ALSO: Martins: I'll never score an easier goal
Charlie Chaplin was a Birmingham fan and he would have been rooting for them against Arsenal
Carling Cup has enjoyed a renaissance
For one the impatient wait is over; the other must again look back on a once-shared date. As they traversed Wembley Way en route to this League Cup climax, May 2005 stood oddly significant to two storied men of football.
That long past summer, Arsene Wenger laid hands on the FA Cup, the 10th major trophy of a coaching career that claim to have fundamentally changed the face of English football.
Four hundred miles north, Alex McLeish could huddle Scottish Premier League and League Cup trophies together, triumphs six and seven of a managerial path that had taken him from Motherwell a decade previously, through Hibernian, and on to Glasgow Rangers.
Their strategies have been as distinct as their trajectories since then.
Forced into a fundamental rethink of his stewardship by the necessity of Arsenal's stadium move, Wenger remained at his club, placing an unprecedented emphasis on youth and waging a philosophical war for passing football.
McLeish lasted just one more season at Ibrox, his departure and the ill-fated succession of Paul Le Guen announced long before its close.
His next posting was to be with the Scottish national team, where strong words and smart tactics took his side to the cusp European Championship qualification.
The offer of a Premier League job with Birmingham City arrived in November 2007.
There McLeish has survived the usually fatal change of ownership, taking Birmingham to their most elevated League finish in half a century last season, and this first cup final in a decade. The combination of studied pragmatism and thoughtful invention that delivered such success was replicated here.
Though Birmingham have often started with dual centre forwards of late it was no sensible option on the deep, wide spaces of Wembley.
With three goals in his preceding four outings and an unsettling 6ft 8ins presence at set pieces, Nikola Zigic was an obvious starter, but the Serb's chronic lack of pace necessitated some tactical imagination.
McLeish's solution was to anchor his midfield with Barry Ferguson's visionary passing while deploying Lee Bowyer and Craig Gardner as two hard-running central midfielders charged with breaking between the lines into the space beyond Zigic. The dividend should have been immediate.
With less than two minutes on the referee's stopwatch, Zigic directed a knock-down invitingly behind the Arsenal back four, yet far enough out that Wojciech Szczesny had to move far from his goal-line.
Bowyer collected, touched the ball away from the goalkeeper, and waited for the foul.
What would have been a clear penalty followed, only for Birmingham to be denied by an incorrect offside flag against Bowyer. Gael Clichy had played him on by at least two yards.
Arsenal, though, were unsettled, helping Birmingham in the one area where they had a clear advantage in ability. No team has scored a higher percentage of their Premier League goals from dead balls this season than Birmingham; and none conceded a higher percentage than Arsenal. A cleverly designed early corner kick produced another.
McLeish instructed his team to load the six-yard box as Arsenal defenders doubled up on Zigic. Sebastian Larsson then flighted his corner to the back of the penalty area for Roger Johnson to head at goal.
The unexpected line, confused Arsenal's defence, but not Zigic who had already moved towards Johnson, creating the room to twist and flick the ball past Szczesny.
Faced by still more panicked opponents now, Birmingham almost doubled the lead when Gardner was flattened on the edge of the area while moving the ball on to Zigic. This time, Szczesny showed his quality to block.
Wenger's approach to team making is to set a template for his men to play in and wait for intrinsic ability and training ground understanding to take its course. It explains why, deprived of his most important individual in the hamstrung Cesc Fabregas, he chose not to push Jack Wilshere into the Catalan's standard berth behind the centre forward.
Tomas Rosicky played there, retaining Wilshere as one of the joint midfield holders alongside Alex Song.
Wenger's reward was an equaliser when his team badly required it, and one that demonstrated one of their own primary weapons.
With Birmingham pushing bodies forward at final-third free kick, possession broke to Wilshere five yards outside his own penalty area.
Carrying the ball for one end to the other, the teenager exchanged passes with Andrey Arshavin before clattering a shot off the crossbar. The rebound broke back to Arshavin, who crossed for Robin van Persie to throw his body into a volley that was as brave as it was beautiful.
As the second half grew yet more intense, initial substitutions were enforced. Jean Beausejour and Nicklas Bendtner replaced the battered Gardner and Van Persie.
Seeing his team prevailing physically (their stamina and zealous tackling both taking toll), Wenger added another fresh forward as Ben Foster denied him with a succession of saves. McLeish's response was to employ Obafemi Martins as an outlet for his tired defenders and a fleet-footed threat to the opposition's.
Then sheer fortune decided the game. With McLeish preparing to remove the exhausted Zigic, Birmigham's talisman outdid Johan Djourou to a long free kick. Szczesny or Laurent Koscielny could have cleared or gathered; instead they collided in a confused heap, the ball breaking for Martins to rattle into empty net.
McLeish leapt around in ecstasy. Wenger must wait a little longer.
sports@thenational.ae
The five pillars of Islam
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBhuvan%20Bam%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbhuvan.bam22%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%2016.1%20million%3Cbr%3EBhuvan%20Bam%20is%20a%2029-year-old%20comedian%20and%20actor%20from%20Delhi%2C%20who%20started%20out%20with%20YouTube%20channel%2C%20%E2%80%9CBB%20Ki%20Vines%E2%80%9D%20in%202015%2C%20which%20propelled%20the%20social%20media%20star%20into%20the%20limelight%20and%20made%20him%20sought-after%20among%20brands.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EKusha%20Kapila%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fkushakapila%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%203.1%20million%3Cbr%3EKusha%20Kapila%20is%20a%20fashion%20editor%20and%20actress%2C%20who%20has%20collaborated%20with%20brands%20including%20Google.%20She%20focuses%20on%20sharing%20light-hearted%20content%20and%20insights%20into%20her%20life%20as%20a%20rising%20celebrity.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDiipa%20Khosla%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fdiipakhosla%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%201.8%20million%3Cbr%3EDiipa%20Khosla%20started%20out%20as%20a%20social%20media%20manager%20before%20branching%20out%20to%20become%20one%20of%20India's%20biggest%20fashion%20influencers%2C%20with%20collaborations%20including%20MAC%20Cosmetics.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EKomal%20Pandey%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fkomalpandeyofficial%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%201.8%20million%3Cbr%3EKomal%20Pandey%20is%20a%20fashion%20influencer%20who%20has%20partnered%20with%20more%20than%20100%20brands%2C%20including%20Olay%20and%20smartphone%20brand%20Vivo%20India.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENikhil%20Sharma%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fnikkkhil%2F%3Fhl%3Den%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EInstagram%3C%2Fa%3E%20followers%3A%201.4%20million%3Cbr%3ENikhil%20Sharma%20from%20Mumbai%20began%20his%20online%20career%20through%20vlogs%20about%20his%20motorcycle%20trips.%20He%20has%20become%20a%20lifestyle%20influencer%20and%20has%20created%20his%20own%20clothing%20line.%3Cbr%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Hireinfluence%2C%20various%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMaly%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mo%20Ibrahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.6%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2015%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%2C%20planning%20first%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GCC-based%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wednesday's results
Finland 3-0 Armenia
Faroes Islands 1-0 Malta
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Gibraltar 2-3 Georgia
Romania 1-1 Norway
Greece 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy
Switzerland 2-0 Rep of Ireland
Israel 3-1 Latvia
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Company%20profile
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
MADAME%20WEB
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
