19 Teams to Represent Saudi Arabia in Asian Games in China

A person wearing a protective mask walks past a souvenir store for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China May 6, 2022. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo
A person wearing a protective mask walks past a souvenir store for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China May 6, 2022. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo
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19 Teams to Represent Saudi Arabia in Asian Games in China

A person wearing a protective mask walks past a souvenir store for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China May 6, 2022. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo
A person wearing a protective mask walks past a souvenir store for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China May 6, 2022. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo

Saudi Arabia is set to participate in the 19th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8.

More than 12,000 male and female athletes from 45 Asian countries will come together for the event.

The Kingdom will be represented by a total of 193 athletes, both male and female, who will compete across 19 different games. The games include football, basketball 5×5, handball, athletics, equestrian, darts, fencing, shooting, rowing, wrestling, boxing, taekwondo, jujitsu, karate, kurash, table tennis, tennis, golf, and E-sports.

The Saudi athletes have been preparing for the Asian Games through rigorous training camps conducted both within and outside the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has a commendable track record in the Asian Games, having accumulated a total of 61 medals since their debut in the 1978 Bangkok Games.

The medals consist of 25 gold, 13 silver, and 23 bronze. Notable achievements include a bronze in Beijing 1990, nine medals in Hiroshima 1994 (1 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze), nine medals in Busan 2002 (7 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze), 14 medals in Doha 2006 (8 gold and 6 bronze), 13 medals in Guangzhou 2010 (5 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze), seven medals in Incheon 2014 (3 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze), and six medals in Jakarta 2018 (1 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze).



Messi Fit to Face Porto: Inter Miami's Mascherano

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
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Messi Fit to Face Porto: Inter Miami's Mascherano

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi would be fit to face Porto at the Club World Cup on Thursday, despite showing signs of discomfort in training.

A video emerged of Messi touching his left leg during the session on Wednesday, but Mascherano confirmed the veteran forward was ready for Miami's second Group A match in Atlanta, said AFP.

"On the trip from Miami to Atlanta I saw that came out in some places, but Leo is fit, he trained, he completed the whole session," Mascherano told reporters.

"He was touching his leg, sometimes people touch themselves, but there's no problem, he's fit and obviously he will play tomorrow."

The coach said Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba was available after missing the opening 0-0 draw against Al Ahly due to injury.

"We'll evaluate what's best for us, if he starts or not," said the coach. "Actually, I already know but I won't tell you."

Mascherano meanwhile said retaining possession would be the key against Portugal's Porto, regular Champions League participants who are likely to provide the MLS team with a stern test.

"We have players who feel much more comfortable when they're in possession, dominating, and having control of the game through the ball," said the Argentine.

"Of course, we're facing a team that also is used to doing that, who are a high level side.

"But on the pitch we're 11 against 11, we'll try to shut down their strengths, expose their weaknesses and try to have a great game to get a good result."

Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, a member of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning side and one of Messi's former Barcelona team-mates, admitted his team would be up against it at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

"They have very good players, they have reinforced and we know that it will be very difficult," Busquets told reporters.

"They are a team that compete every year for their league, against other great teams like Sporting and Benfica.

"We will try to be as solid as possible, stick close together and try to do the best we can as a team.

"If we get chances, we have the individuals (who can finish them), but above all we have to be solid and keep a clean sheet."