ABU DHABI // Fetthi Jebel, the Ajman coach, achieved success in two fronts after victory over Al Jazira in the Arabian Gulf Cup.
“We used this game to prepare for our first Arabian Gulf League game against Sharjah when the league resumes after a one-month break and also a victory means we kept our hopes alive in the Cup competition,” the Tunisian said.
Ajman won 2-0 over Jazira with two second-half goals from Waleed Hassan, from a spot kick, and Boris Kabi, with a stunning 30-yard shot, last night at the Mohammed bin Zayed stadium. The first win in three games for the Northern Emirate club raised their hopes of a semi-final berth in the Cup competition while Jazira’s chances almost ended as they are on three points from four games.
“We are preparing for our first league game after the break and the players did a great job to win the game,” Jebel said. “There were several players returning from injury and it was a good outing for them. Of course this win also keeps our hopes alive in the Cup competition. So this win gave us double joy.”
Hassan scored from the spot after Kabi was felled by Hassan Ameen, the Jazira defender.
The lead was then doubled by Ivorian forward Kabi’s long-range shot that caught the Jazira defence napping.
“If you lose, you are not happy,” said Eric Gerets, the Jazira coach. “The first half wasn’t good but we showed another face in the second half to create a few chances.
“Ajman defended well. We also made it easier for them by missing from the chances we created. We tried out the reserves and some youngsters in the Cup competition and that’s a positive we can take forward.”
REPORT CARD
Star performer - Boris Kabi (Ajman)
Took the game away from Jazira with a well-struck shot from 30 yards and also won a spot kick.
Underperformer – Manuel Lanzini (Al Jazira)
Diminutive Argentine forward failed to approach high expectations.
Key moment – The second goal, four minutes after Ajman had broken the deadlock from a Waleed Hassan spot kick, put Ajman on top.
Al Jazira rating
4/10 An ordinary effort from a top side, despite experimenting with young players and reserves.
Ajman rating
7/10 The Cup competition provides a realistic chance of winning for clubs such as Ajman, and they clearly carried those hopes.
Our verdict
Ajman have raised their hopes of reaching a semi-final. They now have another nine points to play for.
apassela@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at SprtNationalUAE
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Red Joan
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Tereza Srbova
Rating: 3/5 stars
Votes
Total votes: 1.8 million
Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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
More on Coronavirus in France
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
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 specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
