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Game Changers Falcons crowned Champions of World Tennis League Season 3, after a thrilling last-set victory over TSL Hawks

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Game Changers Falcons clinched the World Tennis League Season 3 title with a hard-fought 20-16 victory over TSL Hawks at the iconic Etihad Arena on Sunday. 

Despite losing the first two sets – women’s doubles and women’s singles – Game Changers Falcons staged a remarkable comeback, dominating the men’s doubles and men’s singles to claim the title in a thrilling fashion.

In a rematch of the season opener, Game Changers Falcons’ Elena Rybakina and Caroline Garcia began strongly, breaking the opening serve of the match against TSL Hawks’ Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva. Despite their stellar performances in the league stage, Sabalenka and Andreeva looked unsettled early on. However, they mounted an impressive comeback as they recovered from a 0-5 deficit to level the score at 5-5. Rybakina and Garcia then managed to break the serve again to regain the lead, but a series of unforced errors allowed their opponents to force a tie-break.

In the tie-break, Sabalenka and Andreeva found themselves trailing once again but displayed remarkable composure to turn the tables and clinch the women’s doubles set 7-6.

Teenage sensation Andreeva carried her remarkable form into the women’s singles against Rybakina. She broke Rybakina’s second and third serves to gain the upper hand and comfortably close out the set 6-2, extending TSL Hawks’ overall lead to 13-8 in the match.

In the men’s doubles, Game Changers Falcons’ Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov dominated the entire set against TSL Hawks’ Sumit Nagal and Jordan Thompson. They broke Nagal’s serve twice to maintain the lead and sealed the set 6-2. This win narrowed the overall game tally to 14-15, setting the stage for a thrilling men’s singles.

Riding on his form, Rublev held his opening serve to level the overall game tally at 15-15 before winning three consecutive games to take 18-15 lead and put his team firmly in control. While Nagal managed to pull a game back, Rublev closed the men’s singles set 6-1 in a dominant fashion to help his team clinch the title with a 20-16 win, marking a memorable end to World Tennis League Season 3.

Addressing the media in a post-match press conference, Game Changers Falcons Coach and Captain, John-Laffnie de Jager said, “I’ve done team events for a while, and I’ve been very fortunate over the years to have really good people on the team. They get along well, they’re professional, they show up and at the end of the day, they perform. First time we played against the Hawks, we were behind. We came back from that point to win it and the same happened tonight. So, the format is great, because you are never out and always have a chance to win it. It was an awesome campaign for us, and everybody enjoyed it.”

Shapovalov added, “You always look for matches in the off-season, and a team event like the World Tennis League is the perfect way to check where your level is at. It was great to be alongside these players and win the competition.”

Meanwhile, Garcia said, “In tennis it’s not very often you have an opportunity to play in a team set-up, and I really enjoyed it. I had a great time knowing a bit more about everyone in the team and looking forward to more fun next year.”

Rybakina reflected, “It’s always amazing to play in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. I really enjoyed my time at the World Tennis League. Hopefully next year also, it’s going to be the same fun.”

With the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), and Miral, Season 3 of the World Tennis League turned out to be bigger and more exciting than ever. The event featured thrilling world-class tennis action alongside electrifying performances by global artists such as Bryan Adams, Anastacia, and Akon, living upto the event’s true essence of being ‘The Greatest Show on Court!’.

As a trainee reporter and creative lead, I focus on curating engaging content and managing the social media presence for the company. I aim to connect audiences with relevant, impactful news through multiple digital platforms.

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From Messi to Mbappe: World champions set to clash in FIFA Club World Cup 2025

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Get ready for one of the biggest club football tournaments in the world. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is taking place from June 14 to July 13 across 11 cities in the United States, bringing together 32 of the world’s top men’s football clubs in a revamped and supersized format.

The month-long tournament will culminate in a blockbuster final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where one club will lift the title of world champions.

FIFA has confirmed the 32 teams that will compete in the inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 —and it’s loaded with legends.

From Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to Sergio Ramos and Thomas Müller, a total of 26 FIFA World Cup winners will be in action, giving fans across the globe, and especially in the UAE, a reason to tune in.

A Truly Global Tournament

The tournament will bring together 32 of the world’s top club teams, playing 63 matches across 12 venues in 11 host cities, including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Seattle.

In what FIFA is calling the first true “world championship” for clubs, players from 81 countries will take the field, including representatives from all six football confederations and 22 nations that have never before appeared in a FIFA World Cup.

Star Power: World Cup Winners to Watch

The player list reads like a who’s who of modern football:

  • Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) – Likely to feature in the tournament’s opening game vs. Al Ahly on June 14
  • Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
  • Sergio Ramos (CF Monterrey)
  • Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF)
  • Thomas Müller & Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern Munich)
  • Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, Angel Di María, and many more

In fact, Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad is heavily represented, with 13 players taking part. French fans will spot nine stars from their 2018 triumph.

Clubs With the Most Champions

  • Atletico de Madrid leads the way with six World Cup winners
  • CA River Plate follow with four
  • Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain also boast multiple international icons

Why UAE Fans Should Watch

  • Messi’s first game is on June 14, expect major regional TV coverage and streaming
  • Multiple Arab clubs are taking part, including Al Ahly (Egypt) and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
  • A chance to see club giants like Man City, Chelsea, Palmeiras, and Urawa Red Diamonds battle for global supremacy

Squad Rules and Transfers

Clubs submitted 26–35 player squads, and FIFA allowed a special transfer window from June 1 to 10 to reinforce line-ups.

There’s also an in-competition registration period (June 27 – July 3), meaning late squad tweaks are possible.

FIFA President on the Tournament

“This will be the most competitive and inclusive club football tournament ever,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We’ll see some of the best players from every continent fight to become the first club to win both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.”

Key Games

  • Opening match: Saturday, June 14, 2025
  • Final: Expected in mid-July 2025
  • Venues: 11 host cities across the US
  • Broadcasters: UAE TV rights expected to be announced closer to the date

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Kyrgyz Republic stun UAE with last-minute equaliser in AFC Asian Qualifiers

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The Kyrgyz Republic snatched a dramatic stoppage-time goal to hold the UAE to a 1-1 draw in their final Group A clash of the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to 26 on Tuesday night.

Playing at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, the hosts showed relentless spirit as Kai Merk struck in the 95th minute, cancelling out an earlier goal by the UAE’s Harib Abdullah in the 30th minute.

While Kyrgyzstan finishes their campaign with 8 points, the UAE, under newly appointed head coach Cosmin Olaroiu, closes the group stage with 15 points. Olaroiu is still chasing his first win with the national side.

Despite the late setback, the UAE has secured qualification to the next round of AFC play-offs, keeping their hopes alive for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in October.

In the group’s other fixture, Uzbekistan delivered a statement performance, defeating Qatar 3-0 at home. The result saw Uzbekistan top the group with 21 points, while Qatar remained in fourth place on 13 points, also advancing to the play-offs.

Later today, Group A action continues with Iran (20 points) taking on North Korea, who sit at the bottom of the table with just 3 points.

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Ronaldo weeps with joy as Portugal beat Spain in dramatic penalty shootout to lift Nations League trophy

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Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears of joy after scoring his 138th international goal and helping Portugal lift the UEFA Nations League title in a nail-biting final against Spain in Munich.

The epic showdown between the Iberian rivals ended 2-2 after extra time before Portugal edged out Spain 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout, with Alvaro Morata’s miss proving costly and Ruben Neves calmly slotting the winner to send Portuguese fans into raptures.

“Winning for Portugal is always special,” a visibly emotional Ronaldo told the media. “I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It’s tears. It’s duty done. And a lot of joy.”

The final was billed as a clash of generations: 40-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo vs. Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. And while Yamal struggled to shine, the veteran stepped up when it mattered most.

Spain looked set for another title after Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring in the 21st minute. But Portugal hit back just eight minutes later, with Nuno Mendes levelling things up after some slick interplay involving Ronaldo.

Spain regained the lead thanks to a pinpoint pass from Pedri and a composed finish by Mikel Oyarzabal — the same man who netted the winner in last year’s Euro final against England.

But Ronaldo wasn’t done. The Portuguese captain struck again just past the hour mark, pouncing from close range to level the score at 2-2 and send the match into extra time.

Both sides had chances, but the deadlock remained, forcing a penalty shootout. Spain blinked first, with Morata missing his spot-kick, before Ruben Neves sealed it for Portugal.

“Details do make the difference,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. “We were doing enough to avoid penalties, but on the night, they were just slightly more effective.”

Ronaldo, who limped off injured late in extra time, watched the shootout from the sidelines — his face etched with nerves. But when Neves struck the winning penalty, tears streamed down his face in one of the most emotional moments of his glittering career.

Portugal are now champions once again, with their legendary No. 7 right at the heart of it all.

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