With the 2017 Asian Champions League commencing this week, John McAuley casts an eye over the opponents of Al Ahli, Al Jazira, Al Ain and Al Wahda in their respective groups.
GROUP A - AL AHLI
■ Lokomotiv: Won a first Uzbek league title last season to go with the Uzbek Cup, while they reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League, defeating Al Hilal along the way. Eventually eliminated by Al Ain. Key men include captain Timur Kapadze and midfielder Kakhi Makharadze, however, Lokomotiv have recently sold several high-profile players.
■ Al Taawoun: Finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season to seal a first Champions League berth, while they are currently sixth this year. Managed by former Romania international Constantin Galca, his key men include captain, and assist expert, Jehad Al Hussain and intelligent defender Talal Al Absi.
■ Esteghlal: The Iranian giants are back in the competition following a three-year absence, courtesy of last season's third-placed domestic finish. Then defeated Qatar's Al Sadd on penalties in the play-off. Two-time Asian champions, but long before the tournament was rebranded, key men include goalkeeper and captain Mehdi Rahmati and experienced defender Khosro Heydari. Currently third in the Iranian league.
GROUP B – AL JAZIRA
■ Lekhwiya: The Qatar club ensured their place in the Champions League by securing the Emir Cup last season. Have twice reached quarter-finals, in 2013 and 2015, while last year they exited at the last-16 stage. Key men include Karim Boudiaf in midfield and Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi. Currently second in the Qatar Stars League.
■ Esteghlal Khuzestan: The Iranians embark on a first foray into the Champions League after winning their domestic title last season for the first time, via goal difference. Key men include captain Mohammed Tayyebi, who marshals the defence, and midfielder Hassan Beyt Saeed, whose goals fired them to the Iran top-flight crown. Currently eighth in the table now, though.
■ Al Fateh: Contesting the Champions League for a second time, the Saudis finished fifth domestically last season and required a play-off against Uzbekistan's Nasaf, which they won 1-0. In 2014, they collected only two points from their group. Key men include captain Hamdan Al Hamdan and Brazilian striker Nathan Junior. Currently second bottom in the Saudi Pro League.
GROUP C – AL AIN
■ Al Ahli Jeddah: Saudi Arabia's best team last season, clinching a third top-flight title. Have serious credentials in the Champions League too, finishing runners-up in 2012, although did not make it past the group stage last time out. Managed by the imitable Christian Gross, their key men include prolific Syrian Omar Al Somah and captain Taisir Al Jassim. Currently fourth domestically.
■ Zobahan: Back in the competition after retaining the Hazfi Cup, the Iranians are looking to improve further on last season's Champions League campaign. Cruised through their group unbeaten, but then exited to Al Ain in the next round. Key men include veteran captain Mehdi Rajabzadeh and forward Morteza Tabrizi. Currently fourth in the Iranian top flight.
■ Bunyodkor: Perennial qualifiers, the Uzbeks needed a penalty shoot-out victory against El Jaish to make the groups. Now dreaming of another run in the competition, although they have struggled to replicate the semi-final runs of 2008 and 2012. Key men include goalscoring midfielder Dostonbek Khamdamov, the 2015 Asian Young Player of the Year, and promising striker Eldor Shomurodov.
GROUP D – AL WAHDA
■ Al Hilal: Genuine continental heavyweights, the two-time Asian champions ensured qualification by finishing runners-up in last season's Saudi Pro League. Were runners-up too in the 2014 Champions League, then semi-finalists in 2015, before a disappointing last-16 exit last year. Key men include Brazilian forward Carlos Eduardo and brilliant right-back Yasser Al Shahrani. Currently lead the Saudi top flight.
■ Al Rayyan: The Qataris are back after a three-year absence courtesy of last season's Qatar Star League title. They will need to improve on their continental record, though: in six previous attempts, Rayyan have never progressed from the groups. Managed by Michael Laudrup, their key men include captain and goalscoring midfielder Rodrigo Tabata and striker Sergio Garcia. Currently third domestically.
■ Persepolis: Lost the Iranian top-flight title on goal difference last season, but return to the Champions League after a one-year absence. Best performance in Asia has been last-16 qualification in 2009, 2012 and 2015. Key men include prolific striker Mehdi Taremi and captain Jalal Hosseini, the reliable defender. Currently top the Iranian league.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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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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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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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.
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Total votes: 1.8 million
Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
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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.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
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Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
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