World Cup Group B guide: Ronaldo's last chance to win the big one with Portugal


Ian Hawkey
  • English
  • Arabic

SPAIN

Qualified As emphatic winners of a tough European qualifying group, and leaving in their wake arguably the biggest scalp so far in the story of World Cup 2018. Italy were rammed into second place – and consigned to the play-off the Italians then lost to Sweden – by Spain, who overwhelmed the Azzurri 3-0 in Madrid.

Manager Julen Lopetegui. The Basque, a goalkeeper in playing days at both Barcelona and Real Madrid, among other clubs, shared dressing-rooms with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Brazil's Ronaldo, and was coached by a young Jose Mourinho and the brilliant Johan Cruyff. He also won a single cap for Spain before embarking on a management career that had been tied for a long period to Spanish age-group teams before he had success with Porto on the way to taking over the senior national side.

Player to watch Andres Iniesta. This World Cup is a farewell to Iniesta from the grand stage of elite football and there would be few who would begrudge him a glorious adios. Iniesta is the man who delivered, with his volleyed goal in the 2010 World Cup final, Spain's first world title, and was the lubricator of the beautifully fluid midfield of an all-conquering Barcelona of that era. He is also loved for his unamplified, self-deprecating approach to his own genius. For that, millions of neutrals will hope he can bow out on a high.

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Read more

In pictures: Thousands turn out as Barcelona great Andres Iniesta is unveiled at Vissel Kobe

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Talking Points The rough and the smooth. Diego Costa, born in Brazil, and once a wearer of the Brazil jersey in friendly internationals, goes to his second World Cup with Spain with much to prove. He has missed half of this season due to his very public falling out with Chelsea, who he helped guide to a Premier League title before clashing with his manager, Antonio Conte.

He is clearly Spain’s most worldly centre-forward, and he’s been in form since returning in January to Atletico Madrid, but he’s still regarded as an oddball for Spain, all elbows and aggression in a team of slick, light-touch elegance. Might this be the tournament where he looks like he truly belongs?

Prediction Spain ought to do far, far better than they did in Brazil in 2014, and have the personnel to make positive amends for the quarter-final elimination they suffered two years ago when they were defending their European Championship crown. They are a team full of seasoned champions, and they will pass the ball with enviable assurance. They will not concede many goals either, with David de Gea behind that ying-and-yang duo of Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. Spain to reach the final.

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Read more on World Cup 2018:

World Cup 2018: Guides, predictions, galleries and where to watch in UAE

In pictures: The World Cup 2018 stadiums in Russia as seen from space

Absentee XI: Icardi, Morata, Nainggolan and others cut from their World Cup squads

Du and beIN Sports reach deal to show World Cup games

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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo pictured during the soccer friendly game Portugal against Egypt, in the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland, on Friday, March 23, 2018. (Melanie Duchene / AP Photo
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo pictured during the soccer friendly game Portugal against Egypt, in the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland, on Friday, March 23, 2018. (Melanie Duchene / AP Photo

PORTUGAL

Qualified Finished top of European qualifying Group B, and avoided what had become a habit of cutting it fine in reaching major tournaments in recent years. They still contrived to lose, to Switzerland, in their opening game, but thanks to their glut of goals – Cristiano Ronaldo contributed a stunning 15, Andre Silva nine in their 10 fixtures – headed the group on goal difference.

Manager Fernando Santos. An elder statesman in a nation with an enviable reputation for rigorous, high-quality coaches, Fernando Santos has travelled widely, smiles only occasionally and lived the greatest moment of his career two summers ago when he guided Portugal to victory in the European Championship, the country's first major international trophy at senior level. He did so without his best player – Ronaldo – on the pitch for most of the final, and by coaxing the best out of one or two genuine journeyman. A tactician to respect.

Player to Watch Joao Mario. The creative, hard-working midfielder was a key contributor to the success at Euro 2016, but goes into his first World Cup after a topsy-turvy domestic season. He endured a tough six months at Inter Milan in Serie A, in and out of the side, and in January, mindful that he needed regular football to claim a midfield position in his national team for Russia, he accepted a loan move to West Ham United.

It was risk; he was signing up to a possible relegation dogfight, in a league he did not know intimately. Joao Mario soon showed his fine eye for a pass, and the odd goal for West Ham. He can give the Portuguese real finesse.

Talking Point Cristiano Ronaldo likes to be talked about. He likes the fact he was won almost all the major prizes available to a modern player. Except one. This one. His age, 33, suggests this may the last of his four World Cup adventures. He is of course, the first name on Fernando Santos' teamsheet, his country's all-time leading goalscorer and greatest player.

But his mood? He finished the club season tetchy about his status at Real Madrid, and he can be vividly intolerant – full of exasperated gestures and grumbles – about the shortcomings of his Portugal teammates when they struggle or misplace a pass.

Prediction Portugal may find the all-Iberian derby that kicks off the campaign sapping, and they can be slow starters in tournament play. If their leading light, Ronaldo, lacks freshness after a long club season, then the group phase could turn into a real grind, with Morocco and Iran set up to be hard to beat.

The European champions should be equipped to make one of the top two spots in Group B, but they may need to do more than eke out draw after draw, as they did through Euro 2016. They should make the last 16, but then face an abrupt elimination.

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Read more on World Cup 2018:

In pictures: All 12 Russia 2018 World Cup stadiums

Etisalat offers first Fifa World Cup viewing deals

Lowdown: Where to watch 2018 Fifa World Cup matches in Abu Dhabi and kick-off times

Lowdown: Where to watch 2018 Fifa World Cup matches in Dubai and kick-off times

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Hakim Ziyech chose to represent Morocco, the country of his parents, over the Netherlands. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
Hakim Ziyech chose to represent Morocco, the country of his parents, over the Netherlands. Denis Balibouse / Reuters

MOROCCO

How they qualified Topped Group C of the African section, above Ivory Coast - from whom Morocco took four points, including an away win - and Gabon and Mali. They were unbeaten in the group, and conceded no goals in securing their first place at a World Cup finals since 1998.

Manager Herve Renard. The Frenchman has something of a Midas touch in African football. He made history by guiding Zambia to that country's first and only Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012 and then he  took a gifted and celebrated but hugely under-performing group of Ivory Coast players, finally delivering for them a Nations Cup triumph, in 2015, after many years when they had been favourites without coming good on that status. Renard is charismatic, dapper and urbane, and, after struggling to make an impression in French club football as a manager, will want to show at his first World Cup that he can thrive outside Africa.

Player to watch Hakim Ziyech. The 25-year-old represented Netherlands, the country of his birth, at youth level, but three years ago decided, after being called up by the senior Dutch national team, to commit himself to Morocco, where his parents were born. It was Africa's gain.

Ziyech allies fine close control to great vision. Nobody in last season’s Dutch Eredivisie provided more assists for goals than he and he has been a distinguished wearer of the fabled Ajax number 10 jersey. He is useful with a direct free-kick, too.

Talking Points There is a lively debate about the goalkeeping position, complicated by the differing club seasons the two talented glovemen in contention for a starting place have experienced. One the one hand, there is Munir Mohamedi, 29 and the proud owner of six clean sheets in the six group games of World Cup qualifying. The problem is Mohamedi has spent almost all season on the bench for Numancia, of the Spanish second division. By contrast, Yassine Bounou, 27, and second choice in World Cup qualifying, has established himself as respected No 1 at Girona, impressive newcomers to La Liga's prestigious top tier.

Prediction It is a very big month for Moroccan football, what with a bid for hosting the 2026 World Cup to be considered by Fifa, and a return, after 20 years away, to a finals tournament. The Atlas Lions are entitled to regard themselves as their continent's flag-bearers, with a strong defence expertly marshalled by Juventus's Mehdi Benatia and some creative spark in midfield. But they have fallen into a very tough group, and with Spain and Portugal both crammed into it, Morocco face a tough task finishing higher than third place. Unlikely to make the knockout phase.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz during a recent friendly against Turkey. Murad Sezer / Reuters
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz during a recent friendly against Turkey. Murad Sezer / Reuters

IRAN

Qualified As top of Group A in the Asian Football Confederation final round, and in some style, undefeated through their 10 matches of the last stage, and with only two goals conceded. They finished well clear of second-placed South Korea and were the first Asian nation into Russia 2018.

Manager Carlos Queiroz. The Mozambique-born coach has quite a record in getting teams to World Cup finals, having taken Portugal, the country he grew up in, to the 2010 tournament, qualified South Africa for the 2002 event (he resigned before it started), and now having guided Iran to two on the trot. Studious in his outlook, but sometimes a little abrasive in his dealings with authorities, the former Real Madrid manager has cultivated good relationships in Iran over a long stint in charge.

Player to watch Reza Goochannejhad. The Heerenveen striker has had a less prolific club season than he enjoyed in 2016/17, when he hit 19 goals in the Eredivise campaign, but with his fine left foot, aerial ability and experience he is important to Iran, who need to make the most of their chances up front.

Born in Iran, he moved with his parents to the Netherlands at the age of four, and thrived at school, so much so he had prospects of a career as a lawyer, or even as a musician had he not shown such an appetite for scoring goals. He struck Iran’s only goal in Brazil four years ago.

Talking point Matchday 3 of Group B is shaping up as quite a charged evening for Queiroz. First, the outcome in a high-quality, and very possibly tight, group will likely carry high stakes, and there is also the meeting of Queiroz with his compatriots and some former players from his time coaching Portugal.

That stint ended with some bad-tempered goodbyes, and Portugal defender Pepe, in particular, rubbed up badly with Queiroz, who publicly described the hardman in unflattering terms. Quite a lot of baggage, then, for Iran v Portugal in Saransk on June 25.

Prediction It looks like hard luck on Iran, who have become a very competitive side not only in Asia, but in global terms in the past five years, to have been placed in a pool with the reigning European champions, Portugal, the best national team of the past 10 years, Spain, and perhaps the most solid of all the African qualifiers for Russia 2018.

Certainly, it looks very much as if three points need to be garnered from the opening fixture against Morocco for Iran to have a chance of reaching the last 16, and for that they may need to throw off the conservative mindset they sometimes adopt. On the way home after the group phase.

Group B Overview

Group B looks altogether too neighbourly for anybody’s liking, what with Portugal up against the Spain with whom they share their only land border and a Morocco which is barely 15 kilometres of Mediterranean sea away from Andalucia’s southern tip.

It is suffocatingly competitive, too, because it includes the European champions, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portuguese, the Spain that won the 2010 World Cup, and the countries that, respectively, qualified most impressively from Africa and from Asia. The likelihood is that after some tight, feisty matches, Europe will emerge ahead, in the form of last-16 places for Spain and Portugal.

Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk


Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How much of your income do you need to save?

The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.

In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)

Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.

 

HAJJAN
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FIGHT%20CARD
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat

At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

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.

AIR
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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Bullet%20Train
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

North Pole stats

Distance covered: 160km

Temperature: -40°C

Weight of equipment: 45kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 0

Terrain: Ice rock

South Pole stats

Distance covered: 130km

Temperature: -50°C

Weight of equipment: 50kg

Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300

Terrain: Flat ice
 

If you go

The flights

Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes. 

The car

Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.

The hotels

Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes. 

More info

To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest. 

 

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 
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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Formula%204%20Italian%20Championship%202023%20calendar
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

The specs

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The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures

October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA

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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Janet Yellen's Firsts

  • In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve 
  • In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers 
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative