One hundred and nineteen minutes gone. One to go. A Champions League final is delicately poised at 1-1. A substitute is being readied on the touchline. His task is simple. Score a penalty.
Twelve months ago, that was the scenario. The replacement in question, Anderson, had barely turned 20. His moment arrived in the shoot-out when Manchester United and Chelsea were locked together at 4-4. It was sudden death. Anderson, and United, survived. His spot-kick was struck with a satisfying thump.
In the process, he revealed the blend of talent and temperament that is the hallmark of Manchester United players. A relish for marque games was apparent when, three months into his United career, he nullified Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium. A still larger task awaits tomorrow when he will be charged with disrupting Barcelona's seductive passing game.
"I'm ready because that is what we do every week," insisted the Brazilian. "We train, we get ourselves ready for the game, we have to be focused and do our best."
Despite the understandable focus on Lionel Messi, Barcelona's domination of possession is a consequence of the distribution of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, and they are Anderson's immediate opponents. "Everybody knows Messi is an outstanding player and he can change the game in any minute," he said. "However, Barcelona have a very strong midfield and it is the team as a whole, not just Messi himself."
Likely to form part of a central trio with the more laid back Michael Carrick and the less aggressive Ryan Giggs, Anderson's importance is exacerbated by the suspension of Darren Fletcher, who was similarly destructive in the semi-final defeat of Arsenal.Anderson, 21, added: "I'm very sad because every player wants to play the final. We are going to do our best to win the trophy for him."
While Fletcher can blend into the background, the same could not be said of the exuberant Anderson. Immediately identifiable by his dread-locked hair, he contributed to an idiosyncratic sense of style by wearing golfing trousers when interviewed.
Cult status arrived long before a guaranteed place in Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Old Trafford often reverberates to the sound of Black Lace's derided 1984 hit, Agadoo, with the lyrics amended to celebrate Anderson and disparage both Fabregas and Kleberson, his predecessor as United's pre-eminent Brazilian. "I do appreciate the fans sing the song for me," he said. "It's great."
After an unexceptional start to the season. Anderson's campaign has been revived in the last three months. A high-energy game is well suited to the more intense occasions and his commitment to the collective is very evident. Indeed, he is far from the stereotypical Brazilian footballer. Despite the image of spectacular long-range shooting, this is a box-to-box midfielder without a goal to his name in his 73 United appearances.
"I scored three," insisted Anderson, who also converted penalties in shoot-outs against Tottenham and Everton this season. "But I'll do anything to help the team. If I can score, even better, but my aim is to help the team succeed." That elusive first goal would, the grinning Anderson said, prompt a celebration that involved running naked around the ground.
Thus far, his shoot-out successes thankfully haven't brought such a reaction. While others, Dimitar Berbatov included, aren't sure if they will volunteer if a second successive Champions League final is determined from 12 yards, the irrepressible Anderson can be pencilled in for another penalty. His reputation has been forged in such moments. His nerveless disposition equips him for them.
rjolly@thenational.ae
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
RACECARD
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (PA) $50,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
6.35pm: Festival City Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
7.10pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic – Listed (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.45pm: Jumeirah Classic Trial – Conditions (TB) $150,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (D) 1,600m
8.55pm: Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Dubai Dash – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,000m
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
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.
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
LUKA CHUPPI
Director: Laxman Utekar
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Cinema
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurana
Rating: 3/5
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The finalists
Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho
Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson
Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid
Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola
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The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in