WHAT IS IT?
The Fifa Club World Cup is an annual event organised by football's world governing body that pits against one another the champions of the game's six confederations, together with the host nation. Real Madrid are the Club World Cup holders having won the trophy in Abu Dhabi last December.
WHEN IS IT?
The 2018 Club World Cup will take place in the UAE from December 12-22, marking the fourth time the Emirates has hosted the event. After debuting in 2009, the tournament was successfully staged in the country in 2010 and again last year. Barcelona won in 2009, Inter Milan the following year and Madrid last time out.
WHERE DO THE MATCHES TAKE PLACE?
As was the case last year, the matches will be played at two venues: Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. There will be eight matches in all, with the final once more held in the capital. Last year's showpiece, between Madrid and Brazil's Gremio, was a sellout.
WHO'S PLAYING?
Al Ain have booked their spot at the tournament by winning the 2017/18 Arabian Gulf League - their first top-flight crown in three years. The Garden City side, the UAE's most decorated club, will make their tournament debut.
Mexico’s CD Guadalajara were the first team to confirm their participation. The Liga MX champions sealed entry to the tournament by defeating Toronto FC on penalties in the final of the Concacaf Champions League. Although Guadalajara landed the trophy for only the second time in their history and first since 1962, they are the tournament's 11th consecutive Mexican winners.
Meanwhile, Oceania’s representatives will be Team Wellington, who defeated Fiji's Lautoka FC in the OFC Champions League final. Europe’s representatives will be decided following the Uefa Champions League final on May 26. The African, Asian and South American entrants will be determined in November.
THE DRAW
Al Ain have been placed in the opposite side of this year's Fifa Club World Cup to defending champions Real Madrid, after the draw took place in Zurich on Tuesday, September 4.
WHAT’S THE LATEST ON TICKETS?
Tickets have yet to be made available, but supporters should check www.FIFA.com/clubworldcup for any updates.
Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 190hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.9L/100km
Price: From Dh119,900
On sale: Now
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Company Profile
Name: Raha
Started: 2022
Based: Kuwait/Saudi
Industry: Tech Logistics
Funding: $14 million
Investors: Soor Capital, eWTP Arabia Capital, Aujan Enterprises, Nox Management, Cedar Mundi Ventures
Number of employees: 166
MATHC INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
if you go
The flights
Fly direct to Kutaisi with Flydubai from Dh925 return, including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours. From there, Svaneti is a four-hour drive. The driving time from Tbilisi is eight hours.
The trip
The cost of the Svaneti trip is US$2,000 (Dh7,345) for 10 days, including food, guiding, accommodation and transfers from and to Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This summer the TCT is also offering a 5-day hike in Armenia for $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person. For further information, visit www.transcaucasiantrail.org/en/hike/
