The delayed 2021 Asian Champions League group stages get under way – finally – on Wednesday, with three UAE entrants. Here are the details.
Postponed pools
Typically, the Champions League groups kick off in February, but the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic forced a rescheduling. The West Asian section (Groups A-E) begins this week, although the East Asian zone does not start until June or July. Asia’s premier club competition is divided between the East and West zones right up until the final. For the first time, the group stage features 40 clubs – an increase from the traditional 32. The UAE’s three participants comprise Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Sharjah and Al Wahda. Al Ain, the only Emirati winners of the trophy, missed out on the groups by losing a play-off on Saturday against Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan.
Centralised venues
Given travel restriction implemented because of the pandemic, the decision was taken earlier this year to hold each group in one host city. Therefore, Dubai's Shabab Al Ahli will play all their Group A matches in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi side Al Wahda have travelled to Goa for their Group G campaign, and Sharjah stages Group B. All matches span a 16-day period this month. The winners of each group and the three best runners-up from each region advance to the knockouts, entering at the last-16 stage. That phase is slated for September. Teams play their group rivals twice.
Fixtures – West region
Matchday 1 – April 14/15
Matchday 2 – April 17/18
Matchday 3 – April 20/21
Matchday 4 – April 23/24
Matchday 5 – April 26/27
Matchday 6 – April 29/30
Groups featuring UAE clubs:
Group A
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – 1991, 2000 and 2019 winners
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE) – 2015 runners-up
FC Istiklol (Tajikistan) - debutants
FC AGMK (Uzbekistan) - debutants
Venues: King Fahd International Stadium, Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Saudi Arabia
Group B
Sharjah (UAE) – 2004 quarter-finals
FC Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan) – 2003 and 2004 semi-finals
FC Tractor (Iran) – 2016 last 16
Air Force Club (Iraq) – 3 x Group Stages
Venue: Sharjah Stadium, UAE
Group E
FC Goa (India) - debutants
Persepolis (Iran) – 2018 and 2020 runners-up
Al Rayyan (Qatar) – 5 x Group Stages
Al Wahda (UAE) – 2007 semi-finals
Venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, India
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
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Match info
Wolves 0
Arsenal 2 (Saka 43', Lacazette 85')
Man of the match: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
