When, six years earlier, the UAE had won their first Gulf Cup – and first major trophy of any sort – it had been on home soil in Abu Dhabi. Zayed Sports City was packed to the rafters, and support for the host team universal.
The 2013 final might have been played elsewhere, a short skip across the Arabian Gulf in Bahrain, but the atmosphere was scarcely any different.
Four hours before the kick off for the deciding game between UAE and Iraq, Bahrain’s National Stadium in east Riffa was full beyond its 35,000 capacity. Almost everyone inside was Emirati.
To say the country was in the grip of cup fever is understating the point.
President Sheikh Khalifa had chartered six flights from Abu Dhabi so fans could travel for free to the semi-final against Kuwait.
Once that was duly won, everyone else was on board, too, with free flights commissioned again from the capital and Dubai to the final, as well as four from Fujairah, three from Ras Al Khaimah and three from Sharjah.
Even du joined in with the feeling of goodwill, laying on a flight for 350 supporters to Manama.
Many more made the journey – in excess of 800kms – by road, in cars decked with UAE bunting.
On the afternoon of the game, one 4x4 made the trip from the team hotel in the city centre to the stadium with a supporter stood up and waving a flag through the sunroof.
The back windscreen carried the message: “Qatar done, Bahrain done, Oman done, Kuwait done, Iraq download 99 per cent.”
It was confidence boldly worn. And, with Omar Abdulrahman pulling the strings, why not be confident?
The shaggy haired Al Ain playmaker was just 21 at the time, but his star had long been on the rise.
Just six months earlier, he had played at Old Trafford and Wembley Stadium in the Olympics, and caught the eye.
Even though he was still so young, the Gulf Cup final felt like a coronation of sorts.
Certainly, the tournament has thrown up few more memorable goals in its 50-year history than the one he managed against Iraq.
In the 28th minute, Abdulrahman slalomed through the Iraq defence from his starting position on the right hand side and planted a deflected shot beyond the Iraq keeper. He had earned his luck.
Thanks to Amoory’s magnificence, the UAE dominated the early phases of the final, but Iraq were by no means easy beats.
Their equaliser, scored by Younis Mahmoud with nine minutes of normal time remaining, was little more than they deserved.
And, judging by the body language of the players on either side in the time between the end of the 90 minutes and extra-time kicking off, it seemed unlikely the winners would be UAE.
Iraq’s players ended their pep talk with a frenzy, almost dancing their way back on to the field, while Mahdi Ali’s men looked spent.
How deceiving that was. In the second half of extra time, Ismail Al Hammadi latched on to a pass by Amer Abdulrahman and fired the UAE to the title.
A version of this article was first published on July 5, 2020.
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.
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
