Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
Saudi Arabia qualified for their first World Cup since 2006 with a 1-0 victory against Japan at a raucous King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Tuesday.
The West Asians, four-time World Cup participants, sealed second in Group B and the final automatic qualification spot at the expense of Australia, with the Asian champions losing out on goal difference. Australia must now take on Syria next month in the first of what they hope will be a series of play-offs to reach Russia.
Fahad Al Muwallad got the all-important goal for Saudi Arabia against Japan to lift his side to the win. Just after the hour, the winger, a second-half substitute, collected a neat through-ball from Nawaf Al Abed before drilling an unstoppable shot from the angle into the roof of the Japan goal.
Not long before, Al Muwallad had spurned the Saudis’ best opportunity, forcing a fantastic save from Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima when through on goal. However, he would end the encounter as the match winner.
The Saudis were already guaranteed at least a play-off spot courtesy of the UAE's defeat to Iraq in Jordan earlier in the day. They had entered the match third in the standings following Australia's 2-1 triumph at home to Thailand on Tuesday, knowing only a win against Japan would seal the second automatic qualification berth. The Japanese had clinched top spot last Thursday by defeating Australia in the penultimate round of fixtures.
Australia's play-off with Syria takes place across two legs early next month, with the winner then taking on the fourth-placed team from Concacaf in a two-legged tie in November.
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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- 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
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
FIGHT CARD
Sara El Bakkali v Anisha Kadka (Lightweight, female)
Mohammed Adil Al Debi v Moaz Abdelgawad (Bantamweight)
Amir Boureslan v Mahmoud Zanouny (Welterweight)
Abrorbek Madaminbekov v Mohammed Al Katheeri (Featherweight)
Ibrahem Bilal v Emad Arafa (Super featherweight)
Ahmed Abdolaziz v Imad Essassi (Middleweight)
Milena Martinou v Ilham Bourakkadi (Bantamweight, female)
Noureddine El Agouti v Mohamed Mardi (Welterweight)
Nabil Ouach v Ymad Atrous (Middleweight)
Nouredin Samir v Zainalabid Dadachev (Lightweight)
Marlon Ribeiro v Mehdi Oubahammou (Welterweight)
Brad Stanton v Mohamed El Boukhari (Super welterweight
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Brief scores:
Toss: Australia, chose to bat
Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)
Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48
India: 237 (50 ov)
Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
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Rating: 4/5
The specs
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Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
