Portugal's Bruno Alves challenges Albania's Klodian Duro.
Portugal's Bruno Alves challenges Albania's Klodian Duro.

Lowly Albania add to Portugal's suffering



Of all the matches played in all of Europe on Wednesday, and amid all the nations jostling for position in some hefty, elongated World Cup qualifying groups, the failings of Portugal stick out like a sore thumb. A rickety 0-0 draw with Albania was akin to a thumb in the eye for their ravaged coach Carlos Queiroz. Against a side who rampaged around Braga for the best part of an hour with 10 men, Portugal managed to get away a glorious 26 shots, but ended up in a state of nothingness.

Portugal appeared to seize up in losing to Germany in the last eight of the European Championship in June. Luiz Felipe Scolari escaped to Chelsea after that loss, but the malady lingers on. A 3-2 home defeat to Denmark and a 0-0 draw in Sweden has wounded their collective pride over the past month, and now they have failed to override Albania, despite being blessed with home advantage. Cristiano Ronaldo, for all he shimmers with Manchester United, is not Eusebio, and, in a Portuguese shirt, he is not even Luis Figo.

He was too predictable against Germany, too much of a maverick to justify being captain of his country. In his second match at national level since ankle surgery, he proved ineffectual. His most telling contribution against Albania was his involvement in the sending off of the visiting player Admir Teli, whose forearm contacted Ronaldo's face. Like Ronaldinho of Brazil he is an engaging entertainer, but the one-man circus act is only worthy if it gains applause, and brings with it victory. Portugal were roundly derided at the end. Albania whooped it up, as you would expect of a side ranked as the world's 83rd best, but it must be said that Portugal now find themselves in trouble, level with Albania and two points behind Denmark and Hungary as the natural order of Group One is disrupted.

It could have got scarier for them if Miguel was not around to clear Ervin Bulku's effort off the line in the first half. Not all of Europe's chirpier countries are finding such insanity touching their outings. Marcello Lippi is aware of his place in the history of Italy's national team. In his second spell as head coach of the Azzurri, Lippi has equalled the record of Vittorio Pozzo. Pozzo helped Italy win two World Cups, and gleaned the gold medal from an Olympic Games in the 1930s. A 2-1 win over Montenegro gave Italy three points, and Lippi a record-equalling 30th match unbeaten in international climes.

"To be compared to a legend like Pozzo is fantastic," he said. "Thirty consecutive results is like a season and it has run through World Cup glory and an attempt to renew the team." Italy lead Group Eight and are unbeaten after four games. @Email:dkane@thenational.ae

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The specs

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Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8

Power 625hp at 6,000rpm

Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm

Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto

Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec

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Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km

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On sale Jan/Feb 2020
 

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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Results

Stage 4

1. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma 04:16:13

2. Gaviria (COL) UAE Team Emirates

3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe

4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep

5. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal

General Classification:

1. Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott        16:46:15

2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates         0:01:07

3. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team          0:01:35

4. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ         0:01:40

5. Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe

The Florida Project

Director: Sean Baker

Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe

Four stars

TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The studios taking part (so far)
  1. Punch
  2. Vogue Fitness 
  3. Sweat
  4. Bodytree Studio
  5. The Hot House
  6. The Room
  7. Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
  8. Cryo
Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers