After Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer lit up the capital city on New Year's Day with an absorbing game of tennis, the action now shifts to the Rashid Stadium in Dubai where Italian giants AC Milan play the Pro League's Al Ahli in the Emirates Challenge Cup tonight.
On the pitch for the Serie A leaders will be the likes of Alexandre Pato and Robinho, the two Brazilian stars, as well as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the two-time Player of the Year in Italy.
But fans will not see Ronaldinho, who left the Milan training camp in Dubai yesterday, reportedly to finalise a move to Gremio, his former club in Brazil.
The former world player of the year joined the Rossoneri in 2008 but has failed to recapture his form of old.
Massimiliano Allegri, the Milan coach, who has left the 30-year-old Ronaldinho on the bench for much of the season, told Sky Italia: "Maybe there was a lack of willingness on his part. I was convinced that Ronaldinho could have a great season. He started well, with a balanced side, but then everyone has to take their own responsibility."
Allegri is set to field his strongest line-up against the five-time UAE league champions so his side are well prepared when they resume the second half of the Serie A season with a game against Cagliari on Thursday.
"We must use this camp in Dubai well and must train hard and work well because the season ahead is tough," Allegri said.
"We may lead the Serie A, but the second half of the season is where things can change and we must be aware of that. Nothing is easy in world football. We are excited to be here in Dubai as we prepare for our upcoming season. We know this match will provide us with the challenge we need to be the top of our division this season."
Ibrahimovic said: "So far Dubai has been excellent for us, we are working very hard here. The team is feeling good and the weather is nice and sunny, so we are in good spirits.
"At the moment we are No 1, I am very happy about this. This will be our first game since the [winter] break and it will be a good test for us playing against Ahli."
Ahli are also taking a break from the Pro League to allow national team players to take time off to prepare for the Asian Cup in Qatar from January 7 to 27.
"It is going to be a tough challenge taking on AC Milan, yet we are ready and confident that all spectators will be thrilled with the match and the quality match. Our team is fired up for the challenge," said Fabio Cannavaro, the Ahli and former Italy captain.
David O'Leary, the Ahli coach, said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for our players to play against great players from a great side like Milan.
"I hope the evening will be a great success. I am sure it will be."
apassela@thenational.ae
SHAITTAN
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Ordinary Virtues: Moral Order in a Divided World by Michael Ignatieff
Harvard University Press
Company%20Profile
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
THE%20SPECS
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Copa del Rey
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
