Look at the teams atop the three Etisalat Cup groups:
Al Wahda
,
Al Wasl
and
Al Shabab
.
The trio have struggled this season in the
Pro League
and none of them have a chance of winning the title - a feat which would require a complete implosion by leaders
Al Ain
- and even the Asian Champions League qualification slots are at least seven points away.
Winning the Etisalat Cup could save each team's season, and maybe even keep their manager in a job.
Flash back to
Al Ahli
in 2011/12.
There were big expectations heaped on Quique Sanchez Flores's team, with Grafite and Luis Jiminez arriving to lead a title charge, but the Dubai club finished fifth, nearer in points to the relegation zone than top spot.
But they won the Etisalat Cup.
A trophy kept fans happy and banished any thoughts of Sanchez Flores losing his job - and we all know that getting fired is not too hard in the Pro League.
This season they are third in the league.
Wahda, Wasl, Shabab all could do with the boost of lifting that trophy.
Each side has the basis of a title-winning squad. Wahda provide key players to the national side, Wasl have one of the best foreigners in Mariano Donda and one of the UAE's most promising young players in Rashid Essa.
And Shabab merge decent UAE players, such as Walid Abbas, with the flair of the likes of Ciel.
A trophy would salvage a disappointing season and may spark a 2013/14 title challenge.
twoods@thenational.ae
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Profile of Udrive
Date started: March 2016
Founder: Hasib Khan
Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.
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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.
