Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, right, in action during the AFC Champions League match against Al Wasl in Dubai, UAE on September 30, 2024. Getty
Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, right, in action during the AFC Champions League match against Al Wasl in Dubai, UAE on September 30, 2024. Getty
Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, right, in action during the AFC Champions League match against Al Wasl in Dubai, UAE on September 30, 2024. Getty
Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, right, in action during the AFC Champions League match against Al Wasl in Dubai, UAE on September 30, 2024. Getty

Classy Riyad Mahrez torments Al Wasl as Al Ahli cruise to AFC Champions League win


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

Having once been managed by Diego Maradona, Al Wasl’s supporters well know the value of a cultured left foot.

They saw one of the finest current purveyors of the art up close and personal on an atmospheric night at Zabeel Stadium in their first home game of the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

Unfortunately for the UAE champions, it was to their cost, as Riyad Mahrez put on a masterclass to guide Al Ahli to a 2-0 win.

The result means the touring side from Saudi Arabia have now won their first two matches in the continent’s newly revamped top club competition.

Defeat for Al Wasl, by contrast, was a second in a matter of days, after they also lost out to their great domestic rivals, Al Ain, on Thursday in the UAE Pro League.

At the start of the second half against Al Ahli, the Waslawi – the home club’s supporters – unveiled a banner carrying Maradona’s image and a legend that read: “Diego is a legend, not a charitable act.”

They will never forget the trophyless but story-rich spell the Argentine great had in charge of the club a little over a decade ago.

As attached as he was to the Zabeel-based club, even the Argentine great would have appreciated the show Mahrez put on at his old haunt.

Not all of the most vivid stars that Al Ahli brought with them from Jeddah made it on to the field by the start. Roberto Firmino, the former Liverpool forward who is the club captain, was on the bench.

Still, there was plenty of stardust left over, with the likes of Franck Kessie and Ivan Toney in the away line up. And, like Firmino, it was another who has an English Premier League winners’ medal back at home who opened the scoring.

It took just three minutes for Mahrez to give the travelling support – as well as many neutral viewers, it might be safe to assume – what they wanted.

The Algerian winger was a multiple trophy winner with Leicester City and Manchester City before heading to Saudi last year. Happily, the silky touch of his left foot survived the move.

With the sides still getting the measure of each other, a straight ball down the middle was launched from the Ahli defence.

Mahrez found himself beyond the Al Wasl backline, centrally placed. He deftly controlled the long ball on his laces, then passed it into the corner of Khaled Al Senani’s goal.

Mahrez tormented the beleaguered home goalkeeper for the second, too. From a left-wing corner, he enticed Al Senani into wandering out to try to collect the cross.

Roger Ibanez celebrates with teammates after scoring Al Ahli's second goal against Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League. Photo: Al-Ahli / X
Roger Ibanez celebrates with teammates after scoring Al Ahli's second goal against Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League. Photo: Al-Ahli / X

Instead, it curved beyond the keeper’s reach, and he found himself stranded as Roger Ibanez, one of Al Ahli’s less heralded overseas-born players, soared to head the goal that doubled their advantage.

The home team looked bereft of ideas for how to respond. Milos Milojevic, Al Wasl’s manager, had tried to rally his troops after the loss against Al Ain by saying he did not believe in individual errors, and that any failures of his side fell at his door.

But they must have been testing his patience during their fitful first-half display. Even Fabio De Lima, for a decade now their most assured player, nearly gave away a penalty after some careless play having found himself unusually placed in the right-back channel.

Milojevic had said after the loss in the Garden City at the end of last week that some of his players were struggling for energy and were emotionally sapped after a string of big games.

He also pointed out that football has a short memory and sides are only as good as their last match. So, forget about last season’s domestic league and cup double, and consider the fact back-to-back losses have left them playing catch-up in the chase for glory this time around.

The Serbian coach said “mental endurance” is what players require to become serial – rather than one-off – title winners. As such, it will be intriguing to see how his side bounce back after a challenging four days.

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

 

While you're here
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%20end%20of%20Summer
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'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai, 
HBKU Press 

Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Championship play-offs, second legs:

Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0

(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)

Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')

Derby County 0

(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)

Final

Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE) 

The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

Avatar%20(2009)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

NEW%20PRICING%20SCHEME%20FOR%20APPLE%20MUSIC%2C%20TV%2B%20AND%20ONE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20Music%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20individual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410.99%20(from%20%249.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20family%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2416.99%20(from%20%2414.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EIndividual%20annual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24109%20(from%20%2499)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20TV%2B%3Cbr%3EMonthly%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%246.99%20(from%20%244.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAnnual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2469%20(from%20%2449.99)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20One%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20individual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2416.95%20(from%20%2414.95)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20family%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2422.95%20(from%20%2419.95)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20premier%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2432.95%20(from%20%2429.95)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

360Vuz PROFILE

Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah 
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology 
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million 
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

The biog

First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974  
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

 


 

What is graphene?

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.

It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties. 

 

Takreem Awards winners 2021

Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)

Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)

Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)

Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)

Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)

Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)

Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)

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
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

SPEC%20SHEET
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Updated: October 01, 2024, 5:43 AM`