Al Ahli host Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande on Saturday in the first leg of the Asian Champions League final. Star striker Rodrigo Lima spoke to media ahead of the biggest match in the UAE club’s history.
Rewriting the record books
Ahli have never before progressed past the group stages in the competition, but they became only the second UAE club to make the final of Asian football’s elite club competition, after Al Ain in 2003 and 2005. Lima, signed this summer from Benfica, has been integral to their run, scoring in every match since joining. In all, the Brazilian has 14 goals in 12 matches for Ahli.
On his seamless transition
“First of all, my mentality, my way of working, always gives me confidence and has helped me to achieve this fast adaptation,” Lima said. “When you come from another country it’s difficult, but I give all the praise to the players and the coach, who helped me a lot. I’m very happy to live this moment in my career here in this country, and to have the opportunity to make history in the club.”
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On flying the flag
“We know we’re facing a very important game, not just for our club but the whole country. All the players are very motivated for this game and concentrated also. For us, it’s important to get a good result at home. We trust a lot in the coach, in the work we have been doing, so that’s why we have this confidence.”
On the sense of occasion
“I am confident we’re going to do our best to bring this trophy to Al Ahli and make history here. The moment now is to enjoy, to play this game because we know the historical aspect. This is a final and so the level of motivation is high and the small details will decide the outcome. My team are concentrated and we hope to have a good result.”
On Guangzhou’s Brazilians
“Everybody knows they are big players in Brazil, some are also in the national team and the role they have in Guangzhou is very important tactically. Maybe they are Guangzhou’s main players. But I also believe in our defence in how we’re going to face them, and we are studying them to try to neutralise their threat.”
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Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari +00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
Race results:
1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min
2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: +0.91sec
3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: +31.43sec
Stan Lee
Director: David Gelb
Rating: 3/5
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SAUDI ARABIA RESULTS
Main card
Middleweight:
Robert Whittaker defeated Ikram Aliskerov via knockout (Round 1)
Heavyweight:
Alexander Volkov def Sergei Pavlovich via unanimous decision
Middleweight:
Kelvin Gastelum def Daniel Rodriguez via unanimous decision
Middleweight:
Shara Magomedov def Antonio Trocoli via knockout (Round 3)
Light heavyweight:
Volkan Oezdemir def Johnny Walker via knockout (Round 1)
Preliminary Card
Lightweight:
Nasrat Haqparast def Jared Gordon via split decision
Featherweight:
Felipe Lima def Muhammad Naimov via submission (Round 3)
Welterweight:
Rinat Fakhretdinov defeats Nicolas Dalby via split decision
Bantamweight:
Muin Gafurov def Kang Kyung-ho via unanimous decision
Light heavyweight:
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov def Brendson Ribeiro via majority decision
Bantamweight:
Chang Ho Lee def Xiao Long via split decision
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
The specs
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 660hp
Torque: 1,100Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 488km-560km
Price: From Dh850,000 (estimate)
On sale: October
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
Starring:+Glen+Powell,+Daisy+Edgar-Jones,+Anthony+Ramos
Rating:+2.5/5
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
