The Adnoc Pro League returned on Saturday following the international break, with a number of high-profile new signings debuting and the Bur Dubai derby. We pick out the highlights from Round 4.
Story of the round
Matchday 4 kicked off on Saturday with slick Sharjah maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season. Cosmin Olaroiu’s side ran out 3-0 winners at home to Khorfakkan, with Caio Lucas opening the scoring with a superb long-range effort, Luan Pereira doubling the lead, and Miralem Pjanic rounding off the result.
In the evening’s other early kick off, struggling Baniyas snatched a much-needed point in front of their own fans, when Sasa Ivkovic’s 94th-minute equaliser sealed a 1-1 draw against Al Jazira. Ali Mabkhout thought he had won it for the 2019/20 champions with a penalty with two minutes to spare. The point was even more impressive for Baniyas: they played 50-plus minutes with 10 men following Gaston Suarez’s straight red card. Jazira dropped points for the first time this season.
In the Match of the Week, Al Wasl earned Bur Dubai bragging rights with an excellent 2-1 win at local rivals Al Nasr. The game had almost everything – goals, goals disallowed, missed penalty and a red card – but the visitors emerged victors thanks to a double from Gabriel De Souza.
His Brazilian compatriot, Gilberto, then saw his spot-kick saved brilliantly by Ahmed Shambieh. Toze pulled one back for Nasr with a sublime free-kick, but it wasn’t enough – despite Wasl being reduced to 10 men when Faris Khalil was sent off with 20 minutes remaining. One bright spot for the hosts, though: marquee new signing Adel Taarabt played 93 minutes on debut.
In Saturday’s other late match, Ajman clinched an impressive 3-1 victory at Dibba Al Fujairah. Isam Faiz and Waleed Azaro got the visitors off the mark by the half-hour, before a quickfire response from Joey Sleegers halved the deficit. Azaro bagged his second not long into the second half, giving Ajman a first win of the campaign. Dibba, with one point from four games, still await theirs.
On Sunday, Shabab Al Ahli slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Al Dhafra, when the hosts burst to a 3-0 lead before the hour mark. Leonardo Jardim’s men fought back through goals from Omar Khribin and Yahya Al Ghassani, but it was too little, too late. Shabab Al Ahli’s indifferent start sustains.
However, there was joy, finally, for Al Wahda, with the Abu Dhabi club claiming a first victory of the season, winning 4-0 at Al Bataeh. Faris Juma opened the scoring midway through the first half, with fellow defender Lucas Pimenta doubling the advantage on 76 minutes. The Brazilian grabbed another in stoppage time, before Sebastian Tagliabue fired home a fourth – his 174th goal in the UAE top flight.
Allan, last week’s signing from Everton, debuted. The win was tempered somewhat immediately afterwards, when manager Carlos Carvalhal was forced to fend questions regarding his reported dismissal. Wahda have yet to comment publicly on the Portuguese’s future.
Rounding off the round, champions Al Ain rebounded from a first defeat of the campaign last time out with a comfortable 3-0 triumph against Ittihad Kalba. Goals at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium from Soufiane Rahimi, Kodjo Laba and Caio Canedo got Serhiy Rebrov’s side back on track.
Player of the round: Gabriel De Souza (Al Wasl)
A couple of goals settled the big Dubai derby on Saturday, the first a brilliant finish to conclude a fast counter from Wasl, while the second from range caught off guard Nasr goalkeeper Ahmed Shambieh. Could easily share this week’s plaudits, though, with goalkeeper Khaled Al Senani, who was inspired.
Manager of the round: Juan Antonio Pizzi (Al Wasl)
The week’s marquee match was a gripping affair, with Wasl coming out on top thanks in large part to Pizzi’s tactics. The Argentine set up his team to congest the middle of the park, and the opener on the counter showcased a strategy well worked. Major changes at Wasl this summer, including Pizzi himself, but he has began his tenure well.
Goal of the round: Toze (Al Nasr)
Take your pick this week. There was the Caio Lucas curler from 25 yards against Khorfakkan, a similarly sumptuous strike by Ajman’s Waleed Azaro at Dibba, and the almost carbon copy from Dhafra’s Mohammed Rayhi against Shabab Al Ahli. Yet Toze just about merits it, if only because the Portuguese’s beautifully measured, long-range free-kick in the derby clattered the underside of the crossbar on its way in. Perfection.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte
Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000
Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm
Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
More on animal trafficking
Results
2.30pm: Expo 2020 Dubai – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Barakka, Ray Dawson (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
3.05pm: Now Or Never – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: One Idea, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.40pm: This Is Our Time – Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Perfect Balance, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Visit Expo 2020 – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Kaheall, Richard Mullen, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.50pm: The World In One Place – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1.900m; Winner: Castlebar, Adrie de Vries, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm: Vision – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Al Wasl Plaza – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Jadwal, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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