ABU DHABI // There are worse ways to begin a season than with a trophy, but Zlatko Dalic was not entirely happy with the performance of his Al Ain side, even as they won a third title under his coaching.
Al Ain secured their third Arabian Gulf Super Cup of the professional era with a 4-2 triumph over Al Nasr at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday night.
Emmanuel Emenike began the post-Asamoah Gyan age with two goals but Dalic was left expecting more from his foreign contingent, especially former Liverpool star Ryan Babel.
The Netherlands international turned in a classy assist for the opening goal but that was about the sum of his contribution on his competitive debut with Al Ain.
He was subbed before the hour, Dalic unhappy that he had “stopped running”.
“I’m not fully happy how my team played tonight,” Dalic said. “I want more, I want better, especially from my foreign players.
“They need more time but I expect more, especially from Babel.
“He almost stopped running. He was tired and so I made the change.”
Match report: Al Ain's post-Gyan era begins with Arabian Gulf Super Cup triumph over Al Nasr
The weather was punishing. The temperature at kick off was 36° Celsius with a “feels like” temperature of 44°C as the humidity soared after sundown.
Al Ain’s foreign players collectively did better than Al Nasr’s, who were chasing a third trophy in 2015 under Ivan Jovanovic.
The league and President’s Cup winners may feel the final scoreline a bit harsh, but they were punished for several lapses in concentration.
“Of course I’m disappointed but I can’t complain with the effort my players made in difficult conditions at the start of the season,” Jovanovic said.
“The reason we lost the game was when we equalised in the second half, we conceded two quick goals in a short period of time after that.
That made things difficult for us.
“Everyone makes mistakes, mistakes play a great role in football.
“Every mistake we made today, we conceded a goal, and we were playing against a quality team who can take advantage of any mistakes.”
Arabian Gulf League play begins this week with Al Ahli hosting Fujairah on Thursday.
Al Ain are home to Al Dhafra in an early game on Saturday, and Nasr welcome Emirates to the Al Maktoum Stadium later that night.
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The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Racecard
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
9.30pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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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.
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