Past experience tells us that the best team does not always win the Asian Champions League but one question that could be answered as the competition moves to the quarter-final stage is this: are Bunyodkor, probably Asia's richest club off the pitch, also the strongest on it?
The Uzbeks host South Korea's Pohang Steelers in the first leg of their tie today.
Not only do they boast a World Cup-winning coach in the form of Luiz Felipe Scolari (and reputedly the highest-paid coach in the world, too) they also have 1999 World Player of the Year Rivaldo.
The former Barcelona star is 37 but is the league's top scorer with 19 goals this season and is surrounded by virtually the entire Uzbekistan national team, including the likes of the 2008 Asian Player of the Year Server Djeparov, goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov and veteran forward Anvarjon Soliev.
But that statement is put into perspective by the fact Uzbekistan finished bottom of World Cup qualifying that included Australian, Japan, Bahrain and Qatar.
Bunyodkor have increased their domestic superiority by signing the leading players from their rivals Pakhtakor, who play Saudi side Al Ittihad tomorrow in the first leg of their quarter-final.
Taking such players has rendered the title race a one-horse contest; Bunyodkor have won all 23 games and are 18 points clear.
The Champions League is where the true test lies and how Scolari, the former Chelsea manager, prepares his men for what will be a tough test.
Given Bunyodkor's ambitions for the Asian title and a crack at Fifa's Club World Cup to be held in Abu Dhabi in December, the pressure is on the big-spending Central Asia side.
"Pohang have a Brazilian star, Denilson, in their squad and their coach Sergio Farias is well known, so we should take Pohang very seriously and not treat them like a usual rival," warned Rivaldo.
Pohang are in great form and last week had the biggest win in the K-League's 26-year history beating Jeju United 8-1. The team has also won the League Cup.
They are known as a team with no big names but fringe national team players such as Choi Hyo-jin, the former Paris Saint-German and Feyenoord forward Denilson and Macedonian marksman Stevica Ristic, besides the rising Yoo Chang-hyun.
"We've prepared seriously for this match and our last three matches were all part of our preparation," said Farias, who also guided the Steelers to victory in the 2007 K-League and last year's FA Cup.
"We're doing well domestically, but our priority is the Asian Champions League. Bunyodkor are very strong with Scolari and Rivaldo, but other players are dangerous. We come to win, but a draw would also be a good result for us. Most importantly, we must score an away goal," Farias added.
Elsewhere, Pohang's K-league rivals FC Seoul are in Qatar to face Umm Salal while Nagoya Grampus and Kawasaki Frontale play out an all-Japanese affair.
sports@thenational.ae
Bunyodkor v Pohang, KO 4pm, Abu Dhabi Sports 1
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
