Al Nasr’s Luis Jimenez, right, has been a welcome addditon to the Dubai club after scoring four goals in his first three games. Ashraf Umrah  / Al Ittihad
Al Nasr’s Luis Jimenez, right, has been a welcome addditon to the Dubai club after scoring four goals in his first three games. Ashraf Umrah / Al Ittihad

Resurgent Luis Jimenez could be missing piece to puzzle in Al Nasr’s AGL title hunt



As Al Nasr celebrated their shootout victory over Al Ahli in June’s President’s Cup final, a veteran from the losing side cut a lonely, dejected figure. Ahli captain Luis Jimenez was on his way out of the club he had served for four seasons, and potentially out of the UAE.

Move forward a few months and the club that heaped misery on him that hot, humid day at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain have thrown him an Arabian Gulf League lifeline.

Both Nasr and Jimenez are reaping the benefits from what looks like one of the best signings of the summer.

Nasr, having achieved cup successes in the past two seasons, sit atop the AGL table after winning their opening three fixtures, with the former Chile international netting four goals.

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Coach Ivan Jovanovic deserves a large part of the credit for his methods. Taking previous club Apoel of Cyprus to the Uefa Champions League quarter- finals, among winning many other domestic trophies, showed a forward-thinking coach whose teams can punch above their weight.

Having won the GCC Champions League two years ago, last season’s success in the Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup continued the Serbian coach’s run of success. Now, his team look set to challenge for the crown that Nasr fans crave the most – the league title.

While other clubs have looked abroad to fill their foreign quota, Jovanovic has secured the signatures of three players who had become, if not exactly outcasts, at least surplus to requirements at their former clubs in the UAE.

In came Jires Kembo Ekoko from Al Ain, Jonathan Pitroipa from Al Jazira and Jimenez.

The three have been complemented by former Villarreal and Brazil international Nilmar. With the underrated Emirati midfielder Tariq Ahmed also excelling, it looks like a Jovanovic team will once again be greater than the sum of its parts.

For Jimenez, the short move across Dubai brought a fresh start. He scored 40 goals for Al Ahli, but he increasingly played a more withdrawn role in the past few years. In his first two seasons at the club he scored 13 and 12 league goals, respectively. Since then, he has not appeared among the league’s leading scorers.

It is early in the season, but Jimenez has taken a more advanced role with Nasr and shown he has not lost his touch.

In Week 1, his two goals turned around a match Nasr were in danger of losing to Emirates, who led at half time. He followed up with another double in the 3-1 away win to Al Dhafra.

His presence goes beyond scoring goals, however. On and off the pitch, Jimenez is a leader. His experience could be a major factor in turning Nasr from a team that can beat the best on their day to one consistently challenging at the top of the table.

His success is one of the feel-good stories of the season. In a league that has in the past been accused of attracting mercenaries, Jimenez has proven one of the most enduring and beloved foreigners to play on these shores, worthy of being mentioned alongside the likes of Grafite and Asamoah Gyan as one of the league’s finest players.

On Sunday, Nasr travel to meet a Sharjah team who have yet to register a point this season. An expected win, coupled with a Jimenez goal or two, and the early form will start to have a more permanent look to it.

After years of underachievement, recent cup success has put the country’s oldest club back in the spotlight. This season could turn out to be the one when they challenge for the league title again.

akhaled@thenational.ae

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

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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

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
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize

This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.

From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.

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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.
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni

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

Rating: 4/5

 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
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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

PRESIDENTS CUP

Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:

02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland

Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)

Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)

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
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FULL%20RESULTS
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

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

Rating: 2/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

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Results

6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m, Winner: RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Mnasek, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Grand Dubai, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m, Winner: Meqdam, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Cosgrave, Doug Watson.

9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Madkhal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

The biog

Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."

Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell 

Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."

Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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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.