The 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations will end the way it started, with hosts Saudi Arabia taking on Qatar at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
The similarities between the two matches should end there, though.
In the tournament’s opener, the two had played out an uneventful 1-1 draw in Group A, before a disappointing crowd.
With what is at stake on Wednesday night, things should be a lot more amped up, both on the field and in the stands.
Both teams have improved significantly since that opener, which was a forgettable affair.
Saudi Arabia won the group comfortably, steadily improving with each match. But it was in the semi-final against the UAE that they finally stamped their authority on the competition.
The 3-2 win was comfortably the match of the tournament so far, and despite giving up what looked like a decisive two-goal lead, the Saudis came storming back to secure a late win.
Having disposed of the champions, and hoping for a big crowd to urge them on tonight, the home team will be confident that trophy is staying in Riyadh.
Above all, they can count on the excellent form of Al Hilal triumvirate Nasser Al Shamrani, Nawaf Al Abed and Salem Al Dawsari. All three scored against the UAE and have contributed five of Saudi Arabia’s eight goals in the competition. Qatar scraped into the semi-finals thanks to the opening draw and two dismal stalemates against Bahrain and Yemen.
Once there, however, they were a team transformed, overcoming an Omani team on high after defeating Kuwait 5-0.
With Ali Assadalla, who scored the two decisive goals in the 3-1 win over Oman, Qatar have an in-form star of their own.
Qatar manager Djemal Belmadi had been under intense criticism for the team’s form and some of his selections. His decision to bring Assadalla by off the bench early in the second half paid off in style.
Hassan Al Haydos will be a key for Qatar.
Chance for Saudi Arabia to reclaim top status in Arabian Gulf
Having beaten reigning champions UAE in the semi-finals, it is hard to look beyond Saudi Arabia as the likely winners on Wednesday night. in the Gulf Cup of Nations final against Qatar.
Juan Ramon Lopez Caro’s team looks to hold all the advantages. Form and momentum. Home advantage.
And history. There was a time not long ago when Saudi Arabia ruled Asian football, but the last decade has seen them regress.
On Wednesday night, they have a chance to shine again and, with AFC Asian Cup just six weeks away, prove that they are ready to return to former glory.
akhaled@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
RESULTS
West Asia Premiership
Thursday
Jebel Ali Dragons 13-34 Dubai Exiles
Friday
Dubai Knights Eagles 16-27 Dubai Tigers
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
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For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
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with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
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Opening Rugby Championship fixtures: Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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
Lowest Test scores
26 - New Zealand v England at Auckland, March 1955
30 - South Africa v England at Port Elizabeth, Feb 1896
30 - South Africa v England at Birmingham, June 1924
35 - South Africa v England at Cape Town, April 1899
36 - South Africa v Australia at Melbourne, Feb. 1932
36 - Australia v England at Birmingham, May 1902
36 - India v Australia at Adelaide, Dec. 2020
38 - Ireland v England at Lord's, July 2019
42 - New Zealand v Australia in Wellington, March 1946
42 - Australia v England in Sydney, Feb. 1888
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Man United: Sanchez (24' ), Herrera (62')
Spurs: Alli (11')
Naga
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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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets