially that it’s such a historical event that has been restored by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan after a three-year break. As always, I’m grateful to Al Shira’aa for the continued support and for making these victories possible.”Sami Kettle, Director of Global Operations at Al Shira’aa commented, “We are incredibly proud to see Omar Al Marzooqi and Chacco Bay deliver such an outstanding performance to win the CSIO3* Al Shira’aa Lisbon Grand Prix. This victory is a true reflection of Omar’s talent, determination and exceptional horsemanship, together with the incredible partnership he has built with Chacco Bay.“To see a UAE rider stand at the top in such a historic European arena is a proud moment for UAE equestrian sport and a reflection of the strength, dedication and ambition of our riders.“We would also like to recognise and thank the entire team behind moments like today, as success of this level is never achieved alone. At Al Shira’aa, we are a family, and it takes the dedication, belief and hard work of so many people behind the scenes to make days like this possible.“We extend our deepest gratitude to Her Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for her unwavering vision, passion and support for equestrian sport, and to the UAE Equestrian Federation for their continued commitment to supporting and developing UAE athletes. Victories like this represent not only individual achievement, but the strength of a united team and the bright future of UAE equestrianism on the global stage.”The win carries additional significance given Al Shira’aa’s recent commitment to the future of equestrian sport in Portugal.Abu Dhabi: Al Shira’aa rider Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi claimed a landmark international victory on Sunday, winning the Lisbon Grand Prix presented by Visit Portugal aboard Chacco Bay after producing one of only two double clear performances over Bernardo Costa Cabral’s technical 1.55m course.Held at the historic Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa in the heart of Lisbon, the Grand Prix brought together a world-class field of international combinations as part of the revitalised CSIO Lisbon, a show proudly supported by Al Shira’aa following the organisation’s commitment to restoring the prestigious Nations Cup to the Portuguese capital from 2026 onwards.Demonstrating speed, precision and composure under pressure, Omar and Chacco Bay stopped the clock in an impressive 38.43 seconds in the jump-off to secure victory ahead of France’s Edouard Chauvet and Zia Mia de la Bonn Z, with Portugal’s Duarte Seabra completing the podium.The victory also marks the second Grand Prix win for Omar and Chacco Bay as a partnership, further cementing the combination as one of the UAE’s most exciting emerging combinations on the international circuit. Currently ranked inside the top 10 of the FEI U25 rankings, Omar continues to establish himself amongst the sport’s leading young talents under the vision and support of Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.Speaking following the victory, Marzooqi said, “Winning in Lisbon means so much to me, especially that it’s such a historical event that has been restored by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan after a three-year break. As always, I’m grateful to Al Shira’aa for the continued support and for making these victories possible.”Sami Kettle, Director of Global Operations at Al Shira’aa commented, “We are incredibly proud to see Omar Al Marzooqi and Chacco Bay deliver such an outstanding performance to win the CSIO3* Al Shira’aa Lisbon Grand Prix. This victory is a true reflection of Omar’s talent, determination and exceptional horsemanship, together with the incredible partnership he has built with Chacco Bay.“To see a UAE rider stand at the top in such a historic European arena is a proud moment for UAE equestrian sport and a reflection of the strength, dedication and ambition of our riders.“We would also like to recognise and thank the entire team behind moments like today, as success of this level is never achieved alone. At Al Shira’aa, we are a family, and it takes the dedication, belief and hard work of so many people behind the scenes to make days like this possible.“We extend our deepest gratitude to Her Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for her unwavering vision, passion and support for equestrian sport, and to the UAE Equestrian Federation for their continued commitment to supporting and developing UAE athletes. Victories like this represent not only individual achievement, but the strength of a united team and the bright future of UAE equestrianism on the global stage.”The win carries additional significance given Al Shira’aa’s recent commitment to the future of equestrian sport in Portugal.]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/al-shiraaa-rider-omar-wins-lisbon-grand-prix]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 11:21:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Saadi stuns Yahya as UAE star Zamzam makes dream PFL Mena debut in Dubai]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/saadi-stuns-yahya-as-uae-star-zamzam-makes-dream-pfl-mena-debut-in-dubai]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[The Professional Fighters League kicked off the 2026 PFL Mena season at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, where fans were treated to a night of tournament action, showcase bouts, and standout performances from across the region.In the featherweight tournament main event, the UAE’s Mohammad Yahya faced Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi. Saadi opened the bout landing heavy calf kicks which forced the MMA veteran Yahya to change stances.The home town hero “UAE Warrior” responded with heavy straights to push his opponent back. The second round saw the two featherweight tournament competitors trade leg kicks, knees, and punches in combination in a closely contested contest. Yahya stung with sharp punches to control round three en route to a split decision loss.Saadi was ecstatic to have his hand raised by the referee: “It’s difficult to describe this sensation. Yahya was a very tough opponent so I feel amazing to have come out victorious and I’m proud of my performance.”The co-main event featured a lightweight tournament quarterfinal between Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli and Algeria’s Ylies Djiroun. The Moroccan pressed in the clinch but met unrelenting power as Djiroun landed a combination of punches to the head and body which earned him a round 1 TKO. Dijroun was delighted with the knockout following the fight: “I didn’t have any real game plan, I just wanted to push him. And I knew if I pushed him on his cardio, my fitness would outlast him. I realised after the first situation on the ground, if we stand up, it’s finished for him.”In another featherweight tournament quarter-final, Hamza Kooheji controlled the contest against Taha Bendaoud in a pivotal opening-round clash. Kooheji, who won via unanimous decision, said: “I dominated the whole fight so was confident when it went to a judges decision. I was very effective with my takedowns and happy with my performance. I can’t wait for the PFL semi-final.”Rising Emirati prospect Zamzam Al Hammadi made her highly anticipated PFL Mena debut in the women’s strawweight amateur showcase against Egypt’s Abeer Mansour and earned a hard-fought decision. The 18-year-old was delighted to triumph in front of a home crowd in Dubai: “It was fantastic fighting in front of my mum for the first time. I saw my shadow as I walked out and was astonished by the amount of support I had at the Coca-Cola Arena. I can’t wait to get back in the Smartcage again in the PFL and hopefully I can get another victory.”Mohammd Fahmi got a pass to the next round of this tournament as his scheduled opponent, Assem Ghanem, dropped out due to an injury. Fahmi commented: “I was ready to fight in my home country of UAE but these things (injuries) happen. I hope the next PFL Mena fight is in Dubai as well so I can showcase my talent.”Ahmed El Sisy took a hard-earned win over Harda Karim in another lightweight tournament quarterfinal with major implications for the division. El Sisy was happy to overcome a tough challenger: “I followed my plan and felt sharp out there. He (Harda Karim) was a really tough opponent. I won the first round and then made a stupid mistake in the second which cost me the round. I’m delighted that I corrected everything in the third to win the fight.”After being elevated to tournament status following changes to the card, Basel Shalaan and Abdullah Saleem met in an official lightweight tournament quarterfinal bout, with Shalaan taking the nod after a back-and-forth match. The Egyptian said: “I’m so proud to have won here in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena and show my skills to the UAE fans. I’ve been away from the cage for two years so it was a great opportunity for PFL - the best organisation in the world.”With these impressive wins, Shalaan, El Sisy, Fahmi, and Djiroun advance to the semi-final round of the lightweight PFL Mena tournament.In flyweight showcase action, Hamad Marhoon faced Saher Qasmieh in a fast-paced contest, with Jordan’s Qasmieh edging out a narrow split decision win. Ahmed Albrahim delivered a one-sided performance against Ibrahim Mahmoud in a welterweight showcase, securing a TKO victory through ground-and-pound. Opening the card, Butti Suwaid Alameri earned a dominant unanimous decision win over Hamada Osman in a featherweight amateur showcase bout.The Professional Fighters League kicked off the 2026 PFL Mena season at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, where fans were treated to a night of tournament action, showcase bouts, and standout performances from across the region.In the featherweight tournament main event, the UAE’s Mohammad Yahya faced Tunisia’s Mehdi Saadi. Saadi opened the bout landing heavy calf kicks which forced the MMA veteran Yahya to change stances.The home town hero “UAE Warrior” responded with heavy straights to push his opponent back. The second round saw the two featherweight tournament competitors trade leg kicks, knees, and punches in combination in a closely contested contest. Yahya stung with sharp punches to control round three en route to a split decision loss.Saadi was ecstatic to have his hand raised by the referee: “It’s difficult to describe this sensation. Yahya was a very tough opponent so I feel amazing to have come out victorious and I’m proud of my performance.”The co-main event featured a lightweight tournament quarterfinal between Morocco’s Salah Eddine Hamli and Algeria’s Ylies Djiroun. The Moroccan pressed in the clinch but met unrelenting power as Djiroun landed a combination of punches to the head and body which earned him a round 1 TKO. Dijroun was delighted with the knockout following the fight: “I didn’t have any real game plan, I just wanted to push him. And I knew if I pushed him on his cardio, my fitness would outlast him. I realised after the first situation on the ground, if we stand up, it’s finished for him.”In another featherweight tournament quarter-final, Hamza Kooheji controlled the contest against Taha Bendaoud in a pivotal opening-round clash. Kooheji, who won via unanimous decision, said: “I dominated the whole fight so was confident when it went to a judges decision. I was very effective with my takedowns and happy with my performance. I can’t wait for the PFL semi-final.”Rising Emirati prospect Zamzam Al Hammadi made her highly anticipated PFL Mena debut in the women’s strawweight amateur showcase against Egypt’s Abeer Mansour and earned a hard-fought decision. The 18-year-old was delighted to triumph in front of a home crowd in Dubai: “It was fantastic fighting in front of my mum for the first time. I saw my shadow as I walked out and was astonished by the amount of support I had at the Coca-Cola Arena. I can’t wait to get back in the Smartcage again in the PFL and hopefully I can get another victory.”Mohammd Fahmi got a pass to the next round of this tournament as his scheduled opponent, Assem Ghanem, dropped out due to an injury. Fahmi commented: “I was ready to fight in my home country of UAE but these things (injuries) happen. I hope the next PFL Mena fight is in Dubai as well so I can showcase my talent.”Ahmed El Sisy took a hard-earned win over Harda Karim in another lightweight tournament quarterfinal with major implications for the division. El Sisy was happy to overcome a tough challenger: “I followed my plan and felt sharp out there. He (Harda Karim) was a really tough opponent. I won the first round and then made a stupid mistake in the second which cost me the round. I’m delighted that I corrected everything in the third to win the fight.”After being elevated to tournament status following changes to the card, Basel Shalaan and Abdullah Saleem met in an official lightweight tournament quarterfinal bout, with Shalaan taking the nod after a back-and-forth match. The Egyptian said: “I’m so proud to have won here in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena and show my skills to the UAE fans. I’ve been away from the cage for two years so it was a great opportunity for PFL - the best organisation in the world.”With these impressive wins, Shalaan, El Sisy, Fahmi, and Djiroun advance to the semi-final round of the lightweight PFL Mena tournament.In flyweight showcase action, Hamad Marhoon faced Saher Qasmieh in a fast-paced contest, with Jordan’s Qasmieh edging out a narrow split decision win. Ahmed Albrahim delivered a one-sided performance against Ibrahim Mahmoud in a welterweight showcase, securing a TKO victory through ground-and-pound. Opening the card, Butti Suwaid Alameri earned a dominant unanimous decision win over Hamada Osman in a featherweight amateur showcase bout.]]></description>
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        <category><![CDATA[Sport ]]></category>
        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/saadi-stuns-yahya-as-uae-star-zamzam-makes-dream-pfl-mena-debut-in-dubai]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 11:08:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Messi exits MLS game in injury scare ahead of WC]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/messi-exits-mls-game-in-injury-scare-ahead-of-wc]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Lionel Messi was at the center of an injury scare just weeks before the start of the World Cup on Sunday after abruptly exiting Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer clash against the Philadelphia Union.Argentina superstar Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute at a rain-soaked Nu Stadium in Miami after clutching the back of his left leg and requesting to come off.The 38-year-old icon appeared to be walking normally as he headed straight down the tunnel after exiting the game, which Miami went on to win 6-4.Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game it was too early to determine if Messi was injured, and suggested the Argentine’s substitution was precautionary due to the pitch conditions.“As far as I know, we don’t have a (medical) report on that yet, but we will have one shortly,” Hoyos said after the game when asked for details of Messi’s condition.“He was genuinely suffering from fatigue in that regard — it is indeed fatigue.“He was tired; the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don’t take any risks.”Messi’s Inter Miami team-mate Mateo Silvetti was unable to shed any light on his compatriot’s condition.“I’m just as in the dark as everyone else,” Silvetti said. “At that moment, we were all focused on the match. I didn’t know if it was an injury or if he was simply tired.“We’re hoping it turns out to be nothing serious. Given his mindset and everything else, we’re going to wish him the very best.”Messi has carefully managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, with team staff regularly excusing him from games during particularly congested fixture periods.He has spent multiple stints on the sidelines in the past few years due to problems with his hamstring, which caused him to miss parts of Miami’s pre-season campaign earlier this year.Any significant injury to the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner, though, would deal a huge blow to Argentina’s hopes of defending their World Cup crown in the United States, Canada and Mexico.The tournament kicks off in Mexico City on June 11, with Argentina due to play their opening game against Algeria in Kansas City five days later.Inter Miami’s game on Sunday was the last before MLS takes a break ahead of the World Cup.Agence France-Presse]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/messi-exits-mls-game-in-injury-scare-ahead-of-wc]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 10:53:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Rock solid Bengaluru face resurgent Gujarat challenge in high-stakes Qualifier 1 of IPL at Dharamshala today]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/rock-solid-bengaluru-face-resurgent-gujarat-challenge-in-high-stakes-qualifier-1-of-ipl-at-dharamshala-today]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Royal Challengers Bengaluru will carry the quiet confidence of defending champions into Qualifier 1 when they face Gujarat Titans in a high-stakes clash at the HPCA Stadium on Tuesday. The winner goes straight to the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, while the loser will need to take the longer road to get into the title clash.Both sides ended the league stage on 18 points from 14 matches, with RCB claiming top spot on net run rate, as a reward for being the most consistently good side across the full league stage. When RCB cruised to a chase of 206 against GT in their backyard on April 24, the Shubman Gill-led side were still a conservative side stuck in the middle of the points table.From that point, GT have surged to be the best bowling side in the competition and now find themselves in the running to get their second IPL title.But they run into an in-form RCB who have got a lot of things going in their favour - captain Rajat Patidar is in good nick, so as Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Venkatesh Iyer and Tim David.Consistent returns from the new-ball pairing of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with Krunal Pandya being frugal have helped RCB too.Meanwhile, GT’s late-season surge, though, has been built on bowling. Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna have struck hard with the new ball, while Rashid Khan and Jason Holder have controlled the middle overs with quiet authority.An 89-run hammering of Chennai Super Kings in their final league game underlined GT’s arrival as one of the most formidable sides in the tournament right now, though Tuesday’s game will be the first time they will be playing an IPL game in Dharamshala, a place which favours teams winning by chasing – as seen from the sample size of two games in this season.The individual duels will be worth watching closely - Kohli against Rabada and Siraj on a pitch offering extra bounce, and Hazlewood bowling to Gill and Sai Sudharsan in the powerplay where GT’s top-order reliance makes those first six overs critical in deciding the first finalist of IPL 2026.Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s captain Rajat Patidar believes execution under pressure and staying committed to the team’s strengths will be decisive when RCB face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday night.The two sides shared the spoils in their league-stage meetings this season, with RCB claiming the first encounter by five wickets, at home, before Gujarat Titans secured a four-wicket triumph in the reverse fixture.With a direct route to the Final on the line, Patidar believes composure could separate the two sides.“Both teams have done really well throughout the season. On the given day, whichever team executes their plans better, plays better cricket and stays calmer under pressure, I think that team will win the match,” Patidar said.“It’s a big stage, Qualifier 1. We must hold our nerves and be confident in whatever we are doing.” Patidar also pointed to RCB’s bowling group as one of the team’s defining strengths this season and reiterated the attacking mindset that has shaped their campaign.“Our strength is bowling and the way we bowl in the powerplay will be very crucial,” he said.“Everyone in the team knows that we are not here to defend, we are here with the mindset of attacking and we will look for early wickets. That is what Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasikh have been doing and we hope to continue in the same process.”Patidar reserved special praise for Venkatesh Iyer who has scores of 73* and 44 in his last two outings.Highlighting both his flexibility and attitude throughout the season, Patidar said.“I know Venky from childhood and the way he presents himself is extraordinary. The way he plays in any given situation and his flexibility in the batting order, I really like his attitude.“He was preparing himself even when he wasn’t getting opportunities. The work he put in during nets and the way he communicated showed he was ready, and as soon as he got the opportunity, he cashed in.”Reflecting on his own captaincy journey, Patidar credited the support system around him and the experience available within the group.Agencies]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/rock-solid-bengaluru-face-resurgent-gujarat-challenge-in-high-stakes-qualifier-1-of-ipl-at-dharamshala-today]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 10:48:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Emotional Wawrinka bows out of French Open with loss to De Jong]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/emotional-wawrinka-bows-out-of-french-open-with-loss-to-de-jong]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Swiss Stan Wawrinka made his final French Open appearance in a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 loss to Dutchman Jesper de Jong on Monday before departing Roland Garros to a standing ovation and loud applause that reflected ‌the enduring affection for the 2015 champion.The 41-year-old, who made his Grand Slam breakthrough at the Australian ​Open by winning the 2014 title before adding trophies at the French Open and the US Open in subsequent years, is set ‌to end his storied playing career later this season.He delighted fans with a run to the Melbourne third round earlier this year, but there was to be no extended farewell in Paris after lucky loser De Jong cruised ‌through the first set and held his nerve to prevail after a mid-match blip.“Thank you all. It’s hard, I don’t want to say goodbye to you here,” Wawrinka said, before thanking tournament director Amelie Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation chief Gilles Moretton.“It’s thanks to tournaments like this one that I dreamed of becoming a tennis player. I grew up with the goal of competing here one day.“It was an amazing experience to be able to share this moment here on court. Well done to Jesper for the match.”Fans on Court Simonne Mathieu ​chanted Wawrinka’s name and cheered when he unleashed winners and erupted after the Swiss levelled ‌the clash at one set apiece, but De Jong was soon on the front foot again.The world number 106, who only advanced to the main draw after Frenchman Arthur Fils’ withdrawal through injury, bagged the third set after an early arm-wrestle and delivered the knockout blow in a tight fourth set.“It’s not about me today,” the 25-year-old De Jong said in a brief on-court interview.“A funny story about Stan, he played my coach when I was a ball ​kid. I don’t ‌want to say he’s old. But it’s all about Stan today, especially the way he fought.”After a ‌short video tribute played on the big screen, an emotional Wawrinka hailed fans for making his final appearance in Paris special.“Three hours of emotion, three hours of battle thanks to you, thanks to the support you’ve given me all these ‌years,” Wawrinka added.“I ‌wanted to keep going, to go as far as possible until I was 41 to experience emotions like today. I’ve been lucky enough to ‌experience them for a very long time. You never want to say goodbye when you’re passionate about something.“I know it was the end; I gave everything for this sport, and I know it’s the right choice. I would have loved to be back here, in front of ​you but unfortunately this was my last match at Roland Garros.”A second tribute followed shortly afterwards, with Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Gael Monfils all celebrating Wawrinka’s career.Earlier, four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek and second seed Elena Rybakina both eased into the second round with comfortable wins at a sweltering Roland Garros on Monday, as Stan Wawrinka bade an emotional farewell to the tournament.Swiatek, playing at a Grand Slam event for the first time since linking up with Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francisco Roig, made short work of seeing off Australian teenager Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in just 60 minutes.The Pole is looking to regain the trophy she won at Roland Garros in three successive years from 2022-24 before losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals 12 months ago.Swiatek will take on Czech Sara Bejlek for a place in the last 32 on Wednesday.The third seed is among the favourites for the title after finding some form by reaching the Italian Open semi-finals earlier this month.“I’m really happy with the way I played. It was a solid match from the beginning to the end. I technically knew how to play,” said Swiatek.Rybakina also wasted little time in swatting aside Slovenian Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.Like Swiatek, the Kazakh was pleased to not spend too much time on court in the 32C heat.“It’s tough conditions but I’m happy things worked, and I’m looking forward to the next match,” she said.Rybakina, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, plays Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva next.Elina Svitolina survived a serious scare against Hungary’s Anna Bondar on Court Suzanne Lenglen, fighting back from 3-1 down in a deciding set to win 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/3).Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 10:31:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Shabab Al Ahli and Sharjah star as Federation Cup winners are crowned]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/26/shabab-al-ahli-and-sharjah-star-as-federation-cup-winners-are-crowned]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[The UAE Karate Federation crowned the winners of the Federation Cup for team kata in the junior boys, junior girls, youth, young women, men, and women categories for the 2025–2026 season.The championship was held on Saturday at Sharjah Club Al Hazanah Branch Hall, with 116 male and female athletes from seven clubs.The competitions resulted in Shabab Al Ahli Club and Sharjah Individual Sports Club winning the Federation Cup titles in the women’s and men’s team kata events.Shabab Al Ahli won the titles in the junior girls, young women, and women categories, in addition to claiming the junior boys title, securing four out of the six titles contested.Sharjah Individual Sports Club won the youth and men’s categories, maintaining its lead in both divisions during the current season.The federation said that the men’s and women’s kata finals featured outstanding performances, including kata execution with “Bunkai,” the analysis of kata and extraction of its combat applications, similar to what is presented in World Karate Championships for teams.The event was attended by Rashid Abdulmajeed Al Ali, First Vice President of the Federation, Vice President of the Asian Karate Federation, and Executive Board Member of the International Federation; Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Competitions Committee; and Engineer Suleiman Al Hajri, Board Member of Sharjah Sports Club and Head of Individual Sports.]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 09:51:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Mexico to host Iran&#039;s World Cup team after US refusal, says president]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/25/mexico-to-host-irans-world-cup-team-after-us-refusal-says-president]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ‌said on Monday her government agreed to allow the ​Iranian national ⁠football team to stay in ‌Mexico during the World Cup, ‌adding that the United States did not want to host the team.Sheinbaum said football's governing body FIFA ‌approached her government after the US said it did not ⁠want Iran's squad to stay in the country throughout the tournament, despite Iran playing all three of its group matches there."We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico," Sheinbaum said during ​her daily press conference.The White House and ‌the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Mehdi Taj, head of Iran's football federation, ⁠said on Saturday the team's base would be moved from Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana during the ​tournament.Taj ‌added that the move would help avoid visa-related complications ‌and that the squad would be able to travel directly to Mexico aboard Iran Air flights.The Iranian team's participation ‌in the ‌June 11-July 19 tournament had ⁠been in question since the US and ‌Israel attacked Iran in late February.Iran will play its first two Group G matches in ⁠Los Angeles against New Zealand on June ​15 and Belgium on June 21, before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.Reuters ]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 20:20:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Pakistani athlete Masood Khan sets world record after 800km non-stop run]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/25/pakistani-youth-achieves-world-record-after-800-km-non-stop-run]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Young Pakistani athlete Masood Khan has claimed a world record after completing an extraordinary long-distance run from Peshawar to Skardu, covering nearly 800 kilometres through some of the country's most challenging terrain in 9 days.The extraordinary endurance feat has brought global attention to Pakistan’s rising sporting talent.Masood successfully completed the demanding journey without interruption, traversing the rugged mountain routes of the Karakoram Highway, the scenic stretches along the Indus River and the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan.According to a national TV channel report, the endurance challenge is being described as a remarkable achievement in the field of ultra-distance running.Speaking after completing the feat, the athlete said he had brought pride to Pakistan through an accomplishment that he described as unique and unprecedented. He noted that the journey from Peshawar to Skardu represented a challenge unlike any he had previously undertaken.Masood said the record-breaking run, which covered approximately 810 kilometres, was completed over nine days despite difficult conditions. He acknowledged that continuous running had tested his physical limits but said his determination to represent Pakistan on the world stage kept him moving forward."Despite immense difficulties, I never lost courage because I was running for my country and my people," he said, adding that reaching the 800-kilometre milestone was a source of pride not only for him but for the entire nation.The athlete has previously represented Pakistan in competitions involving runners from countries including Russia, Japan and China, winning numerous medals during his sporting career.Sports observers have described the achievement as an important milestone that highlights the talent and determination of Pakistan?s young athletes while promoting a positive image of the country internationally.]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 18:39:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Mercedes teen star Kimi Antonelli wins the Canadian GP]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/25/mercedes-teen-star-kimi-antonelli-wins-the-canadian-gp]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Kimi Antonelli went from furious to victorious. A day after clashing with Mercedes teammate George Russell in a heated sprint race, the 19-year-old Italian star won a wild Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday for his fourth straight victory.Russell dropped out with an engine failure after the title-chasing Mercedes duo put on a show in a thrilling fight through 30 laps, trading the lead several times and coming dangerously close to making contact.Then trouble struck for Russell, giving Antonelli a clear path to the finish - and a commanding championship lead."It was a really fun battle, to be fair, with George. We were pretty much on the limit,” Antonelli said. It was very close and it was a shame for him to have the failure because it would have been a very cool battle. But we’ll take it.”Antonelli finished more than 10 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.Antonelli opened a 43-point lead over Russell through five of 22 races. After Russell won the season-opening race in Australia, Antonelli won in China, Japan and Miami and now Montreal.Russell’s exit marked a nightmare end to an otherwise stellar weekend for the Montreal winner last year. He took the sprint race from the pole Saturday and started first Sunday.Once his power unit died, the 28-year-old English driver threw his headrest across the track and slammed his fists into the front of the car before leaving the circuit, whipping his gloves to the ground in rage.Russell said he wished he’d had "40 more of those laps” to battle Antonelli."I loved it. I thought it was great, and I’ve not had a battle like this in years,” he said."Right now (the championship) is his to lose, so many points ahead. It feels like the gods don’t want me to be in this fight."Pressure’s off. Go out, enjoy every single race, try and win every single race and I’ve got nothing to lose.”The spotlight shifted to two longtime rivals once Russell’s day ended, with Hamilton chasing down Red Bull's Max Verstappen in a throwback to 2021.The seven-time world champion finally overtook Verstappen for second with six laps to go in cold and windy conditions at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for his his best result since joining Ferrari last year."It’s been pretty tough for the past year and a bit, so to finally find our sweet spot and have a good weekend, it’s an amazing feeling,” the 41-year-old Hamilton said.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth, followed by Red Bull's Isack Hadjar.McLaren’s day turned ugly after both drivers started in the second row. Lando Norris was forced to retire with a gearbox issue on Lap 40, while teammate Oscar Piastri placed 11th after a team strategy to start on intermediate tires backfired.It spat rain much of the day, but the inclement weather subsided before the race.Norris flew from third to first off an exciting start on the drying track, only to switch tires three laps in. That ceded the lead to Antonelli, who’d also moved past Russell following the pole-sitter’s poor start.Russell regained the lead on the seventh lap with a clean overtake as Antonelli nearly hit his teammate from behind after his wheels locked up, rolling off the track.The fighting continued into Lap 12 as Antonelli advanced to first, only for Russell to re-take his position before fending off multiple overtake attempts five laps later.The exchanges persisted until Russell’s engine blew."A couple of times it was maybe a little bit on the edge, but we were going at each other,” Antonelli said. "We were both pushing and we both wanted to win. And I think for everyone watching it was pretty entertaining.”The Mercedes drivers had gone head-to-head all weekend in the fastest cars on the grid, with Russell edging Antonelli by 0.068 seconds in both the sprint and race qualifying sessions.Tensions reached a tipping point early in the sprint race when they made contact on Antonelli’s overtake attempt, as Russell kept his line and forced Antonelli into the grass.Antonelli lost his cool over the team radio, calling the move "very naughty” before demanding a penalty. Stewards did not investigate.Associated Press]]></description>
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        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/25/mercedes-teen-star-kimi-antonelli-wins-the-canadian-gp]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 10:10:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Zverev in cruise control as French Open starts under blazing sun; tearful Kostyuk reaches second round]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/25/zverev-in-cruise-control-as-french-open-starts-under-blazing-sun-tearful-kostyuk-reaches-second-round]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[French Open dark horse Alexander Zverev started his Roland Garros campaign with a meticulous ​6-3 6-4 6-2 first-round demolition of France’s Benjamin Bonzi in searing heat on Sunday.The ‌2024 runner-up and three-times semi-finalist, ‌who is chasing his maiden Grand Slam title, never allowed the world number 95 into the contest on court Philippe Chatrier as he set up a second-round meeting with Tomas Machac of the Czech ‌Republic.“Very good start to the tournament, it’s always good to start with a win in straight sets especially against Benjamin who can be a tricky opponent,” the German second seed said. The tournament started under blazing sun as fans in Panama hats streamed into Roland Garros, which felt more like the Riviera than claycourt grind as alleys echoed with a violin rendition of Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” and other soft-rock staples.With temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), Russian ​Karen Khachanov, seeded 13, dispatched French hope Arthur Gea on Court Suzanne Lenglen before ‌11th seed Swiss Belinda Bencic downed Sinja Kraus of Austria.The claycourt Grand Slam suffered two major withdrawals as twice champion Carlos Alcaraz and local favourite Arthur Fils pulled out due to injuries.Italian Jannik Sinner, the world number one, is the heavy favourite in the men’s draw, while the women’s draw seems wide open.Serbian Novak Djokovic, chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, opens his campaign against big-serving ​Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi ‌Perricard later on Sunday.Eighth seed Mirra Andreeva dished out a barrage of baseline winners as ‌she made light work of France’s Fiona Ferro 6-3 6-3 to advance to the second round.The 19-year-old Russian was never in trouble on a sun-drenched court Philippe Chatrier and sealed victory on her first match ‌point when Ferro ‌made her 24th unforced error. Hours after a Russian missile landed near her family home in Kyiv in Ukraine,Meanwhile, Marta Kostyuk’s first-round win at the French Open became one of her toughest matches after she found out beforehand that a missile almost hit her parents’ home in Ukraine.Kostyuk fought back tears after beating Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 on Court Simonne-Mathieu on the opening day of the clay-court Grand Slam at Roland Garros in western Paris.“I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career,” the 15th-seeded Kostyuk said. “This morning, 100 meters away from my parents’ house, the missile destroyed the building and it was a very difficult morning for me ... I didn’t know how I would handle it, I’ve been crying part of the morning.”She received a message at 8 a.m. and could not stop thinking what could have happened.“I felt sick,” she said. “If it was 100 meters closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mom and a sister today.”Her mother, sister and great aunt - were in the house at the time of the strike, she said, among 17 people in total, so her relief was enormous that no one was injured.“I don’t want to think what I would do if something worse happened, but I knew that this is the day to go out and play,” she said. “It didn’t cross my mind today that I shouldn’t go out, because, you know, at the end of the day, everyone is alive.”After the match, she thanked fans and received an ovation. Then she explained how she found the emotional and mental resources to play.“I think it’s important to keep going. My biggest example is Ukrainian people, I woke up in the morning today and,” the 23-year-old Kostyuk said, becoming tearful before repeating and finishing the sentence.“I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their life, kept helping people who are in need,” she said. “I knew a lot of Ukrainian flags would be here today and a lot of Ukrainian people would come out, support. My friends from Ukraine came as well.”Agencies]]></description>
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        <pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 10:07:00 +0400</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Archer helps RR seal playoff berth with MI romp, Delhi win]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/25/archer-helps-rr-seal-playoff-berth-with-mi-romp-delhi-win]]></link> 
        <description><![CDATA[Jofra Archer produced a brilliant all-round effort when it mattered the most, claiming 3-17 after smashing a 15-ball 32 as Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by 30 runs in a must-win match at the Wankhede Stadium and sealed a berth in the Playoffs of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Sunday.Archer's brilliant cameo helped Rajasthan Royals recover from a precarious 119/5 to post a challenging 205/8 on being asked to bat first. The 31-year-old England star of Caribbean origin bagged a wicket each in his first two overs and then came back to claim the crucial wicket of Hardik Pandya as the Mumbai Indians were restricted to 175/9 in 20 overs and fell short by 30 runs.With the ball sticking to the pitch that had gotten slower as the shadows lengthened, Rajasthan Royals came up with a brilliant effort with the ball, spearheaded by Archer.Suryakumar Yadav's superb effort of 60 off 42 balls went in vain as he, at one time, along with Will Jacks (33) and Hardik Pandya (34), put the Mumbai Indians in a position from where they could have won the match.But Archer struck a deadly blow when he had Pandya caught by Nandre Burger at long-on, as the MI chase derailed after they had recovered from a sorry-looking 48/3 in the sixth over.Archer finished with 3-17 while Burger, Brijesh Sharma, and Yash Raj Punja claimed two each; RR secured a more-boosting win.With this win, the Rajasthan Royals finished with 16 points from 14 matches (7 wins), clinching the fourth spot in the playoffs, setting up a meeting with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator in New Chandigarh on Wednesday.Mumbai's chase was derailed by Archer, who claimed Rohit Sharma, brought in as an Impact Substitute to replace Raghu Sharma, for a four-ball duck with MI yet to score.He struck again in the third over, re-arranging Naman Dhir's middle stump with a peach of a delivery that jagged in the air and swung out after pitching. From 13/2, Mumbai lost Ryan Rickelton (12) and Tilak Varma (3) in quick succession and were tottering at 38/4 in the sixth over.Suryakumar Yadav, the most successful batter for MI this season, and Will Jacks shared a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket in 38 balls to put Mumbai back on track.Yash Raj Punj was hammered for 22 runs in the 12th over with Jacks (33 off 18 balls) hitting a six, followed by Hardik Pandya, who hammered sixes off successive legal deliveries. Punja claimed Jacks with a fullish leg-break, and despite the assault by Pandya, came back to claim Corbin Bosch for his second wicket of the day.Pandya got a life off the first delivery he faced when Riyan Parag grassed a difficult chance off Punja, continued to live a charmed life as he struck back-to-back boundaries off Dasun Shanaka, as he and Surya put the Mumbai Indians' chase back on the rails. MI had brought down the asking rate to 10 runs per over.But Archer returned for his fourth over and accounted for Hardik Pandya, who mis-played a pull on a shortish ball pitched wide, offering an easy catch to Nandre Burger. Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav added 48 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership.But hopes ended for the five-time champions when Suryakumar Yadav fell in the 18th over trying to hit a big one, caught and bowled by Burger.Earlier, asked to bat first, RR lost their prolific openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (27, 12b, 1x4, 3x6) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (4) cheaply, and when skipper Riyan Parag was out for 14 off 8 balls, the Royals were in trouble at 54/3 at the end of Power-play.Dhruv Jurel and Shanaka propelled RR to three figures before the Sri Lankan all-rounder, who struck three big sixes, ran himself out for 29 off 15 balls. Jurel departed soon after, bowled by a superb yorker by Bosch. He was the top scorer for RR with 38 off 26 balls (3x4, 2x6).Archer, who was promoted to No 7, led a fine rearguard effort by the Royals despite a double-wicket over by Shardul Thakur, smashing a 15-ball 32, studded with one four and three big sixes.Ravindra Jadeja. coming in an Impact Sub, struck a couple of boundaries in his 11-ball 19 while Nandre Burger blasted his first T20 six during his 3-ball 10 as RR went past the 200-run mark, which proved enough in the end, thanks to the brilliant effort by the RR bowling unit.Agencies]]></description>
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        <category><![CDATA[Sport ]]></category>
        <guid><![CDATA[https://www.gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/05/25/archer-helps-rr-seal-playoff-berth-with-mi-romp-delhi-win]]></guid>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 10:04:00 +0400</pubDate>
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