A video of Theyab Awana's back-heeled penalty has been racking up YouTube hits and has made him a mini web celebrity. But beyond that, the Baniyas midfielder's showboating was utterly pointless. It was disrespectful to opponents Lebanon.
Players should never be discouraged from expressing themselves. The likes of Robinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are the players fans pay to see. They can do something special your average player cannot.
But their skills invariably come with an end product. Ronaldo may do seven step overs to get past his full-back, but he will top it off with a shot on goal or a cross.
Being able to score a penalty with your heel, while innovative, is a skill that will never be relevant in a competitive setting. Picture the scene: the UAE face a penalty shoot-out for a spot at the London Olympics. Awana steps up to take the vital kick. Would he take it with his heel? Of course not. The stakes would be too high. So why do it when the pressure is off?
This match was preparation for the serious business of World Cup qualifying, yet Awana's spot-kick was anything but serious.
You can practise penalties in training, but the experience of taking one in a match setting is invaluable. Awana should have taken it.
Also, Lebanon are ranked 177th in the world and the UAE were leading 5-2.
In American Football, when a team has such a big lead, a coach will take his best players off so as not to rub the opponents' faces in it.
Maybe Awana should have considered this and taken a rather less conspicuous spot kick.
sports@thenational.ae
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.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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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.
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Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs