Brazil have been the dominant force of the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in recent years, winning four of the past five events, and the early signs indicate that it is going to take something special to prevent them racking up another title in Tahiti.
They proved too good for Ukraine in their second Group C game yesterday, winning 4-2 to remain unbeaten in two games and all but booking a place in the knockout stages.
With three goals, Bruno Xavier had been the hero of their 4-1 win over Iran on Thursday and he was at the centre of the action against Ukraine, finding the net twice more.
He opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and it looked as if it would be an easy day for Brazil when Bruno added a second.
But the Ukrainians, who lost their opening game to Senegal, got back on level terms through efforts from Oleg Zborovskyi and Volodymyr Hladchenko.
But Xavier struck again to restore the lead for Brazil and the team added a fourth to wrap up the victory.
Brazil could still be eliminated, but they would have to lose their final game to Senegal by a sizeable margin, and see Iran beat Ukraine by a big score to put them out.
Iran put themselves in a strong position to go through with their 5-3 success over Senegal.
Mohammad Ahmadzadeh was the Iranian hero as he scored three times in the first 20 minutes and there was no way back for the Senegalese from there.
Amir Akbari and Farid Boulobashi were also on the scoresheet for Iran, while Ngalla Sylla’s double and Peyman Hosseini’s own goal accounted for Senegal’s tally.
Elsewhere yesterday, defending champions Russia also maintained their perfect record in Group D with a 5-2 win over Ivory Coast.
Alexey Makarov and Dmitrii Shishin both scored twice as they gave their African opponents their second successive loss to effectively eliminate them from the competition, with little chance of reaching the last eight.
Egor Shaykov completed the scoring for the Russians, with Daniel Kouassitchi and Moustapha Sakanoko getting the consolation goals for Ivory Coast. The Russians need only avoid defeat against Paraguay in their final group game tomorrow to reach the last eight.
Paraguay, who had started the event so well, netting 10 times against Ivory Coast in their first game, were brought back to earth with a 3-1 loss to Japan.
The Japanese, who had to win to stay in contention for qualification, rose to the occasion as Hirofumi Oda gave them the lead after 90 seconds.
They never looked back from there, with goals from Ozu Moreira and Teruki Tabata effectively ending the game by the 14th minute.
Paraguay had the last word with a goal from Pedro Moran, but it was little consolation to the South Americans, who must realistically defeat Russia tomorrow to stay in the tournament, with Japan believed to be the heavy favourites to win against Ivory Coast.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,050,000
On sale: now
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
Points tally
1. Australia 52; 2. New Zealand 44; 3. South Africa 36; 4. Sri Lanka 35; 5. UAE 27; 6. India 27; 7. England 26; 8. Singapore 8; 9. Malaysia 3
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
