Al Jazira forward Ailton Almeida in action against Al Fateh in the Asian Champions League. Nezar Balout / AFP
Al Jazira forward Ailton Almeida in action against Al Fateh in the Asian Champions League. Nezar Balout / AFP
Al Jazira forward Ailton Almeida in action against Al Fateh in the Asian Champions League. Nezar Balout / AFP
Al Jazira forward Ailton Almeida in action against Al Fateh in the Asian Champions League. Nezar Balout / AFP

UAE down to two clubs as Al Jazira and Al Wahda exit Asian Champions League


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Al Jazira’s Asian Champions League campaign came to an abrupt end on Monday evening after a goalless draw with Al Fateh at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Having justifiably prioritised the Arabian Gulf League over their continental commitments so far this season, Jazira entered the match needing a win to keep their faint hopes alive in Group B following three successive defeats.

Despite enjoying 62 per cent of the possession, Jazira could only muster two shots on target over the 90 minutes and the point earned in Abu Dhabi was not enough to salvage their Champions League bid.

The club from the capital can, however, take comfort in the fact that they are on the brink of their first league title in seven years. Jazira lead the Arabian Gulf League standings by eight points with four games of the season remaining.

In the later fixture, Al Wahda fell the same way as their Abu Dhabi rivals, a 1-0 defeat in Riyadh to Saudi Arabian league champions Al Hilal ending their interests in Asia.

A penalty from Brazilian midfielder Carlos Eduardo midway though the first half proved the difference between the two sides.

From four teams entered in the competition, the UAE are down to their final two, both of whom are better placed than Jazira and Wahda to progress to the knockout stages.

Al Ain occupy second in Group C and host the leaders — and recently-deposed Saudi champions — Al Ahli on Tuesday evening at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, knowing a victory will elevate them to top spot.

Meanwhile in Group A, second-placed Al Ahli travel to Saudi Arabia to face third-placed Al Taawoun, but with both clubs level on three points, a defeat could prove costly for either side.

* The National staff

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Director:Michael Lehmann

Stars:Kristen Bell

Rating: 1/5

Multitasking pays off for money goals

Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.

That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.

"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.

Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."

People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.

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What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship

When: December 27-29, 2018

Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823

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By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.

  • During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
  • As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
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Overview

What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.

When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.

Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.

Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.

Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

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