The UAE’s representatives endured a mixed start on Day 1 of the Asian Champions League group stages on Wednesday night, with Sharjah defeating Air Force Club 1-0 and Al Wahda losing by the same scoreline to Persepolis.
Making their third appearance in the competition, Sharjah began their Group B campaign with a narrow victory against their Iraqi rivals at Sharjah Stadium – all the pool's matches will be played in the emirate – with Khalid Bawazir's second-half goal decisive.
The UAE side, still by default the country’s reigning league champions after last season’s Arabian Gulf League was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, had survived an earlier scare, when Ali Kadhim’s header from a corner on the half hour struck the crossbar.
However, on 62 minutes, the home side grabbed their winner. Winger Caio, deployed in a lone role up front, advanced down his team's right and crossed for Bawazir, who drilled the ball into the roof of the Air Force Club goal.
Sharjah then had goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani to thank for a series of saves to guarantee the points. Air Force Club, three-time AFC Cup winners, played out the final moments with 10 men, after Humam Tareq was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Caio. Sharjah next face Iran’s Tractor FC on Saturday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Wahda’s Group E bid got off to a disappointing start with their single-goal defeat to Persepolis in Goa, India. The Abu Dhabi side, who came into the match unbeaten in seven Champions League games, were outdone by Seyed Jalal Hosseini’s goal five minutes before half-time.
Persepolis, runners-up in 2018 and again last year, sealed the points at the Pandit Jawaharial Nehru Stadium when Mehdi Torabi exchanged passes with Ehsan Pahlavan and then found his captain to stroke home. The Iranians had earlier struck the woodwork.
Wahda, managed once more by recent appointment Henk ten Cate, have a chance to rebound on Saturday, against hosts FC Goa.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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”.
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Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
