Ain strike high octave notes

DUBAI // The Al Ain coach Winfried Schaefer saluted his team after their crushing win over Dibba Al Fujairah in the opening round of the President's Cup. Al Ain, the league leaders and only unbeaten side of the season, showed their power, decimating their Division One rivals 8-0 to book a second-round clash against Al Fujairah, who knocked out Ajman 3-2.

The floodgates opened when Abdullah Ali conceded an own-goal in the fourth minute. Andre Dias then struck a hat-trick for the four-time President's Cup winners, Jorge Valdivia scored twice, while Saif Mohammed and Salem Abdulla had a goal apiece. "These matches are never easy," said coach Schaefer. "Al Shaab and Ajman have been knocked out by lower division sides and Al Wahda had a scare too. "These lower division sides have nothing to lose and they come out at you with everything they have. Technique, class and form count for little in such games, because the smaller teams are out to prove a point.

"This is the only tournament where they get a chance to play against the top sides, and they try to make the most of it. "So I am happy with our performance, but I want the boys to show the same level in the league games and win every competition this season." While Al Ain waltzed through the first round, their Abu Dhabi rivals Al Wahda were lucky to avoid a first-round exit with a battling 4-3 extra-time win over Hatta on Thursday night at Al Wasl.

The match came alive towards the end, with a flurry of goals and fortunes swung wildly. Four goals were scored in the final 17 minutes of regulation time, and three more came in extra-time. Saeed Mubarak put Hatta ahead in the 73rd minute, but substitute Mohammed al Shehi equalised seven minutes later and Mohammed Othman struck the second for Wahda in the 84th minute. Mubarak, however, scored his second of the game four minutes later to push the game into extra-time.

Mubarak was the architect of the third goal as well, floating over the defence for Leonardo to score in the 11th minute of extra-time. Andre Pinga, however, kept Wahda's hopes alive with a header seconds before the change of ends and Abdulraheem Jumaa then sealed the game with a deft volley from the top of the box in the 107th minute, which booked a second- round clash with Dibba al Husn. "It is not the first surprise, and it will not be the last," said the Wahda coach Ahmed Abdulhaleem. "Such matches are always difficult; just because you are playing a first division side, it doesn't mean the outcome is guaranteed.

"It is not going to be a picnic for you, because anything is possible on the pitch. The game showed that the smaller teams are capable of knocking out the bigger sides, and I am glad we have avoided that fate. arizvi@thenational.ae

Name: Colm McLoughlin

Country: Galway, Ireland

Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free

Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah

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The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo

Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm

Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km

On sale: December

Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A

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BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Kumulus Water

Started: 2021

Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid

Based: Tunisia

Sector: Water technology

Number of staff: 22

Investment raised: $4 million

What is Reform?

Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.

GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD

The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27

50-man Royal Rumble

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Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns

Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev

Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy

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Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

Singles match
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To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced

COMPANY%20PROFILE

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PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani