After the downpour and the delay, a deluge in the Garden City.
Scrap the extra 24 hours, Al Ain had probably waited a lifetime for this. The UAE club took on Al Hilal’s heavyweight world-record setters in an Asian Champions League semi-final and, thanks primarily to a mesmerising 38 first-half minutes, put their rivals to the sword.
Champions of Asia in 2003, and runners-up twice since, Al Ain are 4-2 up from the first leg and one more remarkable result from another showpiece.
Hilal, record four-time champions and runners-up as recently as last year, must lick wounds and rebound, this initial encounter bent in their opponents’ favour by no shortage of courage and capability.
At Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday night, Hilal were for a large chunk run ragged and rocked to their core, the Saudi side with 34 consecutive victories finally vanquished. That world-record run met an abrupt end.
Soufiane Rahimi struck a hat-trick, Al Ain’s brightest light shining some more, his predatory opener and two converted penalties, taking him way out in front as the tournament’s top scorer. At the same time, it sent the home crowd into raptures.
Of course, 90 minutes and more remain in this still-gripping tie between two of West Asia’s most prominent clubs. But, for now, Al Ain are dreaming of a first continental crown in more than two decades. Halfway to the final, they can finish the first mission, at least, in Riyadh in seven days’ time.
It took them only six minutes on Wednesday to set the wheels in motion. Rahimi latched on to a deflected pass, raced through and slid his shot expertly under Mohammed Al Owais in the Hilal goal. Marking the Moroccan’s ninth goal of a dizzying campaign, it hoisted him out in front of the scoring charts.
Midway through the first half, Rahimi had his second. Sent beyond the Hilal defence on 23 minutes, he was clattered by Al Owais and, following a lengthy VAR check to determine if he had been offside, the in-form frontman coolly drilled home from the spot. Al Ain were rampant, Hilal reeling.
Seven minutes from half-time, Rahimi and the hosts had a third. This time, Erik sped forward from full-back and, advancing into the Hilal area, was scythed down by Ali Al Bulaihi. The Hilal defender, forever a protagonist, pleaded his innocence, the referee was convinced to consult VAR but, after an age, he awarded the penalty.
Again, Rahimi sent Al Owais the wrong way. Having scored three times across two legs of last month’s quarter-final triumph against Hilal’s neighbours Al Nassr, Rahimi required 38 minutes to match it.
Yet Hilal then snatched an apparent lifeline. Not long into the second half, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic sent a low centre from the right into Malcom, who finished from close range. Enjoying a fantastic debut season with Hilal, the Brazilian grabbed the ball and headed straight for the centre circle.
But Al Ain struck back in an instant. Once more, Rahimi was fouled in the area, this time by Kalidou Koulibaly. However, VAR was again called into action, Kaku assumed responsibility. The Paraguayan, who spent time in Saudi Arabia with Al Taawoun, swept his spot-kick into the corner.
To their credit, though, Hilal hit back. There were 12 minutes remaining when Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa saved well from Milinkovic-Savic but couldn’t clear. With the ball loose, Salem Al Dawsari swivelled and turned it home, at the same time dragging Hilal back from the brink.
They still have some way to go. At 4-2 down – Al Dawsari did rattle a post in injury-time – Asian football’s great achievers, brimming more than ever with star talent, are staring down the barrel.
For sure, they cannot be written off. No doubt, Al Ain will need a duplicate display in Riyadh next week. But on a wild Wednesday night in the Garden City, they proved the 24-hour postponement was worth the wait.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
UAE%20SQUAD
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwig%20Solutions%20(with%20trade%20name%20Twig)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChafic%20Idriss%2C%20Karam%20El%20Dik%20and%20Rayan%20Antonios%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ebootstrapped%20(undisclosed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E13%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%20%E2%80%94%20closing%20the%20round%20as%20we%20speak%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20senior%20executives%20from%20the%20GCC%20financial%20services%20industry%20and%20global%20family%20offices%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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.
On racial profiling at airports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
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A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
WITHIN%20SAND
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MADAME%20WEB
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HOW%20TO%20ACTIVATE%20THE%20GEMINI%20SHORTCUT%20ON%20CHROME%20CANARY
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
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Poacher
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Napoleon
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