AL AIN // An added-time penalty from Leonardo Lima salvaged a 1-1 draw for Al Nasr against Al Ain, but the deadlock was not enough for the Dubai side to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Etisalat Cup semi-finals.
The result dropped Al Ain a point behind Al Wahda atop Group A, but they have a game in hand against Al Shaab.
Wahda took their tally to 16 points, having got the better of Dubai 3-2. Nasr climbed to 11 points with one game to play, but cannot escape Group A.
Jires Kembo-Ekoko put Al Ain ahead 10 minutes from time and it looked like it was enough for the Garden City club to book their place in the last four. However, Abdullah Malallah, who came as a late substitute, conceded a penalty by bundling over Nasr's Jamal Ibrahim.
Lima, the Brazilian midfielder, stepped forward to send the spot kick crashing to the corner of the net to leave the Al Ain fans disappointed last night at the Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium.
Cosmin Olaroiu, the Al Ain coach, felt his club squandered an opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals.
"It was a bit sad to concede a goal in added time because we could have completed our qualification to the last-four stage," he said. "I am quite satisfied with the team's performance, though, considering we played without several of our key players" who are with their national teams.
"We made some mistakes but didn't pay for it.
"We deserved to win but that wasn't to be. Had we won, it could have been a morale-boosting result ahead of our President's Cup quarter-finals against Baniyas next week."
Ahmed Shambieh, the Nasr goalkeeper, had an outstanding game. He was in the thick of action and twice denied Mirel Radoi twice with a pair of saves early in the second half.
He pushed the ball over the crossbar off a close-range effort from Radoi and later held on to a powerful low shot from the Romanian. In-between, he did well to pluck the ball from the feet of Alex Brosque, the Australian.
Walter Zenga, the Nasr coach, said his team did all they could to keep their hopes alive in the competition.
"Of course, I am a disappointed now that we are out of this competition but not really disappointed how we played," he said. "We didn't give up in trying to win until the very last second of the game."
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
