جرس إنذار مبكر أمام «الزعيم».. خسارة موجعة للسد أمام الاستقلال

لم تكن البداية الآسيوية التي انتظرها السد وجماهيره على قدر الطموحات، بعدما سقط «الزعيم» أمام الاستقلال الإيراني بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، في المواجهة التي جمعتهما بمدينة البصرة العراقية، ضمن افتتاح مشوار الفريق في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة، ليبدأ السد رحلة المنافسة القارية بخسارة تفرض عليه ضرورة التعويض في الجولات القادمة. سجل أهداف المباراة اللاعب ياسر أساني في الدقيقة 9، وسعيد خيزان في الدقيقة 47، وإسماعيل جولزاده في 95.
ودخل السد المباراة بطموح تحقيق نتيجة إيجابية تمنحه دفعة قوية في مستهل مشواره، إلا أن الاستقلال كان الأكثر نجاحاً في التعامل مع مجريات اللقاء، ونجح في استغلال الفرص التي سنحت له، في الوقت الذي لم يظهر فيه «الزعيم» بالصورة الهجومية المنتظرة، لاسيما على مستوى صناعة الخطورة أمام مرمى الفريق الإيراني.
وتمكن الاستقلال من الوصول إلى شباك السد في ثلاث مناسبات، مستفيداً من بعض المساحات والأخطاء التي ظهرت في أداء الفريق السداوي، بينما حاول لاعبو «الزعيم» العودة إلى المباراة وتقليص الفارق، لكن المحاولات لم تجد طريقها إلى الشباك، في ظل التنظيم الدفاعي الجيد للفريق الإيراني، ونجح السد في تقليص الفارق عن طريق اللاعب فيرمينو ولكن بعد العودة لتقنية الفيديو.. حكم المباراة ألغى هدف تقليص الفارق بداعي لمسة يد على اللاعب يوسف عبد الرزاق..
ومع مرور الدقائق، حاول السد تغيير شكل المباراة والضغط من أجل العودة، إلا أن الاستقلال عرف كيف يحافظ على تقدمه، لينهي المواجهة لمصلحته بثلاثة أهداف للاشيء، ويخرج بثلاث نقاط ثمينة.
الخسارة في الجولة الأولى لا تعني نهاية المشوار، لكنها تمثل جرس إنذار مبكراً أمام «الزعيم»، الذي يدرك أن المنافسة في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة تتطلب تركيزاً عالياً وثباتاً في المستوى، خصوصاً أن هامش الخطأ في البطولة القارية يبقى محدوداً.

Doha, Qatar: The sixth edition of the Seashore Phoenix Games 2026 has reached another milestone with the conclusion of the men’s competitions, following three days of intense action that brought together more than 400 male and female athletes representing over 40 countries. truewildgame.com

Held at venues across Aspire Zone, including the Women’s Sports Hall, Aspire Park and Aspire Dome, the championship featured high-level competition testing athletes’ strength, speed, endurance and overall fitness. The event also attracted a strong public turnout, adding to its vibrant atmosphere.

In the Community category, Erada Al Khor finished first, followed by Unlimited Plus, while Circuit, Storm, Storm Teams and Re-Podium shared third place. Dennis Catana won the Masters category, with Khalifa Al Sabri second and Ragheed Al Ghazzy third.

Erada (Al Hashemi’s) emerged victorious in the National Teams category, ahead of Erada (Legacy), while Erada Al Khor (No Fear) took third. CrossFit Al Ain UAE topped the Teams category, followed by Rig UAE and QHP Coal UAE.

In the RX category, Radouane El Ghadouoni secured first place, with Mosstafa Salhani second and Hamza Mahir third. The awards ceremony also recognised outstanding individual and team performances. Omar Al Hashemi was named Best Qatari Player, while Ammar Al Hussaini received the Spirit of the Games Award. Al Hashemi’s Team was named Best Qatari Team.

Nasser Abdullah Al Hajri, Acting Director General of Aspire Logistics, said hosting the championship reflected Aspire Zone Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting sporting events and strengthening Qatar’s position as a destination for specialised international competitions.

He praised the athletes for their performances and highlighted the strong international participation, noting that the presence of more than 400 athletes from over 40 countries added significant sporting and public appeal to the event.

Al Hajri also stressed the importance of collaboration among the organisers, sponsors and partners in delivering the championship to a high standard. He said the strong public turnout demonstrated growing interest in fitness sports and an increasing demand for sporting events that provide audiences with a complete experience beyond the competitions themselves.

The conclusion of the men’s events was marked by a special ceremony honouring sponsors and partners for their contributions to the championship. Aspire Zone Foundation was recognised as the official sponsor, while Qatar Calendar served as strategic partner, Al Kass Sports Channels as broadcaster and Erada Fitness as organiser. Seashore was the title sponsor.

Liverpool: Andoni Iraola admitted there would be "ups and downs" for Liverpool as he searches for consistency early in his Anfield reign following a stuttering start to the season.

The former Bournemouth boss, who replaced the sacked Arne Slot, oversaw a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against Fulham on Saturday, following morale-boosting wins over Ipswich and Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool, already well off the pace in the Premier League, next face goal-shy Tottenham in the third round of the League Cup at Anfield on Tuesday.

"I understand the frustration the other day (against Fulham) because we were also frustrated," said Iraola.

"We were coming from two good games, and we were considering, 'OK, it's a step forward'. You switch, it's a step forward, Atletico Madrid... and then it's a step backwards.

"The performance level is not like the two other days. But this happens in football. We have to accept it in terms of there are going to be ups and downs in this process.

"But we are clear that where we want to go is more towards where we've been, Atletico Madrid, Ipswich. That's the kind of style, that's the kind of football that we want. And I think now the key is the consistency to perform like this."

The Liverpool manager, appointed in June, said he was content with the resources at his disposal, bolstered by the signings of Bradley Barcola, Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.

Iraola suggested he would make changes for the Spurs game as he balances the demands of multiple competitions, confirming Giorgi Mamardashvili would start in goal in place of number one Alisson Becker.

"I am very happy with the squad, I value a lot the players we have. If we win games, the squad will look amazing and fantastic," he said.

"If we don't win, there are going to be problems -- if it's not the depth, it's going to be whatever. But I think we will see also tomorrow players that we haven't seen still, and I am really looking forward to see, because I feel they are going to play well, or they can help us, and probably they still haven't had the chance."

Paris, France: Edouard Mendy, 34, the Senegal national team goalkeeper, announced through his social media handles his retirement from international football on Sunday.

"Jerejef (Thank you) Senegal," Mendy posted in Wolof, the principle language of the country, above a video montage showing his greatest moments in a Senegal shirt, which he has now laid to rest after eight years and 59 caps with the Lions of Teranga.

Born in France, Mendy, who has played top level club football for Marseille, Reims, Rennes and Chelsea and is currently in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, was handed his international debut by Aliou Cisse in 2018.

He was in the Senegal side that won the Africa Nations Cup on penalties against Egypt in 2021 and also played at last year's event which Senegal won 1-0 on the pitch before it was later awarded to hosts Morocco instead by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear Senegal's appeal on October 8.

Together with captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and superstar Sadio Mane, Mendy embodied Senegal's golden generation.

He played at the 2022 World Cup and was still a key part of the side at the 2026 edition in the United States, where they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Belgium (3-2).

The Senegalese national team, now coached by Patrick Vieira, also paid tribute to him on their social media accounts.

"There are careers that are measured in caps, trophies and statistics," they posted. "And then there are those that are measured by the place they hold in the memory of a people. Edouard Mendy, your story with the Lions now belongs to that category."