Boxer Bektemir Melikuziyev knocked out Karomatullo Sharipov in the second round in Dubai

Sporting managed to defeat Shakhtar with a score of 1-0 in the Champions League competition. This was the first match played by the club after the departure of Rui Borges and before the arrival of Paulo Fonseca as coach.

Uzbek grandmaster Javhohir Sindarov currently holds second place in the international competition Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown 2026, which is taking place in St. Louis, USA. Before the final rounds begin, he shares second place in the standings with American player Fabiano Caruana, trailing Indian player Ramesh Babu Pragnanandhan.

In the tournament, besides Sindarov, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Ramesh Babu Pragnanandhan are participating. After six rounds, Ramesh Babu Pragnanandhan has accumulated 11 points and is leading the table. Sindarov and Caruana have both scored 8.5 points, while Hikaru Nakamura has scored 8 points.

The situation on the second playing day developed differently for all participants. Sindarov lost twice to Pragnanandhan, drew with Caruana, and suffered another defeat against him.

Hikaru Nakamura, who initially led after the first day with four points, also lost his advantage. He drew with Caruana twice, lost twice to Pragnanandhan, and drew twice with Sindarov.

The final matches of the tournament are scheduled for today, October 29th. Since participants receive three points for each win, the current ranking could potentially change. The last playing day will determine whether Javhohir Sindarov can compete for first place and be among the winners.

The total prize fund for the event is 425 thousand dollars. The winner is guaranteed 125 thousand dollars, the second-place participant is entitled to 94 thousand, the third-place holder receives 72 thousand, and the fourth place receives 62 thousand dollars.

The Tehran-based team, Esteghlal, will play against the UAE team, Shabab Al Ahli, in the anticipated AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 match. The game is scheduled for Tuesday at Rashid Stadium in Dubai.

Both teams start the tournament with perfect records, accumulating six points after the first two encounters, which promises an exciting confrontation between two in-form sides.

Shabab Al Ahli has demonstrated a historic start to its continental campaign by winning the first two matches of the tournament. A third consecutive victory would allow the Dubai club to join an exclusive group of UAE teams that have won their first three continental fixtures. Previously, this feat was achieved only by Al Ain FC (in 2003 and 2023/24), Al Wahda FC (in 2007), and Al Jazira Club (in 2012).

The Emirati club will also rely on impressive statistics against Iranian opponents. Shabab Al Ahli remains undefeated in 12 matches against Iranian clubs, securing eight wins and four draws. Their strong run includes a 1-0 victory over Iran's Tractor in the first round of the current season.

Furthermore, Shabab Al Ahli holds a favorable head-to-head record against Esteghlal, having not lost in the previous two meetings in 2017, recording one win and one draw.

Meanwhile, Esteghlal has also begun its Asian campaign very impressively and intends to maintain its winning momentum. The Tehran club has won its first two matches in the tournament for the second time in its history. Esteghlal started strongly, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Qatar's Al Sadd SC, followed by demonstrating resilience in a tight 2-1 match against another Qatari club, Al Gharafa SC.

Given the perfect records and strong attacking form of both teams, the Tuesday match promises to be a highly intense battle, as Esteghlal aims to interrupt Shabab Al Ahli's unbeaten streak against Iranian sides.