On a hectic night of sweaty proportions and wealthy Brazilians, all that mattered was Matar. This was an evening billed as the return of the UAE league, though not as we know it.
Several clubs have frosted themselves with some nifty names during the summer, but the pungent Ismail Matar's piercing run and shot for the equalising goal could have occurred at any time over the past five seasons. As far as the local fans are concerned, this is a man who has mercury in his boots.
The Etisalat Pro League has changed its name, but as Shakespeare once wrote, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Matar's goal to earn a 1-1 draw with their Abu Dhabi neighbours Al Jazira was so sweet it was coated in sugar, just the way the locals like their football and their tea. At such times, Matar and his Al Wahda side are a heady brew.
Abdul Salam Juma's goal in the 44th minute for Jazira also held some appeal, the ball finding its way into the net with some haste from long range.
The Wahda manager Ahmed Abdulhalim likes a smoke. This hoary old figure was clearly happy to be back for more on Saturday night.
He managed to rid himself of the tobacco before raising his hands in a grateful gesture after Matar's 86th-minute shot redeemed his side. He was probably happier for a drag afterwards to calm his nerves.
Nothing in these matches has altered all that much. Names on shirts are now painted in English as well as Arabic, but goalkeepers continue to guard their goal with some ghastly moments, players feign injury with some relish and an effective deadball planted in the box leaves defenders lost. Mayhem remains a pivotal stanchion of the new league. Whenever the home fans muster the energy to get along to such games, they continue to revel in the Emiratis, even if the UAE's aim of progressing to the World Cup finals lies as empty as the Al Wahda shopping centre during daylight hours this month.
Jazira shop at some exclusive outlets, but all gratuities went to Matar. Then there was the home side's very own Brazilian forward Pinga, who was unfortunate in slamming an early header into a post.
Wahda went at this game with some venom. One wonders what the new Jazira head coach Abel Braga and Rafael Sobis, his striker who was signed from Real Betis for a monstrous Dh65million, made of such shenanigans.
The home team also rattled the bar, and Pinga missed from close range only for an offside flag to spare him, and were denied a winning goal by an offside decision.
It must be said, Sobis was disappointing here. One cannot be too harsh after only one outing, but he seemed to sit too deep.
Having sampled the game at a more manic level than this in Spain, he appeared downtrodden, like he had run into misfortune in Pamplona's running of the bulls.
This must have seemed like a chess match by comparison to a derby between Sevilla and Real Betis, with plenty of air between the seats at both ends.
An irate Sobis was booked and substituted, but he will be back for more. We are now in professional times, but thank goodness the semblance of amateur nonsense remains with us. Let the mayhem continue.
@Email:dkane@thenational.ae
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Company%20Profile
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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