Less than a minute into Algeria’s final World Cup qualifier against Uganda, Riyad Mahrez was performing a favourite trick. Pitter-patter steps, a light drop of the shoulder and the quick dart inside his opponent on to his preferred left foot.
Naturally, the Ugandans were wise to it. Two defensive reinforcements swiftly closed in: Mahrez was one man against three. But he has always been a Houdini in tight spaces and so, with a feathery roll of his left sole over the ball, he gained a yard and slipped a short pass to Hicham Boudaoui.
Boudaoui, alas, does not cross the ball as skilfully as Mahrez can. Still, the moment had an ample crowd at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium rising off their seats. They had come ready to cheer, Algeria having booked their place at next summer’s World Cup five days earlier, Mahrez scoring once and setting up two goals in a 3-0 victory over Somalia. “He answered the people who criticise him with a great performance,” said manager Vladimir Petkovic.
Those critics are not small in number, as Petkovic has learnt over the 19 months since he assumed charge of a squad in which the collective memory swings from one great high - the Mahrez-inspired triumph at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations - to some gloomy low points, like successive group-stage eliminations at two Afcons since.
Mahrez has been the frequent vessel of a public desire for radical renewal while Petkovic is perceived, in some quarters, as stubbornly loyal to the older guard.
“The national team shouldn’t be a souvenir museum,” roared the prominent commentator Hafid Derradji when, in September, Algeria’s progress through a straightforward qualifying group briefly hit a bump.
Mahrez has heard worse, especially in the period since he left Manchester City, fresh from gaining a Uefa Champions League title, to join Al Ahli in Jeddah.
He’s been criticised for appearing less lean than he used to, for showing fewer of those zippy changes of gear that characterise his best dribbles. “He knows all about pressures,” noted Petkovic.
The easy counter to the critics is to cite numbers. Mahrez may be 34 years old, he may have dropped a level going from the English Premier League to the Saudi Pro League, where he has spent the past two years, but the statistics speak only of an enduringly decisive player: 31 goals and 40 assists in 88 matches for Al Ahli, who, thanks in large part to Mahrez, are Asia’s current club champions.
Whether Mahrez can again be an African champion at what will be his sixth Afcon starting at the end of this year in Morocco, is moot. But Algeria should have strong support there, and the possibility of new heroes to back.
Petkovic may have been derided for, as one Algerian report took it “choosing the path of non-transition”, yet he is identifying footballers for a post-Mahrez time.
Specifically, that time tends to be the last half-hour of matches. The Algeria captain is usually deemed to be tiring at around the midpoint of second halves, ready to be replaced.
Anis Hadj-Moussa, the 23-year-old Feyenoord winger, came on for Mahrez against Uganda, helping turn a 1-0 deficit into an eventual 2-1 home win, and the increasingly influential Mohamed Amoura was the key man in the turnaround that evening, also signposting the coach’s forward thinking.
Hadj-Moussa is a relative newcomer, having won his first cap under Petkovic last March. Ibrahim Maza made his first competitive start against Uganda, playing just behind the spearhead striker. And, to popular acclaim, there was finally an international debut, for the last few minutes, for Ilan Kebbal, of Paris FC.
All three of those footballers cite Mahrez as a hero, and if Feyenoord’s Hadj-Moussa, more direct in style, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Maza, more playmaker than winger, are not exactly in the Mahrez mould, they can look at the player's legend and imagine that the pitter-patter footsteps that led to his first World Cup has some resonance for them.
Rewind back to 2014, when Algeria last reached a World Cup finals, and Mahrez was an outsider in the squad.
He was 24, but had never played in a top division, his late-flowering career having stretched only from Le Havre in France to Leicester City, who had just won promotion to the English Premier League. The rest is history.
Mahrez would go on to play a lead part in the improbable feat of Leicester winning the English title, and to 106 caps – and counting – for his country.
Echoes there for Maza, who, identified as a prodigy in his mid-teens, had only played two top-division matches in Germany prior to his summer move from Hertha Berlin to Leverkusen.
And for Kebbal, much more the late-flourisher, who had spent all but one season of his nine as a professional outside the upper tier of the club pyramid in France before he inspired Paris FC’s promotion to Ligue 1 last May.
He is 27 now and thriving in the French elite. Paris FC are in the top half of the table, and if they are obliged to live in the shadow of their very near neighbours Paris Saint-Germain, Kebbal more than anybody is establishing their distinct identity. “We’re learning about the demands of the highest level and holding our own,” he said.
More than that in his case. Kebbal has four goals in his seven Ligue 1 matches this season, including a wonderful strike, from distance, having cut in from the right flank on to his left foot at a hostile Olympique Marseille.
It was the sort of goal Mahrez would have been delighted to own and which certainly made an impression on Petkovic, watching from afar.
Kebbal was called up for Algeria days later, to then make his longed-for international bow on Tuesday, with a World Cup clearly on the horizon. “I’m aware there’s a lot of competition for places in my role, with Hadj-Moussa and the legend Riyad Mahrez, but I’ll push for my opportunities,” Kebbal says. “And as long as I’m doing well in Paris, who knows?”
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
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Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
MO
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The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
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.
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO
Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)
Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)
Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
SPECS
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8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
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
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 55')
Man of the Match Allan (Everton)
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
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MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
