UAE manager Paulo Bento has played down the idea that his team are favourites to win the Arabian Gulf Cup ahead of their Group A clash with Kuwait on Tuesday.
The national team started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Qatar at the Mubarak Al Hamad Stadium in Kuwait on Saturday, while the host's opening match against Oman ended in the same scoreline.
Bento's side went into the tournament in superb form having beaten Kyrgyzstan 3-0 and Qatar 5-0 in successive World Cup qualifiers suggesting that they were in a perfect place to secure the crown for a third time, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2013.
But the Portuguese coach, who took charge of the UAE in July 2023, insisted ahead of the game at Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium that his team will not be affected by the expectations of others.
“There are no favourites in the Gulf Cup. All those here can win this competition and we are just one of them,” Bento said.
“It’s not important that we are favourites or not, and I don't feel any pressure on that. I also can’t control the expectations and the opinions that come from other people.
“It’s true that it's the first time I am in this competition as a coach, but my staff and I bring experience of the World Cup, European Cup, Asian Cup, East Asian Cup.”
Striker Fabio Lima – who scored four goals in November's sensational drubbing of Qatar, including a first-half hat-trick – admitted the UAE missed a “golden opportunity” to defeat the same opposition out in Kuwait.
They dominated the game for large parts, enjoying 61 per cent of the possession while registering 12 shots to Qatar's two, but had to come back from a goal down having fallen behind to a 17th-minute penalty from Akram Afif before Yahya Al Ghassani levelled in first-half injury-time.
Next up will be 10-time champions Kuwait, who took the lead against Oman thanks to a finish from Yousef Nasser – who is fourth on his country's all-time top scorers list with 52 goals in 113 matches – in the 34th minute only for Issam Al Sabhi to level eight minutes later in front of more than 42,000 fans at Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium.
“It’s a difficult match,” said Bento. “So, we try to do the best we can to plan our strategies and allow the players to recover as we have a tight schedule that gives us just 72 hours to prepare for the next game.
“It’s not ideal but that’s what it is. We don’t have control over the scheduling and the rules of the competition. We have to prepare as best we can and get on with the matches.
“We have worked more or less almost for one year in and out and we already have a good understanding as a team and, of course, we will try to take advantage of that.”
The final round of group-stage matches takes place on Friday when the UAE tackle Oman at the Sulaibikhat Stadium while Kuwait are back at Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium to take on Qatar.
The last-four matches both take place on December 30 followed by the final on January 3.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
MO
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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
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
The%20specs
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The five pillars of Islam
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Stats at a glance:
Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)
Number in service: 6
Complement 191 (space for up to 285)
Top speed: over 32 knots
Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles
Length 152.4 m
Displacement: 8,700 tonnes
Beam: 21.2 m
Draught: 7.4 m
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