Asian Champions League, Group C: Al Ain v Al Ahli, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Tuesday, kick-off 7.35pm
Zoran Mamic says his Al Ain side will have to overcome one of the Gulf’s finest teams on Tuesday if they are to take a “big step” towards the Asian Champions League knockout stages.
The Garden City club, currently second in Group C, host leaders Al Ahli at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, with the Saudi Arabian champions currently two points better off at the halfway mark.
The two sides met on Matchday 3 in Jeddah, when Al Ain twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw. In fact, the 2003 champions have a superior recent record against Christian Gross’ men, winning both group fixtures last year on the way to the final.
Ahli, though, could clinch progression to the last 16 with victory, and should be extra motivated for the clash considering they have all but conceded their Saudi Pro League title to domestic rivals Al Hilal.
Mamic understands the task that awaits Al Ain perhaps more than most, though, given he spent seven months at Riyadh’s Al Nassr before his move to the UAE earlier this year.
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“For me, Ahli are the best team in Saudi Arabia,” Mamic said. “At in the moment, they are not in first place in the league, but I like this team. And also we cannot forget they have one of the best coaches.
“We have a game against one of the best teams in this region and so we expect a very, very difficult match. It is important for both teams because with three points we can make a big step to the next round. We know each other very, very well — there are no secrets in both teams.
“I’m sure my team will make a good match. Of course, we have a plan how we play against them. But it’s important that it happens on the pitch and is not just what we talk about. I’m sure the players know this.”
Al Ain will be without a number of players for the visit of Ahli, including defender Mohammed Ahmed and midfielder Amer Abdulrahman, who are both injured, while Saudi striker Nasser Al Shamrani has been granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.
Elsewhere, UAE champions Al Ahli travel to Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun knowing victory would push them closer to making the knockouts for only a second time. The 2015 finalists sit second in Group A, one place above debutants Taawoun on goal difference and two points off top spot, currently occupied by Iran’s Esteghlal.
Last month, Ahli and Taawoun played out a lacklustre goalless draw in Dubai, and the latter have since replaced manager Constantin Galca with former coach Jose Gomes. However, Ahli manager Cosmin Olaroiu has problems of his own, with injuries to key men, such as midfielder Majed Hassan, and the uncertainty surrounding the future of UAE national team striker Ahmed Khalil. Ahli, meanwhile, have won only three of their past 23 Champions League away matches.
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
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RESULTS
Mumbai Indians 181-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders 168-6 (20ovs)
Mumbai won by 13 runs
Rajasthan Royals 152-9 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 155-4 (18.4 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets
Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
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The six points:
1. Ministers should be in the field, instead of always at conferences
2. Foreign diplomacy must be left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
3. Emiratisation is a top priority that will have a renewed push behind it
4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow
5. Complaints from the public must be addressed, not avoided
6. Have hope for the future, what is yet to come is bigger and better than before
THE BIG MATCH
Arsenal v Manchester City,
Sunday, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
RESULTS
6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Handicap $160,000 1,400m
Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
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8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
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Games on BeIN Sports
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