Harris allies point fingers at Biden for election defeat    Trump victory 'major setback' to climate action    Australia plans social media ban for under-16s    German coalition collapses after Scholz fires key minister    Liam Payne's body to be flown back to the UK    HRT does not impact life expectancy — UK health body    Neymar suffers muscle tear, out for 4-6 weeks    Suspect arrested for banking fraud totaling SR493 million as Nazaha pursues corruption charges    Arab leaders and heads of state congratulate US President-elect Donald Trump    Crown Prince, Pakistan Army Chief discuss ways to enhance military cooperation    Crown Prince aspires to strengthen strategic US-Saudi ties in call with Trump    Crown Prince hails Saudi medical team that performed world's first fully robotic heart transplant    Heavy Equipment and Truck Show to spotlight Tata Motors' cutting-edge mobility solutions    IKEA Alsulaiman opens Madinah store as part of an ambitious expansion plan in the Kingdom    Prince Badr signs MoUs with Al-Qasabi and Al-Falih to empower entrepreneurs and boost investments in cultural sector    Quality of life of Madinah residents and enriching visitor experience highlighted in Cairo event    Al Nassr secures 5-1 victory over Al Ain to edge closer to knockout stage    Top climber falls to death after rare Himalayan feat    Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Freak goal gives Reds edge over Seoul
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 19 - 05 - 2016

Tomoya Ugajin's freak goal gave Urawa Red Diamonds a 1-0 win over FC Seoul and a great chance of reaching the AFC Champions League quarterfinals in their Round of 16 first leg Wednesday.

Ugajin was alone on the edge of the box when he received Ryota Moriwaki's raking cross, and he looked as surprised as anyone when his hopeful volley looped unstoppably into the far corner.

It was an unexpected but welcome dose of good fortune for the 2007 champion from Japan, who will hope it is a good omen for next week's return leg in the South Korean capital.

Ugajin's cross-cum-shot carried shades of Dutch legend Marco van Basten's stunner in the Euro 1988 final — apart from the huge dose of luck that put it into the net.

FC Seoul created plenty in reply but Brazilian striker Adriano, after scoring 10 in the group stage, was out of sorts and ballooned a golden chance over the goal late in the first half.

Seoul keeper Yu Sang-hun saved sharply at the feet of Yosuke Kashiwagi early in the second half, before Osmar Barba blazed over at the other end on 67 minutes.

With two minutes left, Adriano had another chance to level the scores. But his shot was smothered and a pulsating game finished 1-0, to the delight of the vocal Saitama crowd.

FC Seoul reached the Asian final in 2013 and after their free-scoring romp through the group phase, they will be confident of making amends on home soil next week.

Later, Sydney FC's first appearance in the knockout stages ended in a 1-1 draw against Shandong Luneng, which fought back from behind after missing an early penalty.

After Vedran Janjetovic got down well to stop Walter Montillo's spot kick, Australia international David Carney nodded the visitors in front on the quarter-hour.

But the Chinese team, led by ex-Brazil coach Mano Menezes, came back firing. After Li Wei thundered a shot against the crossbar, Diego Tardelli equalized in the 57th minute.

The Brazilian forward half-volleyed a corner into the roof of the net for his sixth goal of the tournament to leave the tie delicately poised ahead of next week's second leg.
In another encounter, Mohammadreza Abbasi's 76th minute header earned Zobahan a 1-1 draw with inaugural ACL winner Al-Ain of the UAE in Al-Ain to leave the teams' chances delicately balanced going into next week's second leg.
Douglas netted nine minutes into a game controlled by the 2003 champions, but Zlatko Dalic's side will be left to rue their inability – once again – to turn their dominance into goals after seeing Abbasi claim a vital equalizer.
The two teams will face off in Ishfahan next Wednesday.


Barca's Qatar friendly scrapped

Spanish champion Barcelona's scheduled friendly against Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli Saudi in Doha, Qatar, has been canceled by the club's Qatari sponsors just six days before the game was due to take place.

"Qatar Airways, the host and sponsor of the friendly match between FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi FC, which was scheduled to be played on May 24 in Doha, has opted to postpone the game," Barcelona said in a statement Wednesday.

"That same week, the region is also hosting the prestigious Emir Cup Final, as well as games being played in the AFC League.

"The coincidence of the match with these major sporting events means that the game will now be postponed to a later date (to be announced shortly) in order to encourage the best possible attendance."

The news comes as talks over extending Qatar Airways' shirt sponsorship of the five-time European champion continues to stall.

Barca signed a 150 million euro ($170 million) five-year deal with the Qatar Foundation in 2010 which runs out at the end of this season.


Clic here to read the story from its source.