The champions of Asia will be decided by a new finals phase competition in Jeddah over the next eight days.
Gone are the two-legged, home and away finals of the AFC Champions League Elite’s recent past.
Instead, the quarter-finalists have all congregated in the Saudi port city for a snappy, centralised knockout event, with the final to be played on Saturday, May 3.
Some of the sides – like Riyadh superpower Al Hilal – are perennial contenders, but the three Saudi teams will face some challenges over the coming days.
Al Hilal
Manager: Jorge Jesus
Key player: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
A club with such massive expectations cannot afford to slip up. Fail in this competition, and Jorge Jesus might well be out of a job, despite overseeing a record winning run and a domestic double last season.
Hilal – who are like the Real Madrid of Asia, having won their continental title more times than anyone else – have fallen way short of those standards just lately.
It has parallels to how Madrid have been stuttering in Europe this year, and their respective managers are both said to be on rocky ground.
That is a coincidence, given Jorge Jesus and Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s manager, are understood to be the two contenders to be the next Brazil coach.
Gwangju
Manager: Lee Jung-hyo
Key player: Jasir Asani
As a yo-yo club between South Korea’s top two divisions, Gwanju have been a revelation in their first season playing AFC Champions League football.
They earned their tournament debut by a best-ever K League placing of third last season. Then they promptly thrashed Yokohama F Marinos, last season’s beaten finalists, 7-3 in their first match.
Their method is unrelenting attack, led by their Albanian forward Jasir Asani. He – and his team – may have been little heralded before the start, but with nine goals he is the tournament’s joint-leading scorer.
Al Ahli Saudi
Manager: Matthias Jaissle
Key player: Riyad Mahrez
Off the pace in the Saudi Pro League title race, the Jeddah giants will have their confidence buoyed by the switch to continental competition.
The matches are being played in their backyard, after all, where they enjoy extraordinary home support.
Plus their quarter-final fixture against Buriram United is against the lowest-ranked side left in the tournament. The Thai side finished sixth in the league in the East region.
Ahli will be a threat to anyone, seeing as they boast players like Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, who have 13 goals between them in the competition so far.
Buriram United
Manager: Osmar Loss
Key player: Narubadin Weerawatnodom
No Thai club has more Champions League appearances – nine – than Buriram, and they were title winners back at home last season.
They were sixth of the eight sides who qualified for the knock out phase of the competition in the Eest region, then scrapped out a 1-0 win over Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta'zim in the last 16.
While they may be outsiders for the title – or even to lay a glove on Al Ahli in the last eight – the Thai side do at least lay claim to having the best nickname in the competition. They are known informally as “The Thunder Castle.”
Yokohama F Marinos
Interim manager: Patrick Kisnorbo
Key player: Anderson Lopes
The Japanese side are a total contradiction. Consistent enough to return to the finals phase for a second season running, having been runners-up to Al Ain last year under Harry Kewell, and having topped the league in the East region.
Yet so erratic that they were thrashed 7-3 by Gwangju on the opening day of this season’s competition, while they also sacked manager Steve Holland on the eve of travelling to Jeddah.
Gareth Southgate’s former assistant was dismissed after just four months in charge, having won one of 11 league matches.
Given their form – they are bottom of the J League – they will be outsiders when they face Al Nassr.
Al Nassr
Manager: Stefano Pioli
Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo
No side will attract more attention - mainly, but not only, because of the great Ronaldo. Al Nassr are saturated with talent, with the likes of Sadio Mane, Jhon Duran, Aymeric Laporte and Marcelo Brozovic in their ranks.
They might be too far behind Al Ittihad to mount a challenge for the Saudi Pro League title, but they will be optimistic of taking out a first Champions League title. Especially given they are on the other side of the draw to the other two Saudi giants, Hilal and Ahli.
That does bring with it the possibility they could meet their great rivals, Hilal, in an all-Riyadh final in Jeddah on May 3.
Kawasaki Frontale
Manager: Shigetoshi Hasebe
Key player: Yasuto Wakizaka
No Japanese club has played in the Champions League more times than the Fujistu-owned side. However, this is their 11th appearance in the competition and they are yet to make it as far as the semi-finals.
Their quarter-final tie looks to be the one most weighted in the favour of the side from the East region.
Kawasaki finished second in their league phase, while Al Sadd muddled through in the West then only stumbled unconvincingly through their knockout fixture.
Al Sadd
Manager: Felix Sanchez
Key player: Akram Afif
The two-time champions from Qatar were somewhat lucky to make it this far. Al Wasl, the UAE champions, had more than enough chances to put them out over the course of the two legs in their last 16 meeting.
As a counter to that, Al Sadd showed they are clinical enough to put sides away, even when they are no at their best.
Not least Akram Afif, their outstanding winger who was the difference between them and Al Wasl.
He is among the most gifted attackers in the tournament, and will need to be at his best if they are add to the titles they won in 1989 and 2011.
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
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Envision%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarthik%20Mahadevan%20and%20Karthik%20Kannan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Netherlands%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Technology%2FAssistive%20Technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204impact%2C%20ABN%20Amro%2C%20Impact%20Ventures%20and%20group%20of%20angels%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20BaaS%20ecosystem
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Aggro%20Dr1ft
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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.
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
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
Brief scoreline
Switzerland 0
England 0
Result: England win 6-5 on penalties
Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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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
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
'Midnights'
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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 Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
Sunday's fixtures
- Bournemouth v Southampton, 5.30pm
- Manchester City v West Ham United, 8pm
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
- But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
- Or try to keep the word count down
- Be wary of other embeds lengthy fact boxes could crash into
- That's about it
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Salha%20Al%20Busaidy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20316%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20The%20Dreamwork%20Collective%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Non-oil%20trade
%3Cp%3ENon-oil%20trade%20between%20the%20UAE%20and%20Japan%20grew%20by%2034%20per%20cent%20over%20the%20past%20two%20years%2C%20according%20to%20data%20from%20the%20Federal%20Competitiveness%20and%20Statistics%20Centre.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%2010%20years%2C%20it%20has%20reached%20a%20total%20of%20Dh524.4%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECars%20topped%20the%20list%20of%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20re-exported%20to%20Japan%20in%202022%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh1.3%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJewellery%20and%20ornaments%20amounted%20to%20Dh150%20million%20while%20precious%20metal%20scraps%20amounted%20to%20Dh105%20million.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERaw%20aluminium%20was%20ranked%20first%20among%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20exported%20to%20Japan.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETop%20of%20the%20list%20of%20commodities%20imported%20from%20Japan%20in%202022%20was%20cars%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh20.08%20billion.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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