Asian Snooker Championship Launches in Riyadh

Asian Snooker Championship “Riyadh 2024” kicks off in Saudi Arabia (File Photo)
Asian Snooker Championship “Riyadh 2024” kicks off in Saudi Arabia (File Photo)
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Asian Snooker Championship Launches in Riyadh

Asian Snooker Championship “Riyadh 2024” kicks off in Saudi Arabia (File Photo)
Asian Snooker Championship “Riyadh 2024” kicks off in Saudi Arabia (File Photo)

The Asian Snooker Championship “Riyadh 2024” kicked off in Saudi Arabia, and will continue until July 5. More than 200 male and female players representing 15 Asian countries are participating in the event, SPA reported.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, the participants include players from Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Iran, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.

The event was attended by the President of the Asian Snooker Confederation, Mohammed Al-Nuaimi; the President of the Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation, Dr. Nasser Al-Shammari; and heads and members of the participating countries.
The first day of the tournament saw the start of two competitions: “Men’s 6-Ball Snooker” and “15-Ball Under 21.”



Argentina Beats Ecuador 4-2, Reaches Copa America Semifinals

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: Fans wearing Mexican sombreros cheer prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Argentina and Ecuador at NRG Stadium on July 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Omar Vega/Getty Images/AFP
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: Fans wearing Mexican sombreros cheer prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Argentina and Ecuador at NRG Stadium on July 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Omar Vega/Getty Images/AFP
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Argentina Beats Ecuador 4-2, Reaches Copa America Semifinals

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: Fans wearing Mexican sombreros cheer prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Argentina and Ecuador at NRG Stadium on July 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Omar Vega/Getty Images/AFP
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: Fans wearing Mexican sombreros cheer prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Argentina and Ecuador at NRG Stadium on July 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Omar Vega/Getty Images/AFP

Defending champion Argentina advanced to the Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw on Thursday night after conceding a tying goal in second-half injury time.

Lionel Messi put Argentina’s first penalty kick off the crossbar but goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved Ecuador’s first two attempts in the shootout and Nicolás Otamendi beat Alexander Domínguez with the winning kick, The Associated Press reported.
Liisandro Martínez gave the Albiceleste a 35th-minute lead, but Kevin Rodríguez tied the score in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Ecuador’s Enner Valencia had put a penalty kick off a post in the 62nd minute after a hand ball by Rodrigo De Paul.
Seeking its third straight major title, Argentina advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and will play Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina is looking to win a record 16th Copa America championship.
With Argentina going first in the shootout, Messi tried a Panenka and hit the crossbar.
Martínez, the goalkeeper in Argentina's shootout win over France in the 2022 World Cup final, saved shootout kicks by Ángel Mena, diving to his left and batting the ball with his trailing hand, and Alan Minda, diving right and following the save with a short dance.
Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister converted to put Argentina ahead 2-0, and John Yeboah made Ecuador's third attempt.
Gonzalo Montiel gave Argentina a 3-1 lead, Jordy Caicedo converted to keep Ecuador alive and Otamendi got the winner, tucking the ball inside the post just past the outstretched arm of Domínguez.
Liisandro Martínez had put Argentina ahead in the 35th minute with a header after Mac Allister headed on Messi’s corner kick. Rodríguez scored when he headed in John Yeboah’s cross.
Under Copa America regulations, the match went straight from the end of regulation to a shootout, without extra time.
Messi, who did not play in Argentina’s last group stage match against Peru due to a leg injury he sustained June 25 against Chile, got a loud ovation when he entered the field 45 minutes before kickoff.