DUBAI // Cosmin Olaroiu says his Al Ahli players will seize the opportunity to write their name in history when they take on Al Hilal in the second leg of their Asian Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
The Dubai club hold a slight advantage going into the return match at the Rashid Stadium following last month’s 1-1 draw in Riyadh. Rodrigo Lima’s second-half header means a stalemate would seal Ahli’s place in the final on the competition’s away-goal rule and thus ensure they become only the second UAE club after Al Ain to contest the showpiece.
Ahli have never made it this deep into the tournament – they participate in the knockout stages for the first time – while Hilal, twice champions, were finalists as recently as last year.
However, Olaroiu said he has full confidence in his side as they seek to dispatch their vastly experienced opponents.
“At this stage we have only one way: look forward, chest up and go to fight,” the Romanian said. “This is the only way. It doesn’t matter the experience, the quality – when they step on the pitch everything will be forgotten. Hilal have experience, they have quality, they have strong points and weak points. Like all teams.
“But in this moment my players want more than anyone to step up and to play a final. It’s a unique moment in life, we don’t know when it will repeat again, and so it’s a good opportunity. We want to take benefit from this.”
Olaroiu, who has a full squad to choose from, knows Hilal well, having managed the Saudi Arabian club for almost two years from 2007. In that time, he delivered the league title and twice guided his side the Saudi Crown Prince Cup.
Hilal, though, have been weakened by the suspension of centre-back Digao and the club’s decision to drop goalkeeper Khalid Sharhili because of disciplinary issues. Olaroiu insists Hilal still provide a stern examination, though, and emphasised that his knowledge of the Saudis will not represent much of an advantage.
“Everyone has the tendency to believe football is a science or mathematical,” he said. “Football is a show, it is made by artists and in any moment they can improvise, do things that are not expected. That’s why everyone looks for the player with quality, the players who decide by themselves.
“Of course, always you know the opponent, you know how they move, how they will attack, how they will defend. But you don’t know when they will shoot, how they will shoot. This depends on the quality of the players.
“That’s why everyone looks to bring players that they can decide and Hilal have a lot of these. My information, my knowledge of them helps, but it will not be the deciding factor. This is the game for whoever has more psychological power, more strength. They will succeed.”
Olaroiu urged his Ahli side to forget about the first-leg result, while he also called for the match officials to not be affected by the magnitude of the occasion. Earlier this month, the Asian Football Confederation decided to replace Iranian referee Alireza Faghani with Bahraini’s Nawaf Shukralla after Hilal’s officials requested the change.
“Personally, I don’t agree a referee to be changed because this can create a lot of pressure for another one to succeed,” Olaroiu said. “I hope the referee tomorrow has enough personality and he will show his personality to have the right judgment on the pitch and not be pressed by things that happened in the past. Tomorrow will be a big test for this referee.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
