LONDON // Different players, altered methods, same old summer letdown. It is just 11 months since Fabio Capello sat in a Bloemfontein interview room attempting to explain a comprehensive World Cup elimination at the hands of a young, tactically flexible Germany side. Capello blamed the blatantly errant refereeing decision that would have brought England level at 2-2 in
a match eventually lost 4-1, but his central focus was on refusing to resign a position he would happily have been sacked from.
Much of his squad had been exhausted by the time they reached South Africa. They ill appreciated the sterile atmosphere and enforced rest hours of their training camp, and divided themselves in two over John Terry's demands for a change of strategy and starting line-up. If Capello put down that coup in a manner befitting his nationality, it was to be his finest moment in Africa.
England edged through to the knockout round with a return to schoolground basics 4-4-2. It was enough to overcome Slovenia, but blatantly lacking against the Germans. Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry were painfully outnumbered in the midfield as Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller accelerated past the latter. Steven Gerrard was isolated on the left wing, Wayne Rooney short of form and fitness in attack, and Jermain Defoe experiencing one of those days when you wonder how he's achieved the status
he has in the Premier League.
Contrast the World Cup with Wembley yesterday. First, we had Capello talking of an abbreviated preparation period where "in training the players have been like children wanting to play". All but Manchester United's Champions League combatants had an entire week off before reporting for sessions that began only on Tuesday. More important, though, was the belief that England entered the tie with a system suited to the modern game.
The switch to the 4-1-2-3 that overwhelmed Wales in March had done two things. It strengthened England's numbers in the centre of the pitch, offering options to control possession and pick more sensible passes. It also placed each of the starting eleven in positions they are accustomed to. No shoehorning Lampard into a holding role; no Gerrard stationed uncomfortably wide.
As in Cardiff, four of the starters were not even part of Capello's eccentric final selection for South Africa. As against the Welsh, Scott Parker patrolled the space in front of the back four, Jack Wilshere played as a box-to-box midfielder, and Darren Bent was a centre forward with confidence. On the right wing, Theo Walcott somewhat strangelyreplaced Ashley Young. With Joe Hart as goalkeeper and Rio Ferdinand in central defence, there were a total of six personnel changes to the Bloemfontein bullied.
Perhaps Capello's greatest fortune has lain in the accelerated development of Wilshere. Still a teenager, this was the 60th outing of a season in which the midfielder has established himself as an individual capable of competing on level terms with Europe's best. With Arsenal in the Camp Nou it was Wilshere taking on Xavi and Andres Iniesta for invention and audacity in the game's central battleground. The immature back-heel that cost Arsenal the opening goal span off Cesc Fabregas' boot.
Such preternatural quality, however, can come with costs. John Terry had lauded Wilshere's "Zola-esque" ability on the eve of the game. As England regressed to familiar failings in the early minutes, the captain's over-eagerness to find Wilshere in a crowded pitch ceded possession to Switzerland that almost brought an Eren Derdiyok opener.
With Milner and Walcott instructed to hug the touchlines, Capello had unnecessarily shorthanded England in the central areas. Passes tended to drift back to Joe Hart to drive long; possession - and confidence - went the way of the Swiss. On more than one occasion, Wilshere attempted to force the play and only succeeded in overrunning the ball into danger.
Aggravating the situation was a tendency to conceded unnecessary free kicks. With Derdiyok troubling Terry and Ferdinand, aerial defence was not its usual point of strength for the English, and one set piece too many sent them behind.
Tranquillo Barnetta earned the free kick on the left by sucking Frank Lampard into a trip. Taking it himself, the left winger aimed for the back post, watched his delivery curl over the overmanned Ferdinand and bounce beyond Hart into the goal.
Three minutes later, Parker tripped Reto Zeigler some 10 yards closer to the goalline. Again Barnetta stood over the dead ball and Hart, understandably conscious of a repeat embarrassment shuffled an extra step or two towards his back post. Cleverly, Barnetta targeted the nearer upright, Milner left a hole in the wall, and the ball sped in off the goalkeeper's outstretched leg.
Now Wilshere demonstrated his elan, scampering into the area to draw a reckless challenge from Johan Djourou. His Arsenal team-mate might have seen red for denying a scoring opportunity, but the referee settled for a penalty. Lampard's spot kick was just powerful enough to escape Diego Benaglio.
With Leighton Baines an increasingly effective presence as a substitute left back and Young restored to the attack at halftime, England discovered their urgency. Djourou was excused a trip on Walcott, before Milner, Baines and Young combined for an impressive equaliser.
Seconds after collecting a lunging yellow card, Wilshere ran from deep to propel the perfect pass to Bent. If Benaglio's reactions foiled the striker here, a painfully elevated shank was to cost him the next time Wilshere coolly created. The half wasEngland's, the points were not.
For Fabio, summer's a beach.
sports@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Uefa Champions League last 16 draw
Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur
Basel v Manchester City
Sevilla v Manchester United
Porto v Liverpool
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma
Chelsea v Barcelona
Bayern Munich v Besiktas
Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
MORE ON INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE
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'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3 (Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
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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
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl
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