Goalkeeper Wang Dalei was once plagued by controversy, but the former bad boy of Chinese football made a dream start to the Asian Cup when he put on a man-of-the-match display against Saudi Arabia.
Tattooed Wang was branded a national disgrace in 2010 when he called fans “dogs” and “morons” after China’s defeat to Japan at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, earning a suspension despite a grovelling apology.
But the Shandong Luneng stopper proved his worth with a vital penalty save in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over the Saudis in Brisbane, a potentially priceless result as they strive to reach the quarter-finals.
Wang’s joy was obvious after he saved Naif Hazazi’s hesitant spot-kick with his legs, a triumphant moment providing the icing on the cake on his 26th birthday.
China cashed in on Wang’s heroics when Yu Hai’s deflected free-kick sailed into the Saudi goal, giving ex-Lyon coach Alain Perrin the perfect start to his first Asian Cup.
“Before the match I got a lot of courage from my coach,” said Wang. “I remember a journalist asked me if I was ready for the tournament and I told him the match on January 10 will tell. Of course, we were lucky but I’d like to congratulate my coach and my brothers.”
China scraped into the Asian Cup on goal difference as the best third-placed team in the qualifying groups, despite a 3-1 defeat by Iraq on the final day.
That loss last March came at the start of Perrin’s tenure but under the Frenchman, China are now unbeaten in 10 matches since June.
Perrin, who steered Lyon to the Ligue 1 title in 2008, gave an indication of the harmony in the Chinese dressing room by revealing the team had clubbed together to buy a gift for birthday boy Wang.
“Of course, we will prepare something for our keeper but we will keep it a secret,” said Perrin. “But today belongs to Wang Dalei. He did really well.
“For me, I had no huge regrets about the match. I’m definitely satisfied with our defending. We faced a lot of pressure from our opponents but we never let in a goal.
“The match was difficult for us but we also got a lot of joy from the match. We put in a lot of (preparation) for this tournament, which was difficult. Every team goes through times when they are in good condition and bad condition. We are moving forward as a team, step by step.”
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Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
MATCH INFO
Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
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Company%20Profile
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SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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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
THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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