World

Al Nassr 4 Al Ahli 3: The takeaways from a high-scoring game

It was yet another goal-fest in the Saudi Pro League on Friday night as Al Nassr edged past rivals Al Ahli in a hugely entertaining clash at Al-Awwal Park. A brace each from Cristiano Ronaldo and Talisca secured a 4-3 victory that saw Al Nassr celebrate the Saudi National Day weekend in style and climb above their opponents on the points table on goal difference.
Here are three key talking points from an action-packed encounter in Riyadh.

Ronaldo rises to the occasion

He failed to find the net in Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League victory over Persepolis earlier this week, but with Cristiano Ronaldo, goals are never far away. While the match in Tehran was played behind closed doors with no fans, Al Nassr’s Al-Awwal Park was packed to the rafters on Friday, with the Portuguese superstar clearly relishing the occasion.
The pitch is Ronaldo’s stage and in front of his adoring supporters, he put on a memorable show that began with a goal within five minutes. Green flares were set off on the stands before kick-off, and it provided just the right kind of atmospheric backdrop as Ronaldo moved through the mist to put his side ahead with a smart left-footed strike. Amid the smoke, Ronaldo’s iconic ‘siuu’ celebration lit up the stadium.
His second strike of the night was another fine individual effort that came just as Al Ahli looked to be clawing their way back into the game at 3-2 – thanks to a Riyad Mahrez penalty. However, just two minutes after that spot-kick, Ronaldo turned smartly on the edge of the box to open up a yard of space before rifling another low left-footed effort past Al Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo in action. (Reuters)

It helped Al Nassr seal all three points, with Ronaldo now three goals clear at the summit of the Saudi Pro League scoring charts. He has netted 23 times in 22 league outings since arriving at Al Nassr in January, averaging a goal every 86 minutes!
Ronaldo is maybe 38 years old, but the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United star remains a player who always rises to the occasion.
“For the fans, it was an amazing match,” Ronaldo said afterwards. “We are happy, we are now at the top of the table. I still love football, even with my age. I still love to win, to score goals, but the most important is the team.”

Talisca the talisman

Before Ronaldo, there was Talisca. For 18 months prior to Ronaldo’s arrival, it was the Brazilian attacker whom Al Nassr fans turned to for moments of inspiration. Since his move from Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande in 2021, Talisca has been a talisman for Al Nassr, scoring 20 league goals in each of his first two seasons.
He may now be an understudy to Ronaldo, but Talisca showed with his double against Al Ahli that he can still provide his side a creative spark when needed. The first goal demonstrated his physicality and athleticism as he powerfully headed home after Aymeric Laporte nodded it across the goalmouth.

Al Nassr’s Anderson Talisca and Sadio Mane in action with Al Ahli’s Roger Ibanez. (Reuters)

In contrast, Talisca’s second strike was simply indicative of his raw talent. Picking up the ball on the right side of the Al Ahli penalty box, he cut inside onto his left-foot and shattered a thunderous effort past Mendy.
Talisca’s night could have been tarnished after he carelessly gave away a penalty after tripping Bassam al-Haryaii. However, the Brazilian will instead be remembered for the brilliance of his goal as Al Nassr held on for the win.

Al-Ahli back to where they belong

It sent shockwaves through Saudi football when Al Ahil were relegated from the top flight for the first time in their history last year. But thanks to some great business in the transfer market after winning immediate promotion back to the Saudi Pro League, their loyal fans have been rewarded this season with a team that looks very much in command in the elite division.
They battled right to the final whistle on Friday, with only the woodwork denying Riyad Mahrez a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer. And while Al Nassr dominated possession, Al Ahli engineered plenty of opportunities. Had heads been cooler in front of the goal, Matthias Jaissle’s side could well have scripted an impressive away win.
Among the major positives for the side was a first goal for Firas al-Buraikan since his recent move from Al Fateh. It was a particularly sweet strike, given that al-Buraikan had joined Al Nassr at the age of 11 and spent 10 years at the Riyadh outfit before moving on in 2021.

Al Ahli’s Roberto Firmino in action. (Reuters)

Al Ahli certainly has enough attacking talent to be competitive this season and although there are obvious issues in their defense that need rectification – nine goals have been conceded in their past two away games – their performance so far has shown that they have returned to where they belong.
Read more:

Meet the Saudi clubs chasing AFC Champions League glory

Ronaldo helps Al Nassr to historic Asia Cup win against Persepolis in Iran

Saudi Pro League: Neymar’s debut, Ronaldo’s strikes and good start by Gerrard

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM