Yahya Al Ghassani's efforts went in vain as the UAE had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their final group game of the Arabian Gulf Cup against Oman on Friday, dashing their hopes of making it to the semi-finals.
Following a dull start to the tournament where Paulo Bento’s side earned a solitary point from two games after a 1-1 draw with Qatar and 2-1 defeat against hosts Kuwait, the UAE had their task cut out as they not only needed a win but required the other match in the group - between Kuwait and Qatar - to go their way as well.
At the start of the game, things began to fall into place for UAE as Shabab Al Ahli star Al Ghassani put the team ahead in the 20th minute.
UAE held the advantage for the next hour and seemed like taking all three points and securing a passage to the next round. But Oman, who only needed a draw from the fixture, hit back in the 80th minute with Abudulrahman Al Mushaifiri scoring the equaliser to dash UAE's hopes.
The UAE had a golden opportunity to win the match outright in added time when they were awarded a penalty. Fabio De Lima went up to the penalty spot with the fate of their tournament hanging in the balance. However, his attempt was kept out by Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini, leaving the Emirati supporters distraught.
UAE ended up in third place in Group A with one defeat and two draws, handing another tough result to Bento, whose team entered the tournament high on confidence. They had beaten Kyrgyzstan 3-0 and Qatar 5-0 in successive World Cup qualifiers to suggest they were well placed to aim for the Gulf title for a third time, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2013.
However, it was not to be, much to the disappointment of the sizeable UAE crowd that had turned up at the Sulaibikhat Stadium in Kuwait.
Still, Al Ghassani emerged as one of the few bright spots for the national team in the tournament; the UAE had fought back from a goal down thanks to Al Ghassani to grab a 1-1 draw against Qatar in their Arabian Gulf Cup opener.
After defeat in the previous game against hosts Kuwait, manager Bento had admitted his team had made the task difficult for themselves. "We are in a situation that we created ourselves in the two games we played and must try to win and then wait for the result of the other game to know our fate,” the Portuguese manager had said on Thursday.
“We are in this situation because of our own faults." As it turned out, the challenge proved too difficult to overcome.
In the other match of the night, Kuwait were held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar. The result was enough for Kuwait to qualify for the semi-finals along with Oman as the top two teams in the group with five points each.
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
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Sole survivors
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
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The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
