Ali Kasheif
The experienced Al Jazira goalkeeper is one of the first names on the teamsheet. Having made his debut in 2009, he was a key member of the 2012 Olympics side – chosen as one of Mahdi Ali’s three overage players – and then last year’s Gulf Cup winning team. His leadership qualities have shone as captain.
Amer Abdulrahman
First excelled with the UAE’s age-group sides – an impressive 2009 Under 20 World Cup prompted World Soccer to dub him “the Zidane of the UAE”. The Baniyas star is his national team’s midfield metronome. Set up the winner in the Gulf Cup final.
Walid Abbas
Highly experienced, the Al Ahli defender is dependable, a fine tackler and reads the game superbly. He can play at left-back, or more centrally, and enjoys getting forward. First called up to the national team in 2008, integral in last year’s Gulf Cup and in qualifying for the Asian Cup. Could retire by 2018, though.
Omar Abdulrahman
The UAE’s poster boy, this gifted Al Ain playmaker is the side’s creative fulcrum. Can play anywhere across midfield, but usually in an advanced position because of his eye for a killer pass. Made debut in 2011, starred at the Olympics two years later and then scored the winner in a Gulf Cup semi-final. Voted player of that tournament.
Ahmed Khalil
A powerful striker, the Al Ahli forward has spearheaded a succession of Mahdi Ali’s teams. Debuted for senior national team in 2008, the same year he was named the best young player in Asia. His goals clinched UAE’s spot at the 2012 Olympics, while he scored three in five matches at last year’s Gulf Cup.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus Press
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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.
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
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
