Asia will crown first-time winners of its elite AFC Champions League competition on Saturday when Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli take on Japan's Kawasaki Frontale.
With the final rounds of this season's competition all being played in Jeddah, Al Ahli can expect a significant home advantage, roared on by thousands of screaming fans at their King Abdullah Sports City stadium.
While the expected final between Al Hilal and Al Nassr never materialised, it will nonetheless be a showpiece occasion where history is made.
And it might not be the only piece written.
Of those lining up to play Saturday's final, two Al Ahli players also stand on the brink of writing their own names into football lore.
Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez could become the first players to win both the European and Asian versions of the Champions League.
Firmino, who set Ahli on their way to a 3-0 victory over Al Hilal in their semi-final win in midweek, collected a Uefa Champions League medal as part of Liverpool's team that beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the 2019 European Cup final.
As part of a star-studded front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Firmino was the focal point for Jurgen Klopp's attack-minded side that also win the Premier League title a year later.
After eight trophy-filled years at Anfield in which his 82 Premier League goals marked him down as the highest scoring Brazilian in the division's history, Firmino joined Al Ahli on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, signing a three-year contract.
Mahrez, meanwhile, was part of Manchester City's all-conquering squad of 2023 when Pep Guardiola's side beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Uefa Champions League final. City would also win the Premier League and FA Cup that season to complete the treble.
The Algerian winger, who was an integral part to Leicester City's fairytale title triumph in 2016, also joined Jeddah giants Al Ahli in 2023 for a transfer fee of £30 million.
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule
12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)
2pm Formula One final practice
5pm Formula One qualifying
6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)
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Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
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
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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Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
