UAE manager Paulo Bento has warned his side it would be a “big mistake” to underestimate Asian Cup last-16 opponents Tajikistan, while he would not confirm if Ali Mabkhout is back in contention to feature for the team.
The UAE, semi-finalists in the past two tournaments, take on the cup debutants at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan on Sunday with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Bento’s side qualified for the knockouts by finishing second to Iran in Group C, although they did require goal difference to seal an automatic spot.
Tajikistan, meanwhile, have been one of the stories of the tournament in Qatar. Drawn in Group A with hosts and defending champions Qatar, they secured a place in the last 16 by defeating Lebanon 2-1 on Monday to also take second spot.
However, the UAE still go into the match as favourites, even if Bento was keen on Saturday to play down that tag.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Portuguese said: “Tajikistan are with a good motivation, because in the first time they come [to the tournament], they reach the knockout stage.
“But their motivation should not be higher than our motivation. We reached the first goal in this competition as well – to go to the knockout stage.
“We know that the game will be difficult, a balanced game. And I at least don’t consider our team favourites. We need to do many, many things well in order to go through to the quarter-final.
“And if we think that, because [Tajikistan] are for the first time in the competition, it's a team has less possibilities to win the game than us, we are making a big mistake.
“We should have all the respect for this team, for the way that they play, for what they've reached, and don't think about that kind of things."
Bento added: “We will try to do our best, play as well as possible, and at the same time, correct certain things that we did not do well in the last game.
“We know now there is not space to make too many mistakes because in this phase we don’t have that possibility as we had in the group stage.
“I’m sure that our players are going to show the right attitude and the wish to keep doing well and to go to the quarter-final, playing as well as possible. Because it’s the only way we have to reach our goal.”
A major talking point surrounding the UAE camp thus far has been the exclusion of Mabkhout. The country’s all-time leading goalscorer, winner of the 2015 Golden Boot, was an unused substitute in the opening two matches, with 19-year-old striker Sultan Adil preferred instead.
On Tuesday, in the 2-1 defeat to Iran, Mabkhout was not even in the squad – despite Adil being sidelined with a knee injury. Bento confirmed the teenager, who scored in the win against Hong Kong and the draw with Palestine, would not be available for Tajikistan.
“But now we want more. Everyone wants more. I can’t say to the players, ‘We are now happy, we can go home’. We will look how much petrol we have in the tank, how much energy we have left.”
On Mabkhout’s absence, he said: “Our options, or this case my options, are based on what I think is the best for the team, for each game. On what I have seen during the training sessions, which kind of behaviour the players show every time, on the pitch, outside the pitch.
“And when I collect all the information, I take the final decision.”
Bento’s opposite number, Petar Segrt, is eager for his side to ride the crest of their wave in Qatar, in a campaign that has already exceeded expectation.
Yet he rejected suggestions Tajikistan were content with what they have achieved to this point.
“We are not any more in the group stages, we don’t have to calculate: this game is everything or nothing,” Segrt said. “Maybe we celebrated [qualification] like we won the Asian cup, but for us the group stage was a sensational success."
Asked about galvanising his players one more time, Segrt replied: “We are all in euphoria. The players are flying, and everyone wants to play in this. We are six weeks without our families, without our normal lives, I don’t have to motivate them. They know, they have good character.
“When we celebrate, we celebrate, but we also have to focus on the game. The players and the coaches understand this. I believe in the players 100 per cent; nobody can tell me that they are not the heroes of Tajikistan.
“In the end, the UAE is a strong team, and have a fantastic coach. Both teams can win this game. I see it 50-50, believe me. It is the first time I can say that.”
Segrt, 57, has himself been one of the highlights of the tournament, at every press conference shaking the hands of each member of the media. His interviews are typically entertaining.
“It is not a one-man show,” the Croat said. “This is the reason why I am worried. Normally the UAE must be better than us, but on the field, we will laugh, dream and celebrate.
“But, if not, I will be the first to congratulate and shake the UAE hands. When I smile, it is because of love – we are not the underdog any more, we are the same – but we must take it seriously.
“You must have the right balance. We are not here to smile and celebrate. This is our dream. This is a historical game.”
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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Scores
Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
German plea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the German parliament that. Russia had erected a new wall across Europe.
"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelenskyy told MPs.
Mr Zelenskyy was applauded by MPs in the Bundestag as he addressed Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly.
"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he said, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
