Excitement is building as the World Cup in Qatar gets ever closer to the final whistle. If you’re looking to watch Argentina take on France on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, there's plenty of venues screening will screen the game live, alongside dishing out themed menus, entertainment, contests and activities for children.
Here’s where you can catch the action on December 18.
Emirates Palace fan zone
The grand hotel has a dedicated World Cup fan zone with open-air viewing spots at Oriental Cafe. The match is being screened live on a supersized LED screen, and there's four food chalets and two bars keeping guests satiated. Large groups have the option to customise sharing menus, while those with children can scope out the play zones and face-painting corners.
F&B is served at the fan zone from one hour before kick-off.
1pm-1am; from Dh180; Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road; 02 690 8888
Shangri-La football village
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri's beachfront football fan zone will also show the World Cup final. The open-air venue promises a stadium-like setting with giant screens, pub grub, beachside barbecues and Sunday brunch, as well as match-break quizzes, themed competitions, DJs and stand-up comedy acts. A day pass can be redeemed against two drinks and offers complimentary beach access. There's also happy hour from 1pm to 5pm, with 50 per cent off all beverages.
Match days 1pm-1am; day pass for Dh100, brunch for Dh268; Khor Al Maqta, Qaryat Al Beri; 02 509 8555; restaurantreservations.slad@shangri-la.com
Cooper’s
The quintessential sports bar and pub, Cooper’s at Park Rotana has nearly a dozen screens peppered across its vibrant venue. Catch all the live football action, and in between head to the selfie booth, or participate in games and contests, including a spin-the-wheel challenge and raffle draws.
Cooper’s offers a moreish menu, with options ranging from sausages by the metre and a decadent truffle macaroni cheese to vegan falafel sliders and miso salmon.
Saturday to Wednesday noon-2am, Thursday and Friday noon-3am; a la carte menu; Khalifa Park; 02 657 3325
Glo
The lounge at Rosewood Abu Dhabi has set up a giant inflatable screen next to the swimming pool on its palm-fringed open-air terrace where you can see the match. Glo is offering a light-bites menu with battered fish and chips, chilli nachos, pulled BBQ beef sliders, and sweet and spicy chicken wings. There is a minimum spend of Dh200.
Noon-2am; from Dh200; 02 813 5550
Loca
The vibrant Mexican restaurant and bar promises fiesta vibes for the final with two “mega-large” screens. Loca has put together a football-themed menu, and is still serving its signature guacamole and tacos, which can be enjoyed with a minimum spend of Dh150.
Noon-2am; from Dh150; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; 02 582 3639
Stock Burger Co
The burger joint at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi has put together some delicious deals for the World Cup, as well as a special menu. Sample the Mexican burger and receive eight soft drinks or juices; or order the Team World Cup sharing platter (with sweet potato fries, roasted parsnips, falafel, crab cakes and a trio of dips) and receive six bottles of hops, all for Dh150. Other dishes include the Argentinian Jawbreaker burger and Brazilian stack nachos.
The match can be viewed on eight screens inside or on one giant outdoor projector. Children under 12 eat free and can enjoy activity booklets, while adults can participate in games and contests to win free drinks, dishes and stays at the hotel.
Daily noon-midnight; a la carte menu; Embassies District; 02 657 4864
Vox Cinemas
Vox Cinemas across Abu Dhabi is another places to see the final. Offering a cinematic viewing experience with a state-of-the-art sound system, the cinema will show all the action until the final whistle blows.
Enjoy popcorn as well as a menu of tasty treats, including gourmet burgers, Parmesan truffle fries, hot dogs and Indian street-food options such as onion bhaji, dal vada and samosa.
From Dh59; 600 599 905; uae.voxcinemas.com
Zaatar w Zeit
Late-night revellers can head to Zaatar w Zeit to watch the World Cup live at this popular Lebanese joint.
The chain has erected a massive LED screen at its Abu Dhabi Salam branch (as well as its Barsha Heights, Motor City and Sheikh Zayed Road outposts in Dubai) for football season. Enjoy your fill of halloumi sticks, mighty kafta and the popular Famous Chicken wrap as you catch all the action. A minimum entry of Dh89 is not redeemable on food and beverage.
From Dh89; open 24/7; 600 522 231
Zsa Zsa at Four Seasons
The lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi will show the game live on multiple large screens and has various packages on offer such as happy hour and 30 per cent discount on select cocktails.
Those staying over at the hotel can watch the game from the comfort of their room, with room rates discounted by 20 per cent for the World Cup season.
4pm-1am; a la carte menu; Al Maryah Island; 02 333 2444; www.fourseasons.com
Yas Island
Yas Island's largest outdoor screen at Abu Dhabi fan zone at Yas Links has sold out for the World Cup final. The sprawling arena has made a name for itself in the capital with concerts, an e-gaming zone and food trucks, but it's too late to head there for Sunday's match.
However, a number of other locations across Yas Island will screen the match including Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Siddharta by Buddha-Bar, Cafe del Mar, La Carnita and The Lighthouse, all at Yas Bay Waterfront; Amici Terrace at W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island; The Overlook at The WB Abu Dhabi; and Boroughs, Stars n Bars and Iris, all on Yas Marina.
A massive screen and outdoor seating are also open to the public at Pier71, the 3km boardwalk at Yas Bay.
Various times and prices; www.yasisland.com
Scroll through the gallery below to check out dedicated football fan zones in Dubai
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Listen to Extra Time
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
The view from The National
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle
