ABU DHABI // A procession of languages were trotted out yesterday at a rapidly rising Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.
There is a rash of group matches in the Asian Champions League this week, but this particular contest, the game between Al Jazira and Umm Salal of Qatar, was given credence by some of the energised characters that infiltrated the pre-match press conference.
Arabic, Portuguese, French and English speakers all attended, a delectable field of footballing tongues all spouting the language of the global game, but Jazira's redoubtable Brazilian manager Abel Braga continues to protrude at such events.
Braga speaks Portuguese and French, but gets his message across in whichever dialect he deploys. Buoyed by a couple of costly Brazilian jewels in Fernando Baiano, the UAE's top scorer with 18 goals, and Rafael Sobis, Braga has guided Jazira to the higher reaches of the Pro League.
They were tripped up 4-2 by Al Ahli on Friday, but are only a point behind Ivan Hasek's men at the top. The Champions League gives Braga and his compatriots a taste of something different.
"There is not much time between this and our last game, but we will use this to get the mood of the last game out of our system," said Braga. "This is a good thing about football. You can lose in one match, and get back on track quickly in the next."
Braga has a stern type of presence, but sports a pair of jeans on the touchline with as much style as Lee Majors once managed in The Fall Guy.
Braga seems unlikely to be a fall guy any time soon. Newcastle United recently studied Braga's suitability. His lack of English may have discounted him, but he will not go short for work after this exercise in the UAE.
It would not be wrong to say that Braga seems like a coach meant for better things. He was enticed to these parts by a cheque a lot juicier than the Dh2.5million Champions League shirt sponsorship agreement Jazira yesterday announced with the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).
Jazira with a full tank of petrol will be expected to lay waste to a visiting side run by the French coach Gerard Gili. Braga has experienced the highest form of the game coaching Internacional in Brazil and Marseille in France. He is excited by the Asian form of the Champions League.
"It is a different style to Europe and South America, but international matches are important because the team will convey a picture to the world.
"I am preparing our team to paint good picture," he said.
dkane@thenational.ae
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Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5