Karim Benzema marked his Al Ittihad debut with a stunning goal as the Saudi Pro League side opened their Group A account in the 2023 King Salman Cup with a victory over Espernance de Tunis.
The French striker's effort from the edge of the area on 56 minutes nestled into the top corner to give the Saudi Pro League champions a 2-1 win after Abderrazak Hamdallah had cancelled out Oussema Bouguerra's opener.
Reigning Ballon d'Or holder Benzema, 35, is arguably the most high-profile recruit to the Pro League this summer having joined Ittihad from Real Madrid in June on a three-year contract.
Portuguese winger Jota, who joined the Jeddah outfit from Celtic, also made his first start.
Qatar's Al Sadd played out a 0-0 draw against Wydad Cascablanca in Thursday's other Group A match.
New Al Hilal signings Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly were given their bows in a goalless draw against Al Ahli Tripoli in Group b.
Portugal midfielder Neves, who joined from Wolves for a Saudi Pro League transfer record of £47 million, played the full 90 minutes as did and Senegal defender Koulibaly, who switched London for Riyadh after a disappointing season at Chelsea.
Iraq's Al Shutra beat CB Sfaxien 1-0 in the other group match.
Friday's games sees Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in action against fellow Saudi side Al Shabab in Group C.
Nassr drew 1-1 against Uefa Champions League finalists Inter Milan in a pre-season friendly in Osaka on Wednesday.
Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek take on Tunisia's US Monastir while Group D pits CR Belouizdad of Algeria against Morocco's Raja Casablanca and UAE club Al Wahda against Kuwait SC.
It will be Wahda's first match since the death of former club president Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed on Thursday. President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has declared three days of mourning in the Emirates.
Known more widely as the Arab Club Champions Cup, the tournament, in its 30th edition and named this year the King Salman Club Cup as it is hosted in Saudi Arabia.
The top two teams advance to the knockout rounds with the final to by played on August 12.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
