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Al-Ahli Crowned New Kings of Asian Champions League Elite

Moment Al-Ahli lift continental title (Reuters)
Moment Al-Ahli lift continental title (Reuters)
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Al-Ahli Crowned New Kings of Asian Champions League Elite

Moment Al-Ahli lift continental title (Reuters)
Moment Al-Ahli lift continental title (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli ended a long drought in major tournament triumphs, particularly on the continental stage, by clinching the revamped AFC Elite Champions League title with a historic 2-0 victory over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.
In a night to remember at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, known as the “Shining Jewel,” Brazilian forward Galeno and Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié scored in a dramatic final that marked a turning point for the Jeddah-based club.
Thousands of jubilant Al-Ahli fans turned the stadium into a sea of green, celebrating their team’s return to continental glory. The win not only revived memories of past successes for the club, nicknamed the “Castle of Trophies,” but also gave Saudi football a fresh milestone—securing the first title in the competition’s new format.
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation, crowned Al-Ahli as champions of the new-look AFC Elite Champions League on Saturday night, alongside Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, who presented gold medals to the victorious players and silver medals to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
Al-Ahli entered the final with a star-studded lineup featuring goalkeeper Edouard Mendy; defenders Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibañez and Ezgjan Alioski; midfielders Ziyad Al-Juhani, Franck Kessié, and Riyad Mahrez; and an attacking trio of Galeno, Roberto Firmino, and Ivan Toney.
The first half unfolded as a tense and tactical affair, with both sides probing cautiously until the 35th minute. Then, Brazilian winger Galeno electrified the home crowd with a clever low strike that broke the deadlock, beating Kawasaki’s goalkeeper and swinging momentum decisively in Al-Ahli’s favor.
Riding the wave of home support, Al-Ahli struck again just seven minutes later. Galeno turned provider with a pinpoint cross that Kessié met with a powerful header to double the lead in the 42nd minute, sending the stadium into raptures.
In the second half, Kawasaki came out pressing hard for a comeback, but the Saudi side refused to sit back. Al-Ahli launched a series of quick counterattacks from the wings and through the middle, forcing their Japanese opponents to split focus between defense and attack.
Despite Kawasaki’s relentless efforts to breach the Saudi backline, Al-Ahli’s defense stood firm until the final whistle, sealing a famous night for the Jeddah club and a significant milestone for Saudi football.

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Sports

Serena Williams to Partner Canada's Victoria Mboko on Competitive Return at Queen's Club

(FILES) US player Serena Williams returns the ball to France's Harmony Tan during their women's singles tennis match on the second day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
(FILES) US player Serena Williams returns the ball to France's Harmony Tan during their women's singles tennis match on the second day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
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Serena Williams to Partner Canada's Victoria Mboko on Competitive Return at Queen's Club

(FILES) US player Serena Williams returns the ball to France's Harmony Tan during their women's singles tennis match on the second day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
(FILES) US player Serena Williams returns the ball to France's Harmony Tan during their women's singles tennis match on the second day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Serena Williams will partner Canada's Victoria Mboko in her long-awaited return to professional tennis in the women's doubles at next week's Queen's Club Championships, Mboko confirmed on Thursday.

The 44-year-old Williams, a 23-times Grand Slam winner, has not competed since the 2022 US Open. The American and Mboko, 19, received a wildcard for the doubles draw ⁠at Queen's Club.

"The Queen ⁠is back. An honor to share the court with one of the greatest athletes of all time this week," Mboko, who had hinted about Williams' return after ⁠winning her French Open second-round match, said in a post on Instagram.

"Even more excited to play doubles together! Tennis is pretty special."

Williams announced her return on social media after speculation intensified following her re-entry into the anti-doping testing pool last year, despite previously saying she was "evolving away from tennis.”

Williams ⁠will ⁠take the court in London at the WTA 500 tournament running from June 8 to 14, Reuters reported.

She has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her sister Venus and the pair remain undefeated in major finals.

Mboko, who is ranked ninth in singles, also claimed Williams as her "idol" at Roland Garros last week.

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Napoli Officially Announces Conte's Departure

(FILES) SSC Napoli head coach Antonio Conte reacts at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Como and SSC Napoli at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
(FILES) SSC Napoli head coach Antonio Conte reacts at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Como and SSC Napoli at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
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Napoli Officially Announces Conte's Departure

(FILES) SSC Napoli head coach Antonio Conte reacts at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Como and SSC Napoli at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
(FILES) SSC Napoli head coach Antonio Conte reacts at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Como and SSC Napoli at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)

Italian Serie A runners-up Napoli confirmed on Thursday that coach Antonio Conte will leave the club after two years with former AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri tipped to take over.

"Napoli announces that an agreement has been reached with Antonio Conte and his staff to part ways before the natural expiry of their contracts," AFP quoted the club as saying in a statement.

"We would like to thank the coach and his backroom team for their excellent work. We wish them the very best for the future and the next challenges they will face in their careers.

"Thanks, coach!"

Conte, 56, who guided Napoli to the Serie A title in the 2024/25 campaign, has been widely touted as the favorite to take over as Italy coach.

The former Italy international previously coached the national side between 2014 and 2016, taking them to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals where they lost on penalties to Germany.

Napoli are reported to be in advanced talks with Allegri, 58, who was sacked as AC Milan coach after missing out on next season's Champions League.

Sports

Bobby Tambling, Chelsea's Former All-time Leading Goal Scorer, Dies at 84

FILE -Bobby Tambling, is seen on middle row, extreme left as the Chelsea football team pose for a group photograph at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground, London, May 12, 1967. (AP Photo/Frank Leonard Tewkesbury, File)
FILE -Bobby Tambling, is seen on middle row, extreme left as the Chelsea football team pose for a group photograph at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground, London, May 12, 1967. (AP Photo/Frank Leonard Tewkesbury, File)
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Bobby Tambling, Chelsea's Former All-time Leading Goal Scorer, Dies at 84

FILE -Bobby Tambling, is seen on middle row, extreme left as the Chelsea football team pose for a group photograph at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground, London, May 12, 1967. (AP Photo/Frank Leonard Tewkesbury, File)
FILE -Bobby Tambling, is seen on middle row, extreme left as the Chelsea football team pose for a group photograph at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground, London, May 12, 1967. (AP Photo/Frank Leonard Tewkesbury, File)

Bobby Tambling, the Chelsea great who held the English club’s all-time scoring record for decades, has died. He was 84.

Tambling's death was confirmed Thursday by Chelsea, which didn't disclose more details, as well as Irish soccer club Crosshaven, where he had a spell as manager, The Associated Press reported.

Chelsea described Tambling as “one of our most legendary players” and said “his name is written very large in our history.”

His 202 goals in 370 appearances for Chelsea from 1959-1970 made him the team’s record scorer until 2013, when Frank Lampard surpassed the tally.

Tambling made his Chelsea debut at age 17 in 1959 and was part of the team that won the League Cup in 1965, scoring against Leicester in the final.

His five goals in a single match against Aston Villa in 1966 remains a Chelsea record. He also played for Crystal Palace, and earned three international caps for England.

After settling in Cork, Ireland, Tambling managed Cork Celtic, Cork City and Crosshaven.

Britain's Press Association said Tambling had been diagnosed with dementia in recent years.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that Crosshaven AFC announce the passing of our dear friend and former manager, Bobby Tambling — a true Chelsea legend and an even more wonderful human being," the team said in a post on X.

“His passion for football was absolutely infectious. Bobby leaves an enormous hole in all our lives. We are all better, kinder, and richer for having known him."