Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez praised his players' work rate despite another underwhelming display as they beat Eibar 2-0 last night to close to within six points of Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga.
Gareth Bale’s first Madrid goal in three months, just before half time, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s late penalty got Madrid back to winning ways a week after being humiliated 4-0 at home by Barca.
Benitez hinted that a lack of hard work may have been at the root of Madrid’s inferiority last weekend as he was quick to praise the difference in attitude of his players at the 6,000-capacity Ipurua Stadium.
“A victory like today is a win for the team. A victory thanks to the work of everyone who has participated, including those who came on to lend a hand,” Benitez said.
“The important thing was to get the three points and do so with this spirit of sacrifice.
“The fans know that the most important thing when you have players of this quality is that they also work as they did today. That is the key if we want to continue being strong in the future.”
Barcelona’s sensational form of late, spearheaded by Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, has seen many write off Madrid’s title chances just 13 games into the campaign.
However, Benitez warned that after a run of early season injuries, his side will get stronger as the season wears on.
“We are in November. We have missed a lot of players through injury and the team is recovering players slowly but surely.
“I am still optimistic and think we have a great team to keep fighting in every game until the end.”
Meanwhile, Getafe moved clear of the Primera Division relegation zone after deservedly beating Villarreal 2-0.
Angel Lafita gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half with a powerful finish into the far corner, and early in the second half the forward laid on a pass for Alvaro Vazquez to tap in to an empty net. Villarreal are winless in past three games.
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The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
Dunbar
Edward St Aubyn
Hogarth
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Match info
Manchester United 1
Fred (18')
Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')