Evan Toney celebrates Saudi Arabia's qualification for the Gulf Cup final, and Al-Qadisiyah strengthens its lead for women

Englishman Evan Toney, Al-Ahly striker, celebrated the Saudi national team’s qualification to the Gulf Cup final, in a scene that reflects the extent of the connection between him and Saudi football.

Tony posted on his account on the social media platform a video clip of the penalty kick executed by Mukhtar Ali, which contributed to Al-Akhdar crossing to the final match, following the Saudi team’s celebrations of qualifying, in a gesture that attracted the attention of followers.

Tony's interaction with the Saudi national team was not an isolated case among the foreign players who were associated with Saudi football, as he was preceded in that by a number of professionals who maintained their presence and follow-up of Al-Akhdar even after leaving the Saudi stadiums, including the Brazilian Elton Jose, the former Al-Nasr player, and the Frenchman Bafetimbi Gomez, the former Al-Hilal striker.

Al-Qadisiyah team strengthened its lead in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, after defeating its guest, NEOM, with two clean goals in the fourth round competitions.

Talah Al-Ghamdi, a player for Al-Qadisiyah team, expressed her joy after the victory, saying: An important victory and we got the three points. Appearing with a clean sheet is the result of teamwork from all lines of the team. We are happy with Al-Qadisiyah leading the way before the break.

In Medina, Al-Hilal continued its victories after defeating its host, Al-Ula, with a score of (3-1), to end the round as runner-up.

In Jeddah, Al-Nasr won the El Clásico match, which took place on Friday with Al-Ahly, with a clean score, raising its score to 9 points in third place.

In Qatif, Al-Ittihad achieved a valuable victory over its host Esperance, 4-0.

Al-Ittihad player Maria Diaz confirmed that the team is moving at a steady and good pace towards focusing on providing a distinguished performance, noting in her interview with Asharq Al-Awsat* that coming out with a clean sheet is the result of great work by everyone, especially the young female players.

She added: I thank Al-Ittihad fans for their continued support, and we look forward to seeing them in the upcoming matches.

The champions of the 15th edition of the National Championship for Purebred Arabian Horses were crowned at the conclusion of three-day competitions at the Khalidiya Farm in Riyadh, amid wide participation from owners and the presence of a crowd of people interested in purebred Arabian horses.

The tournament witnessed strong competition in various age groups, amid an enthusiastic atmosphere and remarkable public interaction, under the supervision of the King Abdulaziz Center for Purebred Arabian Horses.

The championship for one-year-old fillies resulted in the filly “DA Sheikha” winning the gold medal, while “KH Risha” came second and won the silver, and “Al-Awaja Ajmal” came third to win the bronze.

In the championship for one-year-old colts, the colt “Bairaq Qaysar Al Arab” won the gold, “Shinar Granada” won the silver, while the bronze went to “Hayab Ajmal.”

In the competition for fillies aged two to three years, “Antonina CMI” won gold, “Salma Al-Sayed” won silver, and “Miral Al-Basha” won bronze.

The colt “SK Rahn” won the gold medal in the championship for colts aged two to three years, and “Aseel Ajmal” came in second place, achieving silver, while “Nader Athba” won bronze.

In the Mares Championship, “Nouf Athba” won the gold medal, “Misk Al Salam” came second with silver, while “Damascus Al Sayed” won bronze.

The competitions concluded with the stallion championship, which saw the stallion “Al-Fahd” being crowned with gold, while the silver went to “Sultan Al-Tanaha,” and “Fakher Al-Husi” won bronze.

For his part, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, expressed his happiness at the success of the fifteenth edition, of which he is chairing the organizing committee for the first time, stressing that the competitive level and public attendance reflected the status enjoyed by the purebred Arabian horse beauty championships in the Kingdom.