Saudi National Team Secures Spot in AFC Asian Cup Round of 16

Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA
Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA
TT

Saudi National Team Secures Spot in AFC Asian Cup Round of 16

Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA
Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA

The Saudi national football team secured a spot in the round of 16 of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 by defeating the Kyrgyz national team 2-0 on Sunday at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
The match, attended by 39,557 spectators, was part of the second round of the sixth group competitions, which also saw a goalless draw between Thailand and Oman, SPA reported.
Mohammad Kannou and Faisal Al-Ghamdi scored in the 36th and 85th minutes, respectively, for the Saudi team, known as "the Greens," securing a 2-0 victory.
This win elevated their total points to six, placing them at the top of the group with a two-point lead over Thailand.
Oman earned its first point, while Kyrgyzstan suffered its second loss in the tournament.
The group's leadership will be determined in the final round when Saudi Arabia faces Thailand next Thursday for the third group stage match.
The Greens require only a draw to secure the top spot, while Thailand needs one point to secure the second position and advance to the round of 16 alongside the Saudi team.
Simultaneously, Oman will compete against Kyrgyzstan.



Madrid Rests Stars and Still Whips Lowly Deportiva Minera 5-0 in Copa Del Rey

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder #10 Luka Modrić runs back with the ball after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 3, 2025. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder #10 Luka Modrić runs back with the ball after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 3, 2025. (AFP)
TT

Madrid Rests Stars and Still Whips Lowly Deportiva Minera 5-0 in Copa Del Rey

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder #10 Luka Modrić runs back with the ball after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 3, 2025. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder #10 Luka Modrić runs back with the ball after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 3, 2025. (AFP)

Real Madrid rested most of its big stars and still hammered fourth tier Deportivo Minera 5-0 to reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Monday.

Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and goalkeeper Ferland Mendy all started on the bench as coach Carlo Ancelotti gave a debut to 17-year-old central defender Diego Aguado, who lined up alongside his elder brother Lorenzo.

Endrick, Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler all got rare starts up front for Real and the visitors took just four minutes to score when Federico Valverde volleyed home.

Eduardo Camavinga headed a second after 12 minutes and a slight deflection helped Güler get a third a quarter of an hour later.

Minera reached the last 32 after beating La Liga side Alaves in the previous round but there was no way back against a vastly superior club that has won this trophy 20 times, especially when Ancelotti gave Vinicius and Mbappé a second half runout.

Captain Luka Modrić added the fourth nine minutes into the second half and Güler got the fifth with two minutes remaining.