First objective complete, and with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals within sight, Marcus Berg is looking forward to Sweden’s next test with relish.
The Al Ain striker has yet to find the net in Russia, but has played a prominent role in his side’s unlikely escape from a group containing world champions Germany and an effervescent Mexico.
Now, they face Switzerland in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, a last-16 clash that opens a pathway to the last eight and perhaps even farther. Berg, though, will not cast the mind past Switzerland.
Saying that, with Germany eliminated – despite a last-minute winner against Sweden – and the Netherlands and Italy dispatched en route to Russia, the 2017/18 Arabian Gulf League's top goalscorer concedes confidence is soaring.
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More from 2018 World Cup:
Marcus Berg: The self-deprecating striker who Sweden rely on for more than just goals
Richard Jolly: Ronaldo and Messi - constant companions destined to never win the World Cup
Day 18 updates: Spain v Russia and Croatia v Denmark in last-16
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“Of course, we have proven to everyone what we are capable of,” Berg said. “Sure, the expectations are increased, even personally, from ourselves. We have proven what we can do, so we can’t hide behind anything. So there are no obstacles. There are only possibilities to continue in the same way we have done.”
With that said, Sweden have surprised during this tournament. Although known to be compact and committed, they were not expected to match their past couple of World Cup performances, when they reached the knockout stages in 2002 and 2006. Runners-up, at home in 1958, remains their best display to date.
However, Sweden opened with a 1-0 victory against South Korea, then lost 2-1 to Germany after taking the lead, before a comprehensive win against Mexico sealed top spot in Group F. Progressing as pool winners has a nice ring to it.
“Good, actually feels very good,” Berg said. “But after the first match it wasn’t so surprising after all. We knew that the last match was going to be like a final, so we knew it was a good chance against Mexico.
“They’ve been doing really well up until our match, so we proved to everyone that we are a good team. It feels good. Relief mostly, actually. This is what we came here for, so it is now that it starts.”
Berg will be hoping he starts scoring. He did not stop once he began for Al Ain, notching 36 goals in 36 appearances last season following his transfer from Greek side Panathinaikos. His 25 in 21 Arabian Gulf League matches clinched the Golden Boot and helped his club win a first top-flight title in three years.
Berg bagged a goal in the President's Cup final, too, as Al Ain captured that particular double for the first time in their history. He has had chances in Russia, notably against Korea, but it has not shaken his belief.
“It’s really only a goal that’s missing I think, if I’m honest,” Berg said. “It has felt good in all three matches. I have created chances, made a good job in defence, so everything feels perfect. It’s just to keep going like this.
“Had we gone out [against Mexico] then I would have kicked myself, but now we have gone past our first hurdle. I feel that everyone is contributing 100 per cent, and the same for me. I’m pleased with what I have contributed.”
Berg denied Germany’s exit made up for Sweden’s last-gasp defeat to them – “it’s more that we have eliminated the world champions, more that we show the strengths we have" – but, encouraged by the team's form until this point, he is eager to focus on what is in front, not behind.
“We will have to see,” Berg said. “As I said, our first hurdle was to qualify in the group, so we’ll just keep on going. We don’t see any obstacles on the road ahead. We are going to meet the next opponents just like we have done before, and just keep going.”
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5-litre%2C%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E410hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E495Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Estarts%20from%20Dh495%2C000%20(Dh610%2C000%20for%20the%20F-Sport%20launch%20edition%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
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Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
