Al Hilal clinched the Saudi Super Cup on Thursday with a 4-1 win over rivals Al Ittihad in Abu Dhabi, extending their sequence of matches won to an incredible 34 games.
Brazilian forward Malcom scored twice with Salem Al Dawsari and namesake Nasser Al Dawsari also on target as Hilal clinched the first of what could be four trophies this season.
The Riyadh giants are the runaway leaders in the Saudi Pro League and are on track for a record-extending fifth Asian Champions League title with a semi-final double-header – the first leg is next Tuesday – against UAE club Al Ain to come. They meet Ittihad again for a place in the Saudi King Cup at the end of the month.
“It was a difficult game and I am very happy to score two goals,” Malcom told Saudi television following Thursday's Saudi Super Cup success. “We are also happy to collect our first title of the season but we are chasing more trophies.”
Here are the 10 longest winning streaks in football history.
1. Al Hilal 2023/24 (34 matches)
One of four Saudi clubs boosted by the financial backing of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Hilal have certainly made the most of their improved squad. The Riyadh side are running away with the Saudi Pro League, winning 25 and drawing two of their games so far, while also making smooth progress in the Asian Champions League where they will battle Al Ain over two legs for a place in the final.
Former Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic – one of nine signings last summer – has been banging in the goals, and the likes of Brazilian winger Malcom, Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves and Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have all adapted quickly to the team. Reigning Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari also continues to be a key player.
And to think Hilal have achieved this record mainly without star man Neymar, who has been out injured since November.
2. The New Saints FC 2016/17 (27 matches)
The previous owner of the record was not a traditional giant by any means but the dominant team of the Cymru Premier League. Welsh side The New Saints put together their run of 27 straight wins during a 2016/17 season when they won the domestic treble of league, Welsh Cup, and Welsh League Cup.
The New Saints have again wrapped up the league title this season - a record-extending 16th - and another League Cup, while they are in the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup. Something suggests they might go on and do the treble again.
3. Ajax 1971/72 (26 matches)
The holder of the record for 44 years, Ajax's historic run set up the Dutch giants to win the Dutch league, Dutch Cup and European Cup treble.
Led by talismanic forward Johann Cruyff, who scored 33 goals in all competitions that season, and including the likes of midfielder Johan Neeskens, winger Piet Keizer and forward Dick van Dijk, Ajax blew away all rivals both domestically and on the continent, winning the Eredivisie by nine points and beating Inter Milan in the European Cup final.
4. Ajax 1994-95 (25 matches)
Regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time, an Ajax side comprising the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Frank de Boer, Edgar Davids, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Jari Litmanen and Patrick Kluivert came close to breaking their predecessors' record in 1994/95.
The Amsterdam giants secured the Eredivisie title and won their fourth, and most recent, European Cup with a 1-0 final victory over AC Milan. Litmanen top-scored for Louis van Gaal's side with 27 goals in all competitions.
5. Coritiba 2011 (24 matches)
The holder of the South American record, Coritiba's 24-match winning run in 2011 saw the Brazilian side win the Campeonato Paranaense which included a perfect 11 victories in the second stage to win the title. The streak also saw Coritiba clinch the Copa do Brasil.
6. Bayern Munich 2019/20 (23 matches)
One of the most dominant seasons of recent times, Bayern were unstoppable in 2019/20, especially from February onwards. They won their last 13 Bundesliga games to win the title by 13 points and won all 11 games in the Champions League on their way to the treble.
Polish striker Robert Lewandowski was the star of the season, scoring 55 goals in all competitions – 34 in the Bundesliga and 15 in the Champions League.
7. Real Madrid 2014/15 (22 matches)
Real Madrid achieved the seventh-longest win streak in football history yet only had the Fifa Club World Cup trophy to show for their efforts. Carlo Ancelotti's side hit their stride between September and mid-December of the 2014/15 season with 12 successive La Liga wins, six straight in the Champions League and two to win the Club World Cup.
But Madrid would finish runners-up to Barcelona in La Liga, lose to Juventus in the Champions League semi-finals and be eliminated from the Copa del Rey last 16 by city rivals Atletico Madrid.
8. Manchester City 2020/21 (21 matches)
One of many exemplary seasons during the Pep Guardiola era, City's 21-match winning run took place between mid-December and the start of March, taking in 15 Premier League wins and a string of victories in the League Cup, Champions League and FA Cup.
City would win the Premier League - the first in their current run of three straight titles - and the League Cup, but were defeated by Chelsea in both the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League final.
9= Manchester City 2017/18 (18 matches)
Guardiola's first Premier League title as City manager came in 2017/18, which was built on an 18-match winning run early in the season on the way to a 100-point league campaign. Guardiola's first City trophy was also secured this season with the League Cup.
9= Liverpool 2019/20 (18 matches)
Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a league title in 2019/20 following a remarkable start to the season, with an 18-match winning run from October 27 to February 24. A draw away to Manchester United on October 20 was the only league match the Reds didn't win in the first 27 games.
9= Barcelona 2005/06 (18 matches)
A great Barcelona team including a young Lionel Messi, Frank Rijkard's side won 14 straight La Liga matches between the end of October and end of December to set themselves up to win the title. Barca also starred in the Champions League, winning the trophy by beating Arsenal in the final.
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Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Race card
1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m
3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Madrid Open schedule
Men's semi-finals
Novak Djokovic (1) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 6pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11pm
Women's final
Simona Halep (3) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 8.30pm
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
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West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
