Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his rapid start to the season on Saturday as Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal began their title defence with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Al Okhdood.
Mitrovic, who scored twice in the 4-1 Saudi Super Cup final win over Riyadh rivals Al Nassr last weekend, got his league campaign underway with another double before Serbia national team colleague Sergej Milinkovic-Savic added the third shortly before half time.
Hilal went unbeaten last season to secure the title by 14 points, and Jorge Jesus' side needed just four minutes at Prince Hathloul Sports City to set themselves up for their latest victory. Abdullah Al Hamdan timed his run perfectly to collect the ball close to the Okhdood goalline before cutting the ball back across the six-yard box for Mitrovic to fire into the net.
Al Hamdan and Mitrovic combined again for Hilal's second goal, the Saudi winger's clipped cross finding the head of the Serbian striker, who nodded home into the bottom corner.
Milinkovic-Savic then made it 3-0 in first-half injury time with a spectacular free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Hilal had chances to increase their lead after the break, but captain Salem Al Dawsari could only find the side netting from a tight angle, before Musab Al Juwayr scuffed his close-range effort.
Al Okhdood had a great chance to score a consolation goal in the 75th minute only for Mohammed Al Jahif's header to be excellently saved by Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The follow-up shot from Saviour Godwin then flashed past the post, although Al Jahif had strayed marginally offside, so a goal wouldn't have counted.
There was also a win on Saturday for 2022/23 champions Al Ittihad as summer signing Houssem Aouar endeared himself to his new fans by scoring the game's only goal deep in injury time at Al Kholood.
In Saturday's other game, Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq began their campaign with three points after a 1-0 win at Al Shabab following former Lyon striker Moussa Dembele's 74th-minute goal.
On Friday, Roberto Firmino opened his account for the new season in Al Ahli's 2-0 victory over Al-Orobah. The Brazilian former Liverpool forward doubled Ahli's lead in the 80th minute after Abdulkarim Darisi scored the opener in the first half.
Also on Friday, promoted Al Qadisiya returned to the top flight in style by defeating Al Fateh 3-0 at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, with new signing Julian Quinones scoring twice. In the day's other match, Al Khaleej won 1-0 away at Damac courtesy of a Dhari Al Anazi own goal.
The opening round began on Thursday and there was frustration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Raed. The Portuguese star, who set a new SPL record last season by scoring 35 goals, got off the mark in the 34th minute but a Mohamed Fouzair penalty shortly after the break levelled for the visitors.
The match of the round took place at King Abdul Aziz Stadium, where Al Wehda and Al Riyadh shared a thrilling 3-3 draw. Wehda looked to be on course for victory when Craig Goodwin scored his second goal after Bernard Mensah had earlier equalised and Riyadh were reduced to 10 men.
Ibrahim Bayesh then made it 2-2 for Riyadh in the 85th minute, before substitute Mourad Mohammed Abdullah Khodari gave Wehda their third lead in the 94th minute. The celebrations were short-lived as Lucas Kal struck the leveller three minutes later.
There was also drama at Al Taawon Club Stadium as the hosts scored an injury-time winner through Abdulfattah Adam Ahmed Mohamed after having Ibrahim Al Shoeil sent off in the 81st minute.
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Honeymoonish
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The National selections
Al Ain
5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura
7pm: AF Arrab
7.30pm: Al Jazi
8pm: Futoon
Jebel Ali
1.45pm: AF Kal Noor
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh
3.45pm: Bawaasil
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
