A few weeks after his appointment as new Saudi Arabia head coach, Italian Roberto Mancini took to the dugout for his first matches, a double-header of friendlies against Costa Rica and South Korea.
The Green Falcons came out on the losing side in both fixtures, but Mancini will have learnt valuable lessons as he looks to fast track the process of building a side that can go far at next year's Asian Cup in Qatar.
Goalkeeper conundrum
Over the past few years, the ball-playing goalkeeper has emerged as one of the biggest tactical shifts in modern football, influencing decisions on recruitment for major clubs as well as national team selection. It was behind Manchester United's decision to sign Andre Onana to replace long-serving David de Gea.
This trend posed an early question of Mancini in his first matches in charge of the Green Falcons.
In Nawaf Al Aqidi, Saudi Arabia possess a promising, modern goalkeeper, who despite being only 23, impressed at Al Nassr when called on to start following an injury to Colombian veteran David Ospina last season. So good were Al Aqidi’s displays that he convinced coach Luis Castro not to invest in a new foreign goalkeeper ahead of the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season.
Al Aqidi was selected to start between the sticks in Mancini’s first match, a 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica – both games were played at St James' Park in Newcastle, England – and his performance over the 90 minutes embodied everything that is both good and bad about him. The young goalkeeper was heavily involved in build-up play and distribution, but not without the odd misplaced pass or uncalculated risk. On one occasion, he had to be rescued by a goal-line clearance from Hassan Tambakti.
Against South Korea, Mancini went for the tried and tested, starting veteran Mohammed Al Owais. The 31-year-old was Saudi Arabia's starting goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and produced some memorable saves. On Tuesday, Al Owais delivered more of the same exceptional goalkeeping, but contributed little with his feet. He was largely able to keep Son Heung-min and company quiet; only a mistake from defender Ali Al Bulayhi allowed Cho Gue-sung to strike the only goal of the night.
Like many managers nowadays, Mancini finds himself faced with the question of whether to stick with a goalkeeper who can make more saves or go for the one who gives him a tactical advantage to help build from the back.
Thinking beyond Al Shahrani
When left-back Yasser Al Shahrani felt the full force of the knee of his onrushing goalkeeper in Saudi Arabia's shock 2-1 win over Argentina at the last World Cup, he was left sidelined for over four months with a facial injury. Many feared the worst, but on Friday, Al Shahrani returned to the international fold for the first time since the incident.
While the sight of Al Shahrani in the green of Saudi Arabia was welcome it also poses more pressing questions. Since making his international debut in 2012, the Al Hilal defender has made the left-back berth his own, winning 75 caps.
It is a remarkable feat given Al Shahrani is not even left-footed, but such is his quality that consecutive Saudi Arabia managers rarely felt the need to make any adjustments.
But with Al Shahrani now 31, the task of finding a long-term replacement on the left side of the Saudi defence falls to Mancini. Al Ittihad’s 27-year-old Ahmed Bamasoud was selected in the squad for both games and came off the bench against Costa Rica and South Korea, while Nasser Al Dawsari, another capable of operating in the role, was preferred in midfield.
Al Wehda’s Zakaria Hawsawi, 22, and Al Shabab’s Moteb Al Harbi, 24, will be some of the options that Mancini is likely to consider over the next few months, but with squads for next year's Asian Cup set to be finalised in December, the Italian must move fast.
Scouting the SPL
The international window came just 10 days after Mancini's appointment, meaning the Italian had little time to learn about the Saudi Pro League or watch games ahead of selecting his squad. As a result, what we saw was a group largely based on the last one picked by previous coach Herve Renard for Qatar 2022, with few changes recommended to Mancini by his staff.
The next time the Green Falcons gather in November, the former Italy boss will have had the opportunity to watch plenty of domestic football, as well as four Saudi clubs competing in the AFC Champions League, offering him better insights into the talent pool available to him.
But in a season in which the SPL has become the centre of the global transfer market with some of the biggest names in football moving to Saudi Arabia and the foreign player quota growing to eight players per team, the task of scouting the best Saudi talents in the league and observing their form over a consistent run of matches becomes a daunting one.
Of the 14 players who started at least one of the two September friendlies, half of them are not guaranteed starters for their club sides, with the likes of Al Owais, Abdullah Al Hamdan and Nasser Al Dawsari spending most of their time on the bench this season. Does Mancini go for the match fit options or choose players based on technical quality regardless of how much playing time they get in the SPL?
Central configuration
The one area of the pitch where Mancini is likely to tinker the most is midfield; both Abdullah Al Khaibari and Mohammed Kanno started both games this week, with the third midfield spot occupied by Ali Hazazi against Costa Rica then Nasser Al Dawsari against South Korea.
Mancini’s options were limited by the simultaneous involvement of the U23 team in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, with the likes of Musaab Al Juwayr and Faisal Al Ghamdi potentially offering additional variety in how he can set-up the side.
Al Khaibari earned plaudits for displays across both games, offering a solid base for the three-man midfield, intercepting passes, making tackles and keeping it simple in terms of his passing range as he helps the team build their attacks. Kanno offers physicality and is a player who can contribute to both phases of play in a box-to-box capacity, while the deep-lying playmaker role is the one for which Mancini will need to spend the most time searching for answers.
Finding firepower
Two players alternated in the starting striker role for Mancini in his first two matches, with new Al Ahli signing Feras Al Buraikan leading the line against Costa Rica and Al Hilal youngster Abdullah Al Hamdan taking the mantle against South Korea.
The two players have completely different interpretations of the role; Al Buraikan drops deep and drifts wide to contribute to build-up play with his combination of technical quality and pace that allows him to move behind defences to receive the return pass. In turn, Al Hamdan is a pressing machine, capable of creating chances by applying pressure on opposition backlines and recovering the ball high up the pitch, while his endless running makes him difficult to deal with for his markers.
What both men have in common, though, is that between them, they were unable to find the back of the net. Saudi Arabia’s sole goal over the 180 minutes came from defender Al Bulayhi. As preparations step up for the Asian Cup, Mancini will need to find an sustainable answer that will enable his side to score goals more regularly.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
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The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
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Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HOW TO WATCH
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Scorecard:
England 458 & 119/1 (51.0 ov)
South Africa 361
England lead by 216 runs with 9 wickets remaining
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The specs
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RESULT
Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
What can victims do?
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Anghami
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Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
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Sector: Entertainment
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Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
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Company%20profile
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