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Al-Ittihad to Meet New Zealand’s Auckland City in First Match of 2023 FIFA Club World Cup

(FILES) Ittihad's French forward #09 Karim Benzema reacts during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Riyadh at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd stadium in Riyadh on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
(FILES) Ittihad's French forward #09 Karim Benzema reacts during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Riyadh at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd stadium in Riyadh on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
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Al-Ittihad to Meet New Zealand’s Auckland City in First Match of 2023 FIFA Club World Cup

(FILES) Ittihad's French forward #09 Karim Benzema reacts during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Riyadh at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd stadium in Riyadh on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
(FILES) Ittihad's French forward #09 Karim Benzema reacts during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Ittihad and Al-Riyadh at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd stadium in Riyadh on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)

Al-Ittihad football team of Saudi Arabia is set to meet on Tuesday evening, December 12, Auckland City Football Club of New Zealand, in the opening of the 20th edition of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, to be held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, SPA said on Tuesday.
Led by French striker Karim Benzema and his compatriot N’Golo Kante, Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad enters this confrontation armed with prominent and distinguished players with great experience, local and regional record and a high technical level.
The Saudi fans in general, and Al-Ittihad in particular, are looking forward to Tuesday’s match, in view of the constellation of stars who represent them on the field, technically led by Argentine coach Gallardo, and with the advantage of playing at home. Indeed, the Saudi sports fans wish their team achieve a positive result, enabling it to make further progress in the event which witnesses the participation of seven teams: England’s Manchester City, Egypt’s Al-Ahly, Japan’s Urawa Reds, Brazil’s Fluminense, Mexico’s Club Leon, and New Zealand’s Auckland City.

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Murray Pulls Out of Singles in Wimbledon Farewell, to Play Doubles

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs
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Murray Pulls Out of Singles in Wimbledon Farewell, to Play Doubles

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs

Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray pulled out of the singles competition but will play doubles alongside his brother Jamie in his farewell appearance at the Grand Slam, with the 37-year-old saying on Tuesday he had taken the right decision.
Murray, who underwent surgery on June 22 to remove a spinal cyst which was compressing his nerves and made him lose control and power in his right leg, decided he was not fit enough for the demands of singles competition.
"I wanted to sleep on it, make sure I was happy with the decision and give myself the chance when I woke up to see if it felt much better," Murray said, a few hours after his team announced the decision.
"I ran around a bit at home this morning when I got up - it wasn't where I wanted it to be, unfortunately.
"It's probably a few days too soon but I'm proud I worked extremely hard to give myself a chance to play. It's the right decision."
Murray was due to face Czech Tomas Machac on Centre Court in singles on Tuesday, having informed the All England Club that he would take as long as possible to decide, Reuters reported.
"Andy - we're sorry to hear you won't be playing singles this year," Wimbledon said on social media.
"But we are so looking forward to seeing you compete in the doubles and celebrating all the memories you have given us."
Fans arriving at Wimbledon to watch Murray were left disappointed as the news spread around the grounds.
"It's a real shame because I really wanted to see him," said Lewis Jones, who could return to watch Murray play doubles.
"We were going to sit on the hill and enjoy his match today so I'm really disappointed. He means everything (to the people). He's a British star at Wimbledon."
Murray said he expected to be competitive when he and his brother take on Australians Rinky Hijikata and John Peers later this week.
"It's not like were going to roll over and lose the match. We've got a good chance of winning," Murray added.
"Me and Jamie play great doubles together and if both of us are fit and well on the court we can definitely win the match."