• HOW PORTUGAL QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group A) March 24, 2021. Portugal 1 (Medvedev og 36') Azerbaijan 0. The then reigning European champions begun their World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow win but it was a frustrating night for Portugal, who had 29 attempts on goal but needed an own goal to seal the points. Portugal manager Fernando Santos said: "We had some difficulties, some problems, it's undeniable. In the second half, the team lacked inspiration and fluidity." AFP
    HOW PORTUGAL QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CUP 2022: (Group A) March 24, 2021. Portugal 1 (Medvedev og 36') Azerbaijan 0. The then reigning European champions begun their World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow win but it was a frustrating night for Portugal, who had 29 attempts on goal but needed an own goal to seal the points. Portugal manager Fernando Santos said: "We had some difficulties, some problems, it's undeniable. In the second half, the team lacked inspiration and fluidity." AFP
  • Match 27, 2021. Serbia 2 (Mitrovic 46', Kostic 60') Portugal 2 (Jota 11', 36'): Cristiano Ronaldo was denied an injury-time winner in Belgrade when his shot was ruled not to have crossed the line - and there was no goalline technology available for the match. Santos said: "The referee apologised to me straight after the game and we now have to move on. It was a clear goal but there is nothing we can do now. We controlled the first half but lost our focus in the second." EPA
    Match 27, 2021. Serbia 2 (Mitrovic 46', Kostic 60') Portugal 2 (Jota 11', 36'): Cristiano Ronaldo was denied an injury-time winner in Belgrade when his shot was ruled not to have crossed the line - and there was no goalline technology available for the match. Santos said: "The referee apologised to me straight after the game and we now have to move on. It was a clear goal but there is nothing we can do now. We controlled the first half but lost our focus in the second." EPA
  • March 30, 2021. Luxembourg 1 (Rodrigues 30') Portugal 3 (Jota 45+2', Ronaldo 51', Palinha 80'): A Gerson Rodrigues header put Luxembourg into a shock first-half lead but Portugal recovered to secure victory but failed to convince against a team that had won away to Republic of Ireland three days earlier. Santos said: "We started really slow. We spent 30 minutes playing like it was a friendly game, with no intensity. The technical quality is not enough, I told the players that." AFP
    March 30, 2021. Luxembourg 1 (Rodrigues 30') Portugal 3 (Jota 45+2', Ronaldo 51', Palinha 80'): A Gerson Rodrigues header put Luxembourg into a shock first-half lead but Portugal recovered to secure victory but failed to convince against a team that had won away to Republic of Ireland three days earlier. Santos said: "We started really slow. We spent 30 minutes playing like it was a friendly game, with no intensity. The technical quality is not enough, I told the players that." AFP
  • September 1, 2021. Portugal 2 (Ronaldo 89', 90'+6') Republic of Ireland 1 (Egan 45'): A last-gasp headed double from Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Portugal from a shock home defeat - and took the veteran striker past Ali Daei's record tally of 109 international goals. Ronaldo also missed a penalty in the first half. He said: "I'm so happy, not just because I beat the record, but for the special moment that we had. I have to appreciate what the team did, we believed until the end. I'm so glad." EPA
    September 1, 2021. Portugal 2 (Ronaldo 89', 90'+6') Republic of Ireland 1 (Egan 45'): A last-gasp headed double from Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Portugal from a shock home defeat - and took the veteran striker past Ali Daei's record tally of 109 international goals. Ronaldo also missed a penalty in the first half. He said: "I'm so happy, not just because I beat the record, but for the special moment that we had. I have to appreciate what the team did, we believed until the end. I'm so glad." EPA
  • September 7, 2021. Azerbaijan 0 Portugal 3 (B Silva 26', A Silva 31', Jota 75'): Ronaldo was suspended for the comfertable win in Baku that took Portual top of of the group after Serbia drew with Ireland. Late in the game, fans invaded the pitch and took photos with Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Santos said: “We could have scored more goals, we created several chances. If we had been more efficient in front of the goal, the score would have been even better.” EPA
    September 7, 2021. Azerbaijan 0 Portugal 3 (B Silva 26', A Silva 31', Jota 75'): Ronaldo was suspended for the comfertable win in Baku that took Portual top of of the group after Serbia drew with Ireland. Late in the game, fans invaded the pitch and took photos with Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Santos said: “We could have scored more goals, we created several chances. If we had been more efficient in front of the goal, the score would have been even better.” EPA
  • October 12, 2021. Portugal 5 (Ronaldo pen 8', pen 13', 87', Fernandes 17', Palhinha 69') Luxembourg 0: Ronaldo scored his 58th hat-trick for club and country, taking his international tally to 115 goals, to leave Portugal a point behind group leaders Serbia who had played a game more. Santos said: "We knew that Luxembourg, as time went by, would close themselves back and we had to start strong. That's what we did. I think we had a complete game overall and the most important thing was the result." AFP
    October 12, 2021. Portugal 5 (Ronaldo pen 8', pen 13', 87', Fernandes 17', Palhinha 69') Luxembourg 0: Ronaldo scored his 58th hat-trick for club and country, taking his international tally to 115 goals, to leave Portugal a point behind group leaders Serbia who had played a game more. Santos said: "We knew that Luxembourg, as time went by, would close themselves back and we had to start strong. That's what we did. I think we had a complete game overall and the most important thing was the result." AFP
  • November 11, 2021. Ireland 0 Portugal 0: A below-par performance from Portugal, who had Pepe sent off late on for two bookable offences, ahead of their crunch clash with Serbia. Portugal rested Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Diogo Jota in Dublin. Santos said: “Am I happy with the result? Naturally. In terms of our position, winning 5-0 or drawing here was the same thing. Of course I’d prefer to win 5-0, but it’s a positive result. Serbia has to play in our stadium to win. I’m convinced we’ll qualify.”
    November 11, 2021. Ireland 0 Portugal 0: A below-par performance from Portugal, who had Pepe sent off late on for two bookable offences, ahead of their crunch clash with Serbia. Portugal rested Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Diogo Jota in Dublin. Santos said: “Am I happy with the result? Naturally. In terms of our position, winning 5-0 or drawing here was the same thing. Of course I’d prefer to win 5-0, but it’s a positive result. Serbia has to play in our stadium to win. I’m convinced we’ll qualify.”
  • November 14, 2021. Portugal 1 (Sanches 2') Serbia 2 (Tadic 33', Mitrovic 90'). Needling only a draw to qualify, Portugal were condemded to the play-offs after Aleksandar Mitrovic's late winner. The result ended Portugal's unbroken winning run in home World Cup qualifiers which had stretched back to October 2013. Santos said: “We have to apologise. The Portuguese people are disappointed, but they are not more disappointed than us. But my team will be at the World Cup in Qatar, that is a guarantee." Reuters
    November 14, 2021. Portugal 1 (Sanches 2') Serbia 2 (Tadic 33', Mitrovic 90'). Needling only a draw to qualify, Portugal were condemded to the play-offs after Aleksandar Mitrovic's late winner. The result ended Portugal's unbroken winning run in home World Cup qualifiers which had stretched back to October 2013. Santos said: “We have to apologise. The Portuguese people are disappointed, but they are not more disappointed than us. But my team will be at the World Cup in Qatar, that is a guarantee." Reuters
  • (World Cup play-off semi-final) March 24, 2022. Portugal 3 (Otavio 15'), Jota 42', Nunes 90'+) Turkey 1 (Yilmaz 65'): Only North Macedonia stood between Portugal and the Qatar finals after Turkey were beaten in Porto. The visitors could have made life very nervy for Portugal, though, had Burak Yilmaz not missed a second-half penalty. Santos said: "These games are finals. Finals are always complicated. We won the first one and now we have to win the second. That's what we're going to focus on." Getty
    (World Cup play-off semi-final) March 24, 2022. Portugal 3 (Otavio 15'), Jota 42', Nunes 90'+) Turkey 1 (Yilmaz 65'): Only North Macedonia stood between Portugal and the Qatar finals after Turkey were beaten in Porto. The visitors could have made life very nervy for Portugal, though, had Burak Yilmaz not missed a second-half penalty. Santos said: "These games are finals. Finals are always complicated. We won the first one and now we have to win the second. That's what we're going to focus on." Getty
  • (World Cup play-off final) March 29, 2022. Portugal 2 (Fernandes 32', 65') North Macedonia 0: A brace from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes booked Portugal's spot in the finals against a team that had beaten European champions Italy in their previous match. Santos said: "It was a deserved and fair victory. We created opportunities to score and I don't remember any great goalscoring situations for them. We are in the World Cup with full merit."
    (World Cup play-off final) March 29, 2022. Portugal 2 (Fernandes 32', 65') North Macedonia 0: A brace from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes booked Portugal's spot in the finals against a team that had beaten European champions Italy in their previous match. Santos said: "It was a deserved and fair victory. We created opportunities to score and I don't remember any great goalscoring situations for them. We are in the World Cup with full merit."

Road to Qatar: how Portugal qualified for World Cup 2022 - in pictures


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Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal secured their spot in the Qatar World Cup finals – but they had to do it the hard way after falling short in the group stage.

Portugal finished second in Group A after they lost at home to Serbia in their final game to finish three points behind their opponents

That meant Fernando Santos' team had negotiate their way through the play-offs, which they did after victories over Turkey and North Macedonia.

The qualifying campaign will also be remembered for Cristiano Ronaldo breaking the record for scoring the most international goals, overtaking Ali Daei of Iran's tally of 109.

The veteran Manchester United striker scored six times in qualifying. He has 117 international goals.

In Qatar, Portugal have been drawn in Group H along with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.

In the gallery above, you can see how Portugal qualified for the finals that kick-off on November 20. To view the next image, click on the arrows or just swipe if on a mobile device.

Portugal's fixtures in Qatar 2022

November 24 Portugal v Ghana – Stadium 974 (8pm KO UAE)

November 28 Portugal v Uruguay – Lusail Stadium (11pm)

December 2 South Korea v Portugal – Education City Stadium (7pm)

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Grand Slam Los Angeles results

Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos

Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha

The BIO:

He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal

He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side

By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam

Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border

He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push

His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Top%2010%20most%20competitive%20economies
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The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

NEW%20PRICING%20SCHEME%20FOR%20APPLE%20MUSIC%2C%20TV%2B%20AND%20ONE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20Music%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20individual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410.99%20(from%20%249.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20family%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2416.99%20(from%20%2414.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EIndividual%20annual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24109%20(from%20%2499)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20TV%2B%3Cbr%3EMonthly%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%246.99%20(from%20%244.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAnnual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2469%20(from%20%2449.99)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20One%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20individual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2416.95%20(from%20%2414.95)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20family%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2422.95%20(from%20%2419.95)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20premier%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2432.95%20(from%20%2429.95)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Updated: June 22, 2023, 11:25 AM