Another exciting summer is in full flow as Arabian Gulf League clubs set about improving their squads ahead of the new season. John McAuley provides five players that clubs in the UAE should consider signing.
Robinho (Santos)
The mercurial Brazilian, 31, may seem past his best, but a CV that boasts stints at Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan underlines his talent. Proved this week at the Copa America that he still has much to offer. Baniyas have reportedly held talks with his advisers, although there are several clubs interested in taking the forward from Santos.
Ronaldinho (free agent)
Forever tipped for a move to the UAE, the Brazilian wizard is looking for another club after leaving Mexico’s Queretaro. He may be 35, but the two-time Fifa World Player of the Year would undoubtedly raise the profile of the league and certainly increase attendances. Appears set to sign for Vasco Da Gama, though. Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasser have been linked, too.
MORE ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE NEWS
How do Al Ain improve? Will Al Ahli solve striker crisis? The current state of AGL’s title contenders
Former Al Ain midfielder Jorge Valdivia in line for return to UAE with Al Wahda
Former Arsenal midfielder Denilson seals move to Al Wahda on three-year deal
Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras)
The skilful Chilean was the darling of Al Ain during two seasons in the UAE between 2008-2010, in which he helped the club secure the League Cup and President’s Cup. Boasting brilliant dribbling skills, and a set-piece expert too, he is still revered by football fans here. Mooted as a possible target for Al Wahda, at age 31 the Palmeiras playmaker has plenty left to contribute.
Abdelaziz Barrada (Marseille)
One season at Al Jazira was enough to confirm the French-born Moroccan’s talent, when he scored 10 league goals in 22 appearances. His coach, Walter Zenga, labelled him the league’s most skilled playmaker. Barrada was swiftly snapped up by Marseille last summer, although the move has not worked out. Since been touted for a return to the UAE, with Al Wahda once reported suitors.
Luiz Adriano (Shakhtar Donetsk)
The prolific Brazilian striker, 28, has been a huge hit in Ukraine, helping Shakhtar Donetsk to six league titles. Would undeniably excel in the UAE, given his pace and prowess in front of goal. Al Ahli have reportedly begun negotiations, although they apparently face competition from Italy’s Roma, Inter Milan and AC Milan. His contract expires in December.
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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
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
The biog
Year of birth: 1988
Place of birth: Baghdad
Education: PhD student and co-researcher at Greifswald University, Germany
Hobbies: Ping Pong, swimming, reading
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Company%20Profile
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Sheikh Zayed's poem
When it is unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, the Standing Tall exhibition will appear as an interplay of poetry and art. The 100 scarves are 100 fragments surrounding five, figurative, female sculptures, and both sculptures and scarves are hand-embroidered by a group of refugee women artisans, who used the Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery art of tatreez. Fragments of Sheikh Zayed’s poem Your Love is Ruling My Heart, written in Arabic as a love poem to his nation, are embroidered onto both the sculptures and the scarves. Here is the English translation.
Your love is ruling over my heart
Your love is ruling over my heart, even a mountain can’t bear all of it
Woe for my heart of such a love, if it befell it and made it its home
You came on me like a gleaming sun, you are the cure for my soul of its sickness
Be lenient on me, oh tender one, and have mercy on who because of you is in ruins
You are like the Ajeed Al-reem [leader of the gazelle herd] for my country, the source of all of its knowledge
You waddle even when you stand still, with feet white like the blooming of the dates of the palm
Oh, who wishes to deprive me of sleep, the night has ended and I still have not seen you
You are the cure for my sickness and my support, you dried my throat up let me go and damp it
Help me, oh children of mine, for in his love my life will pass me by.
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The specs: 2018 Genesis G70
Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000
Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
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Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 5 -7
World Sevens Series Pools
A – Fiji, France, Argentina, Japan
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