Saudi Arabia, Tunisia Leave World Cup

Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh
Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh
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Saudi Arabia, Tunisia Leave World Cup

Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh
Saleh Al-Shehri (C) of Saudi Arabia in action against Jorge Sanchez (R) of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group C soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, 30 November 2022. EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh

Saudi Arabia’s Salem Aldawsari scored on Wednesday in second-half stoppage time against Mexico. But Saudi Arabia was eliminated along with Mexico despite beating Argentina in its opening match.

Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1.

Saudi Arabia had one of the tournament’s biggest ever upsets ever when it beat Argentina 2-1. But the Green Falcons couldn’t pull off another surprise in its second match, a 2-0 loss to Poland.

“Tonight it was difficult to breathe with the intensity Mexico put into the match," Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said Wednesday.

Also Wednesday, Tunisia stunned France when captain Wahbi Khazri stretched to poke the ball past French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda in the 58th minute at the Education City Stadium.

A second-string France side -- already virtually assured of top spot -- suffered a 1-0 loss to Tunisia.

The north Africans' supporters counted down the final seconds to a famous victory over France that eased the pain of elimination.

"They still had top-class players out there but we were superb and I think the result is down to us," Tunisia goalscorer Khazri said.

"Unfortunately in football it is better not to have to rely on others for results, but we can go out with our heads held high."



Saudi Arabia’s Participation in Paris Olympics Part of Quality of Life Program, Al-Bakr Says

The efforts of the sports system have combined to achieve the strategic goal assigned by Vision 2030 to the Quality of Life Program. (SPA)
The efforts of the sports system have combined to achieve the strategic goal assigned by Vision 2030 to the Quality of Life Program. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s Participation in Paris Olympics Part of Quality of Life Program, Al-Bakr Says

The efforts of the sports system have combined to achieve the strategic goal assigned by Vision 2030 to the Quality of Life Program. (SPA)
The efforts of the sports system have combined to achieve the strategic goal assigned by Vision 2030 to the Quality of Life Program. (SPA)

CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Program Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr said on Friday the Kingdom’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is part of integrated and comprehensive efforts to build a distinguished future for the sports sector in the Kingdom.

This will help reach the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in achieving sports excellence and building a vital and stimulating sports sector for young Saudi men and women.

Al-Bakr said the participation reflects the support of the country’s wise leadership for the sports sector, as well as the efforts made by the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee to develop the sector under the supervision of Sports Minister and Chairman of the Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal.

The efforts of the sports system have combined to achieve the strategic goal assigned by Vision 2030 to the Quality of Life Program, which is “achieving excellence in several sports regionally and globally” by launching several initiatives on supporting and empowering Saudi athletes and contributing to increasing the number of athletes participating in the Olympic Games.

Since its launch in 2018, the program has offered many initiatives to develop the sports sector, Al-Bakr said. He cited the Elite Athletes Development Program, which trained and empowered Saudi players participating in the Paris Olympics, in addition to initiatives concerned with supporting and empowering women to contribute to the sports system, the Saudi Games, and building sports academies, including the establishment of Mahd Academy.

The program seeks to discover, develop, and support sports talents with the aim of creating a sports generation capable of competing in and representing the Kingdom in various regional and international events, he added.