Henk ten Cate has urged his Al Jazira side to wrap up the Arabian Gulf League title at the first possible opportunity, beginning this weekend against Al Shabab when the leaders can “break the spirits” of their championship rivals.
The capital club stand on the verge of only a second UAE top-flight crown, heading the standings by eight points from champions Al Ahli with four rounds remaining.
Jazira host a struggling Shabab at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday, knowing victory there would mean Ahli must win against fifth-placed Al Wahda the following day. Jazira, though, require only four more points to clinch their first title since 2011.
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Read more
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“It’s going to be an important match for us,” Ten Cate said. “We need four points from the last four games. It’s better to take the three points as quickly as possible. And if we take that on Friday, we need only one point from three games. Besides that, you break the spirits of the other teams, if it’s not broken already regarding the championship.”
Ten Cate did warn his players not to be complacent against a Shabab side in the middle of a run that includes a solitary victory in 14 league matches. The eighth-placed club, who replaced manager Fred Rutten with Miroslav Dukic in January, were heavily beaten the last time they faced Jazira, losing 7-3 at home in early December.
Shabab come into the match on the back of four defeats in their past six matches, and are potentially without their entire foreign quartet for the trip. Midfielders Azizbek Haydarov and Tomas De Vincenti are suspended, while forwards Henrique Luvannor and Nana Poku are doubtful through injury.
“Shabab are a strange team: sometimes they can play fantastic football and sometimes it’s like you’re looking at another team,” Ten Cate said. “So we should not underestimate them — they have some very good players and they have nothing to lose. They are free in their minds and there is no pressure for them.
“In fact, the season is over for them and those opponents are always very dangerous. So it’s going to be difficult. But the spirit in the team is really amazing here, it’s fantastic. Everybody is eager, everybody wants to play.”
Ten Cate said his most difficult decision on Friday will be which players to leave out. Other than long-term injuries to Ahmed Rabea and Salem Ali, and the suspension to Park Jong-woo, the Dutchman has a fully fit squad from which to choose.
“We are ready,” Ten Cate said. “We want to make this dream come true. We want this so much.”
At the other end of the table, bottom side Baniyas face a potentially must-win trip to 12th-placed Kalba on Friday, with Emirates club, who occupy the other relegation spot, away at Sharjah.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
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THE%20SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Price: Dh980,000
On sale: now
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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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
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
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4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The five pillars of Islam
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
