BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil // Neymar, the Brazil and Barcelona striker, was a diver and the referee should take particular attention to his antics when the five-time world champions face Uruguay in the Confederation Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, Uruguay captain Diego Lugano said.
The striker has a reputation in his homeland for diving and he went down easily to win a free kick, which he curled perfectly into the top corner in Saturday's match against Italy.
"Neymar can feign a foul and so we must be watchful that nobody is fooled by his ability," Lugano told reporters on Tuesday. "Neymar is very lightweight, he can drop to the ground and fool the referee and rivals.
"Brazil is a team that has abandoned the beautiful game, they hit hard and they are very tough physically.
"I have played here and it is perhaps the toughest football in Latin America and it is a tactical system they apply."
Wednesday's match at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte match is one of South America's fiercest rivalries.
Although Brazil have held sway over their much smaller neighbours in recent years the most famous meeting between the teams was won by Uruguay, when they silenced a crowd of 200,000 at the Maracana and lifted the 1950 World Cup.
Brazil have won their three matches so far in the Confederations Cup while Uruguay beat Nigeria and Tahiti but lost to Spain and Lugano said they were favourites though his side would not fear them.
"I think Uruguay's history shows we have been able to fight great matches in difficult situations and we have been lucky to bring ourselves back to the place where we used to be over the last four or five competitions," Lugano said in reference to impressive performances in recent World Cups and Copas America.
"But we have the right to dream of beating Brazil tomorrow. We know it is very difficult and we know they are going through a good period and are playing at home.
"But we have the right to dream and we have the football that allows us to dream."
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Dunki
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
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Torque: 1,000Nm
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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
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3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
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4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
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5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The view from The National
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
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31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
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19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
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MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
