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Talal Haji was the star of the show for Saudi Arabia on Monday, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Tajikistan to secure a place in the quarterfinals of the U-17 Asian Cup. The 15 year-old striker found the target twice in the second half with well-taken goals in Chonburi, Thailand, to make it two wins from two in Group C. Those six points in the bank mean coach Abdel Wahab Al-Harbi can start preparing for the knockout stage.

ROTTERDAM: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has quelled the doubts around him by leading his country to Nations League glory and ending a decade-long trophy drought. La Roja needed penalties to see off Croatia and triumph in Rotterdam, but doing so helped ease tensions following their Euro 2024 qualifying defeat by Scotland in March. De la Fuente’s appointment by the Spanish Football Federation to replace Luis Enrique raised eyebrows — the 61-year-old is a relative unknown as a coach, having worked within the country’s youth ranks from 2013 onwards.

In a recent conversation with her psychologist, Egyptian tennis star Mayar Sherif was asked what was driving her the most. “She was asking me, ‘What is your motivation right now? Because motivation can move mountains’,” recalled Sherif in an interview with Arab News on Monday. “I told her, ‘I’m dying to pass Ismail’s career-high mark of 34,’ so that was definitely a goal I had in my mind.” Sherif was referring to Ismail El-Shafei, who, until Sunday, was the highest-ranked Egyptian in Open era history, having peaked at No.34 in the world back in 1975.

On Saturday night, top figures from Saudi sports attended the launch of the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics in a show of support for the Kingdom’s 130-strong delegation. Saudi Arabia’s largest Special Olympics contingent since the 1995 Games in New Haven, Connecticut, is made up of 85 male and female athletes who will take part in 15 sports. Present at the opening ceremony in the German capital was Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi minister of sports and president of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, who attended on behalf of King Salman.

BAGHDAD: Hosts Iraq will face Iran in the final of the WAFF U-23 Championship after the two nations triumphed in the semifinals against Jordan and Oman respectively on Sunday. The final of the West Asian Football Federation tournament will take place on Tuesday night. In the first semifinal Iran and Jordan played out a 0-0 draw before the former won 4-3 on penalties in Baghdad.

DUBAI: The first two days of the AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 – Gi have been dominated by Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club at Al-Nasr Club. Day one saw action in the infants and junior divisions, with Sharjah securing the top spot, followed by Palms Sports Academy in second place and ADMA Academy third. On day two, in the teens, youth and masters’ categories, Sharjah again took the lead, with Commando Group and A.F.N.T. in second and third respectively.

NOTTINGHAM: Katie Boulter won her first WTA Tour title on Sunday, beating Jodie Burrage 6-3 6-3 in the Nottingham Open in the first all-British final at this level for 46 years. Boulter cemented her position as British No. 1 and will move to a career high inside the world’s top 80. “I’m definitely going to be sleeping with this trophy tonight,” said Boulter, who grew up in nearby Leicester.