Wes Hoolahan’s brilliant finish was not enough to give the Republic of Ireland a winning start to Euro 2016 as Ciaran Clark’s own goal ensured a 1-1 draw with Sweden on Monday.
Hoolahan met Seamus Coleman’s flighted ball with a controlled first-time strike three minutes into the second half at the Stade de France to give Ireland a lead they fully deserved.
However, having been kept quiet for long spells by the Irish defence, Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic created the equaliser in the 71st minute when his cutback was turned into his own net by Aston Villa defender Clark.
It is a result that keeps both sides in the running in Group E, which also contains Italy and much-fancied Belgium, but the Irish will be especially frustrated at leaving with only a point.
Ibrahimovic was attempting to become the first player to score in four separate European Championships, but the Sweden captain was a peripheral figure in a first period in which Ireland were the better team.
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• Group E preview: Belgium, Ireland, Italy and Sweden
Martin O’Neill’s men played with far greater intensity and were first to threaten from a Jeff Hendrick shot nine minutes in that was well struck but was turned around the post by Andreas Isaksson.
Then Clark headed on a left-wing corner and veteran captain John O’Shea, stretching at the far post, was just unable to turn the ball in with the goalkeeper beaten.
Robbie Brady, an attacking player at club level but deployed as a left-back for Ireland, crashed a rising right-foot shot inches over, and in the 32nd minute Hendrick played a one-two with Shane Long before curling an effort from 25 yards onto the bar.
Meanwhile, former Paris Saint-Germain star Ibrahimovic was unable to trouble Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph from a long-range free-kick.
Sweden were dealt a blow right on half-time when right-back Mikael Lustig came off with what appeared to be a groin injury.
Coach Erik Hamren was forced into a defensive reshuffle as substitute Erik Johansson came on in central defence and Victor Lindeloef moved out to the right.
That defence was finally breached three minutes into the second period. Coleman did superbly on the right and lifted the ball towards the far post where Hoolahan smashed home a delightful first-time shot beyond Isaksson.
The sea of Irish fans behind the goal erupted, but having created almost nothing themselves, Sweden were nearly level a minute later.
Clark turned a corner towards his own goal but Randolph made a superb save, diving low to his right to scoop the ball away.
Ibrahimovic finally came to life on the hour, firing just wide with his back to goal following a Martin Olsson centre. He had a new partner in attack by that point, with John Guidetti having replaced Marcus Berg in a switch which proved pivotal as Sweden dug out the equaliser.
Guidetti’s flick released Ibrahimovic, and his ball from the left was headed past Randolph by the unfortunate Clark.
Ibrahimovic then came within a whisker of converting a low driven cross by Olsson, but a point was the very least Ireland deserved as the match ended all square.
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
BMW M5 specs
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Power: 727hp
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Read more about the coronavirus
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Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
