The mission is clear: to get the UAE to the 2022 World Cup.
Jorge Luis Pinto, the man assigned the task, is an intense 67-year-old Colombian who built his career from a follower to a World Cup hero through an unwavering devotion to football.
The new UAE manager landed in the UAE this week and will take the reins of a national team in fourth place in the Asian second qualifying round, behind Vietnam, but with one match in hand.
Trying to get the UAE to their second World Cup ever, Pinto will assess the needs and facilities, and then take the team to Austria for a training trip. The squad meet tonight in Al Ain for a six-day camp.
It is the fourth national team Pinto leads, and the first time he has taken an assignment outside of Latin America. His calling card: leading Costa Rica from Brazil 2014 World Cup underdogs to head a group including Italy, England and Uruguay. They only went out in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout against the Netherlands.
Pinto's reputation may now be international, but the Emirates are new horizons for the Colombian from the Santander region.
"I imagine a modern country, where religion is important; a peaceful place, with commitment, discipline," he said just before arriving. "Everybody now knows about the Emirates and its great economy and culture. A leader in technology with a culture of winning.
"All they need is to take the next step in football, to be a protagonist, and show their quality on the world stage in football, make a mark and be seen around the world. I think they will see the results on the field, as I will."
During the pandemic, Pinto watched UAE's qualifying matches, adding, "I like what I see in the players. A technical team, that's missing a couple of details.
"One advantage is the players all play locally. They treat the ball well and I liked that. The [Gulf] is a different culture, a different country. But the tactical aspects of the game are the same, and allows me to dream of doing great work."
The man taking over The Whites is known as a strict disciplinarian with thorough preparation, who seeks to right the ship until reaching Qatar 2022. He takes over from Ivan Jovanovic, who was dismissed in April without taking charge of a match after being hired to replace Dutchman Bert van Marwik, "They will adapt quickly, as will I," he says.
"The [federation] have told me whatever I need will be provided. I told them we will undertake a scientific preparation, from physiology to methodology. As a coach I need to judge players well. Then, I have to prepare myself so we can prepare a team. And have leadership. But when players realise that their coach knows what he's doing, they progress. Some will like it, some won't."
After a triumphant return to Costa Rica in 2014, Pinto did not continue in his role, he says, because their federation did not live up to their agreement.
"After the World Cup draw, we talked about performance bonuses in Brazil 2014. I put numbers on paper, all the way to a World Cup final. They laughed then, but we were one penalty away from reaching the semis. So it wasn't unrealistic."
Among coaches, Pinto admired Rinus Michels of the Netherlands, Ukraine's Valeri Lobanovski, Ernst Happel of Austria and England's Bobby Robson. His mentors were Gabriel Ochoa Uribe of Colombia and Brazil's Ayrton Brandao.
He travelled to watch and learn, and recalls how he spent 45 days in Kiev observing Lobanovski's methods after seeing his Dynamo Kiev team and the USSR impress in Mexico 86.
Travelling on his own money, Pinto was also at Italia 90, when UAE played Colombia, losing 2-0. "Of course I saw it. I was in the stadium," he said.
"It was historic for the UAE. They were the best from the region. I think those experiences have to be in the memory, and I hope this generation can repeat."
Pinto likes a hybrid style of football: the talent and skill of South Americans, the tactical acumen of Italy, the running of Germans, and the aggressiveness of the English. However, the rigid discipline and physical preparation requires sacrifice and focus from players.
His tactical concepts are not rocket science. But when applied correctly, they have yielded results: playing out of the back, pressing as a block to recover the ball. Pinto's favourite tactical formation is a 5-4-1, which he says was first used in the World Cup by Costa Rica in 2014.
The system - apart from requiring wing backs that attack and defend - requires players with the versatility of performing in three different positions according to the match situations.
Present at World Cups since 1978, Pinto watches formations not apparent on TV, mixes with managers and peppers them with questions.
The Colombian has had repeated run-ins with the press and detractors, but considers group cohesion important.
"I think I am honest and fair in my decisions," he says. "They can think whatever they want of me, but I don't play favourites. I'm not doing anybody favours and won't be pressured by outsiders. You are my players, and I will make decisions with my players in mind, and nobody else."
In a recent interview on Colombian radio, Pinto revealed that the only Tico players that did not adapt to his discipline were Bryan Ruiz and Keylor Navas.
Ruiz, former Sporting Lisbon and Fulham midfielder, at times clashed with Pinto, but said, "When it comes to tactics, Pinto is the best I've worked with."
"Sometimes people get the wrong idea and think I'm unreasonably demanding," Pinto adds. "Maybe, but most players thank me. That has touched me and reinforces my coaching philosophy.
"But there's a reason I want something at a certain moment from a player. Some may not like the workload. That's normal in businesses, or groups. Football players know right away if they can fool a coach."
If the objective is to get a team to perform, Pinto may be the man. His last role was with Colombian club Millonarios, and before that with Honduras, who fell short of reaching Russia 2018 after losing a two-leg playoff to Australia. He also managed the Colombia national team in a long career.
Now, his optimism is palpable.
"I'm in the best momento of my career. My life experience, all I've seen and learnt. We change and correct things, especially if you're a thinker. The most important thing is the fundamentals."
Available to Pinto will be the naturalised players Sebastian Tagliabue, and Brazilians Caio Canedo and Fabio De Lima. "Even the powers of the sport [naturalise] - Italy, Spain, Portugal," he notes. "If you want to win, and qualify, it's something one has to take into account if it helps."
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The%20team
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Monday Fiorentina v Genoa (11.45pm)
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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)
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
THREE
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Company%20profile
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Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
Company%20profile
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The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
Jawan
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Paltan
Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
Rating: 2/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
