While all the sides at the Fifa Club World Cup are – by dint of the fact they qualified in the first place – champions in their own right, some champions are more equal than others.
Take Sunday’s Group C opener between Bayern Munich and Auckland City FC. The forward line for the German giants will be led by the €95 million England captain Harry Kane, with an array of household name teammates beside him.
By contrast, one of the main goal threats for their opposition is a refugee-turned-car mechanic who commutes 90 minutes each way to get to Auckland City’s twice-weekly training sessions.
That might be an extreme case. Not all disparities are quite so significant, but they do exist elsewhere in the competition, too.
For the UAE’s entrant, Al Ain, the opening two matches in particular, are the stuff of dreams: Juventus and Manchester City.
The prospect of lining up against the gilded names of European football’s elite might be simultaneously thrilling and daunting.
But Al Ain have something to lean on from the past, which shows success is achievable. Beating Juventus? They have been there, done that, got the YouTube footage.
There might be some cyber dust on it. But the grainy clip shows Mohammed Omar, the former UAE captain, rampaging past the Juventus defence and firing a shot past the great Gianluigi Buffon.
It happened in the seventh minute of a mid-season friendly between Al Ain and Juventus in January 2003. And for the remainder of the game, the Marcelo Lippi-coached side of such stars as Pavel Nedved, Alessandro Del Piero, Edgar Davids, David Trezeguet and Antonio Conte could find no way past Al Ain.
That might have predated the involvement of any of the current vintage. But the lessons of history have been passed down to Al Ain’s Class of 2025.
“I think we have an opportunity to win against Juventus,” said Kaku, Al Ain’s Paraguayan playmaker. “Twenty years ago, Al Ain won against Juventus and I hope, again, we can take three points.”
Al Ain’s No 10 says there is no reason for the players to fear what they are going to be faced with when the competition starts. Rather, they should see it as an opportunity.
“When you play against big teams, your motivation is different,” Kaku said.
“The mentality of the team changes, and I think we have opportunities. For me, I have played against Brazil and Argentina, so I don’t have to be scared about Juventus or City. I’m confident in myself.”
It does stand to reason, though, that the players could be starry-eyed. For example, Park Yong-woo, Al Ain’s South Korean midfielder, might conceivably take his autograph book to the City game, given his reverence of Pep Guardiola, the opposition manager.
“I love Guardiola,” Park said. “I love his style, his philosophy. I love all of him.
“Maybe we will play all defenders against them! If we defend very well, then create two or three chances of our own, I believe we can score against them.”
Al Ain are giants of UAE football, and have twice been Asia’s best side. They took several significant scalps on their way to becoming the first Emirati participants in this new event.
Their extraordinary journey to AFC Champions League glory last season included wins over the Al Nassr of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Al Hilal of – the albeit injured – Neymar.
In the final, they demolished a Yokohama F Marinos side who were coached by Harry Kewell, and not so long ago by Ange Postecoglou.
They are no respecters of reputations. In fact, the bigger the names, generally the better they have performed.
“Last season, when we played big games we were different,” Park said.
“Our spirit was different, our attitude was different, and maybe at the Club World Cup we will be different, too. If we show our best, nobody knows what will happen.”
They are going to need to revive the spirit of last season if they are to make a mark in the United States, as this campaign has been deeply troubled.
Vladimir Ivic, who is overseeing their Club World Cup challenge, was Al Ain’s third coach in a campaign in which their Champions League defence faltered without even a whimper.
Hernan Crespo paid for a torrid start to the campaign as he was axed in November. Leonardo Jardim lasted 14 games before departing in February.
Now Ivic has been tasked with raising the misfiring side. They finished fifth in the UAE Pro League, but Ivic was satisfied they have improved on his watch, and suggested they could have been as high as second if refereeing decisions hadn’t counted against them.
“From the moment we started to play after Ramadan, we played good in all the games and we deserved to win the games,” Ivic said.
“It is frustrating. When you work, and you have players who fight, when you lose the game and it is not your fault, it is hard to take.
“I have seen the players adapt. They have had good performances and played good football, and created a lot of chances.”
Ivic has coached in Greece, Israel and Russia, as well as briefly with Watford in England, before he arrived in the UAE.
Such diverse experience will be useful given what lies ahead. The style of play his side will have to employ in the US will likely be a marked difference to how they play usually.
As one of the dominant forces of the Pro League, with an enviable following, Al Ain are expected to be on the front foot, playing attacking football. Trying to do the same against the likes of Juve and City could be folly.
“It is a totally different competition,” Ivic said. “We respect all of our opponents that we will face in our group.
“We will work and do our best to show our best face, and all of the players will be extra motivated.
“It is a World Cup. It is the best teams in the world. We believe we can show our best there and we will fight.”
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
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The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
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
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
MATCH INFO
Norwich City 0 Southampton 3 (Ings 49', Armstrong 54', Redmond 79')
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
Scoreline:
Manchester City 1
Jesus 4'
Brighton 0
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
The biog
Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos
Favourite spice: Cumin
Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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
