Saudi Arabia Qualifies for Semi-finals of 26th Arabian Gulf Cup with 3–1 Victory Over Iraq

28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
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Saudi Arabia Qualifies for Semi-finals of 26th Arabian Gulf Cup with 3–1 Victory Over Iraq

28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa

The Saudi national football team has secured its qualification for the semi-finals of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup after defeating Iraq 3-1 in its final group-stage match in Kuwait on Saturday.
Saudi goals came from Forward Salem Al-Dawsari, who converted a penalty in the 57th minute, and Striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who scored in the 81st and 86th minutes. Iraq’s sole goal was scored by Forward Mohanad Ali in the 64th minute.
With this victory, the Saudi team increased its points tally to six and secured its place in the semi-finals alongside group leader Bahrain.

Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal congratulated the Saudi national football team players, along with the technical and administrative staff.

The minister extended his congratulations during a phone call with President of the Saudi Football Federation Yasser Almisehal, expressing his gratitude for the players’ outstanding performance and high spirit, as well as the efforts of the technical and administrative staff.
Prince Abdulaziz wished the national team continued success in showcasing their renowned skills and achieving the tournament title.



French Open Organizers Scrap 25th Anniversary Ceremony for Mary Pierce as She Can’t Attend 

Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)
Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)
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French Open Organizers Scrap 25th Anniversary Ceremony for Mary Pierce as She Can’t Attend 

Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)
Sixth-seeded Mary Pierce of France kisses the trophy after she defeated fifth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain 6-2, 7-5, during their final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday, June 10, 2000. (AP)

A ceremony to honor Mary Pierce, the last Frenchwoman to win the title at Roland-Garros 25 years ago, has been scrapped because she can't attend, French Open organizers said on Wednesday.

The ceremony was scheduled to take place on Thursday between the women’s semifinals at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament. But Pierce is unable to be there this week “due to personal reasons,” organizers said.

Pierce’s title at the 2000 French Open was the most recent in singles for a French player, male or female, at Roland-Garros. The 50-year-old Pierce also won the doubles title that year. Her other Grand Slam singles title came at the 1995 Australian Open, and she helped France win two Fed Cup titles.

The ceremony was supposed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her title at Roland-Garros, as well as her 2019 induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, French Open organizers said.