Latest news with #FabioLima
Gulf Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE and Uzbekistan play draw at Asian Qualifiers as Australia, Jordan close in
Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation's history on Thursday as a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi ensured Timur Kapadze's side claimed a top two finish in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26. A trio of saves by goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov kept the Emiratis at bay in the second half to take Uzbekistan onto 18 points from nine games and maintain their four-point lead over third-placed UAE with only Tuesday's matches remaining in the third phase of qualifying. The qualification is Uzbekistan's first in eight attempts since the Central Asian nation joined the Asian Football Confederation. The UAE, meanwhile, will advance to the fourth phase of qualifying, where new head coach Cosmin Olaroiu will continue the nation's attempt to book a FIFA World Cup berth for the first time since 1990. With the UAE needing a win to keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification alongside Group A leaders the Iran, it was Fabio Lima who had an early sight of goal for the hosts, the striker shooting straight at Yusupov. An early injury saw Oston Urunov replaced by Abbosbek Fayzullaev and the substitute almost unlocked the UAE defence in the 26th minute, exploiting the space down the left to pull the ball across the face of goal. But none of his teammates were able to capitalise. It was Uzbekistan who went closest in the 54th minute as Khojiakbar Alijonov slipped the ball through Majed Hassan's legs before curling over a cross that Fayzullaev rose to meet with a powerful header, only for the ball to thump back off the bar. The hosts, however, started to turn the screw as Olaroiu's side pushed for the goal that would deliver a win that would keep the UAE's dwindling chances of automatic qualification alive. Yusupov was on hand to prevent the UAE from taking the lead as the game approached the hour mark, diving to his left to keep out Lucas Pimenta's close range header after Fabio Lima's testing free kick into the penalty area. And the Uzbekistan goalkeeper saved another strike by Fabio Lima that the Brazil-born attacker attempted to bend into the bottom corner with time ticking down, Yusupov pushing the ball to safety to seal his nation's historic progress. Earlier, Aziz Behich's last-minute winner earned Australia a 1-0 victory over already-qualified Japan in Perth on Thursday as the Socceroos took a huge stride towards claiming an automatic berth at next year's FIFA World Cup from Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26. The Melbourne City defender bent in a 90th minute winner from 12 yards out to delight the 57,226 crowd at Perth Stadium, moving Tony Popovic's side onto 16 points from nine games with the Socceroos due to play Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday. Australia now stand on the cusp of qualifying after handing the Japanese their first defeat of the campaign, and Saudi Arabia must win against Bahrain later on Thursday to delay the Socceroos' celebrations. Popovic made three changes to the side that won 2-0 against China PR in March, with Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay ruled out due to injury, prompting the selection of Connor Metcalfe and Alessandro Circati. With qualification secured, Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu made a host of changes to his starting line-up with Daichi Kamada and Koki Machida the only recognisable regulars selected. Despite fielding a side featuring newly capped players Hiroki Sekine, Yu Hirakawa and Kota Tawaratsumida, it was the Samurai Blue in the ascendancy throughout the opening 45 minutes as Moriyasu's side dominated without possessing a cutting edge. Yuki Ohashi, making only his second appearance for Japan, launched a speculative effort from wide on the left in the 16th minute that flew over Maty Ryan's crossbar while Sekine was quick to snuff out a glimmer of an opportunity for Martin Boyle at the other end. Yuito Suzuki powered towards the Australian goal in the 29th minute only to pull his shot wide of Ryan's left post from the edge of the area. The Socceroos had seen little of the ball but, on a rare sortie into Japanese territory, Ryan Teague delivered a corner into the penalty area that Connor Metcalfe glanced wide of Kosei Tani's goal. A diving Ryan was relieved to see Hirakawa's low strike from 25 yards out drift wide while Kamada dragged his attempt off target on the turn with a little over two minutes left in the half. Hirakawa then warmed Ryan's hands with another effort moments later. Australia failed to make the most of a mistake by Tani early in the second half, the goalkeeper gifting possession to the Socceroos but Behich thumped woefully off target as he ventured forward. Ohashi blazed another attempt wide before the introduction of Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura briefly injected added creativity into the Japan team. Kubo almost struck with 10 minutes remaining after the Australian defence only half-cleared a ball into the penalty area, the Real Sociedad man shooting wide with Ryan little more than a spectator. Suzuki ballooned his attempt into the sky soon after. Australia pushed forward in the dying moments and, after substitute Riley McGree cut the ball back from the byeline towards Behich, the full-back swept his right-foot shot past Tani to spark scenes of jubilation on the bench. Meanwhile, a year out from kick-off, Iranian football fans are watching their World Cup dream slip away after a US travel ban barred them from entering the land of "Great Satan" to cheer on their team. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but most matches, including the final, are scheduled to be played on American soil. Many in Iran had clung to hopes of cheering from the stands until Wednesday when US President Donald Trump rolled out a new travel ban on 12 countries including Iran, which will take effect from Monday. "My friends and I have been waiting for years to watch Team Melli (a nickname for the national team) play in a World Cup on US soil, and when they qualified, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Sohrab Naderi, a real estate agent in Tehran, told AFP. Now with the new travel ban, that dream is shattered because of politics that we don't care about and have no control over," said the 46-year-old who attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which saw the US side defeat Iran 1-0 in the group stage. The prospect of Iran competing in a US-hosted tournament comes against the backdrop of a decades-long enmity, with diplomatic ties broken since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The two sides are currently engaged in high-stakes talks over Iran's nuclear programme, with the United States threatening military action if no deal can be reached. Trump said the new travel ban was prompted by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that US authorities blamed on a man they said was in the country illegally. The ban will not apply to athletes competing in either the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the order said. Nonetheless, supporters who had dreamed of crossing the Atlantic to cheer on their team will no longer be able to make the trip. "Every Iranian has the right to support their team, just as much as any other country, whether the game is in America or in any other country," said Hasti Teymourpour, a 16-year-old football fan. Since his return to office in January, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Iran and vowed that "something bad" would happen unless the Iranians "move quickly" towards a nuclear deal. Naderi, who called the ban "inhumane" and "degrading to all Iranians", still hopes the Iran-US nuclear talks will yield a deal that might persuade Trump to reconsider. The outcome of the US-Iran talks that began in April remains unclear, and many fans worry that even if they result in a deal, it may be too late for them. Some Iranians have refused to give up hope, however, seeing in the World Cup an opportunity to thaw relations. "Sports diplomacy can act as a strong catalyst and bring the efforts of political diplomats to fruition sooner," said political commentator Mohammad Reza Manafi. It could be "a great opportunity to help advance diplomacy between the two countries". In a memorable 1998 World Cup clash, Iranian players handed flowers to their American adversaries and posed together for photos -- a rare public gesture of goodwill between the nations. Iran won 2-1, a victory celebrated in Tehran as a source of both sporting and political pride. With the 2026 draw expected in December, it remains unclear whether Iran and the United States will face off again, but anticipation is building. "The two countries are not hostile to each other, this political discussion is for the governments," said 44-year-old day labourer Siamak Kalantari. Another fan, Mahdieh Olfati, said: "If we face the US again, we'll definitely win." "Ours are real players," the 18-year-old added. Manafi, the commentator, said a friendly before the tournament, possibly hosted by a third country, could help ease tensions. Such a game, he said, could help "achieve what politicians from both sides have not managed to do for years". Agencies
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sofa Digital Adds Three Specialty Film Channels, as FAST Markets, Led by Samsung TV Plus, Boom in Brazil (EXCLUSIVE)
Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL — Brazilian indie specialty channel network Sofa Digital will announce in Rio2C 2025 the launch of three new specialty channels on platforms of free advertising-supported streaming television (FAST) in Brazil. Filmelier TV Esperanca, Filmelier TV Paixao and Filmelier TV Vida Real will be added to the FAST platforms Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, TCL Channels, Pluto TV and Roku Channels, Fabio Lima, CEO of Sofa, told Variety. More from Variety Brazil Emerges as FAST Streaming Powerhouse, Set to Soon Become Its Second Biggest International Market in the World (EXCLUSIVE) Rio2C's Industry Pitching Captures a Brazil Intent on Remembering the Forgotten, Its Slaves, Extraordinary Artists and an Emblematic Guerrilla Fighter O2 Filmes to Produce a Biopic of Samba Star Elza Soares: 'If She Were American, She Would be Compared to Ella Fitzgerald'(EXCLUSIVE) As the original Filmelier TV, the three new channels will feature programs with 24-hours of indie pics dubbed to Portuguese. Filmelier TV Esperanca (Hope) will have pics with plots centered on faith and the overcoming of difficulties. Filmelier TV Paixao (Passion) will offer romantic comedies, crime of passion plots and other films alike. Filmelier TV Vida Real (True Life) will have biopics, docs, and war and historical films, said Lima. The three specialty channels are gradually boarding the different FAST platforms in Brazil, as well as in Mexico and other Latin American countries with feeds in Spanish, he said. With the new additions, Sofa now has a total seven FAST channels. Heavily involved in Rio2C as it focuses on FAST channels, one of the biggest growth axes in Brazil, Lima will be the subject of a Rio2C fireside chat delivering tips on creating a FAST channel on May 27. He delivers a masterclass on building streaming audiences two days later and talks on a panel analyzing streaming economics on May 30. FAST is booming in Brazil, where the sector leader is Samsung TV Plus. South Korean-based Samsung Electronics, the leading seller of smart TV devices in the world and in Brazil, launched Samsung TV Plus in South Korea in 2015, according to Aline Jabbour, director of Samsung TV Plus for Latin America. The company then deployed the services in Europe and the U.S., also launching in Brazil in 2020. The platform is now available in 30 countries and has 88 million active users, defined as viewers connected at least 15 minutes per day. Brazil is in the second position on Samsung TV Plus' ranking, behind only the US, totalling 22.4 million active users, she said, which means 89.6 million potential customers watch the platform's programming. Samsung TV Plus' lineup in Brazil consists of about 120 channels of different types. It has channels available in pay-TV, such as CNN Brasil and Record News and indie specialty channels, such as Sofa's bouquet. Some channels originated in YouTube, Instagram and other social media, such as Case TV, which has the rights for Brazil of some top sports events. The platform also includes single IP (intellectual property) channels, which focus on a single program, such as 'Os Dez Mandamentos' (a TV Record telenovela), 'Malhacao' (a TV Globo soap opera/telenovela) and 'MasterChef.' Telenovela channels lead the audience on Samsung TV Plus in Brazil, followed by news, film and kids channels, Jabbour said. But sports channels, namely Case TV, can lead the audience when it airs important live soccer matches and during the Summer Olympics. Lima and Jabbour attribute the FAST boom in Brazil to several factors. First, the service is free, which is key to the success in a country in development such as Brazil, where consumers are notoriously price sensitive. The service is easy to access. As soon as you turn on the TV set, a show pops up on screen, and it is simple to navigate and select another channel. Brazilians are used to free-to-air TV and to watching shows with advertising breaks, including films – as long as they do not interrupt a soccer match. Finally, the channels are segmented. 'Curators organize the content to specific audiences. We are at a state of the industry in which the curatorial work is key. Curatorship is the new distribution,' Lima told Variety. Jabbour stresses the successful business model of FAST, which is based on segmented advertising. Samsung uses an automatic content recognition (ACR) software to collect data from each smart TV. The software monitors what the viewers of each device are watching, if subscribed streamers, such as Netflix or Prime Video or pay-TV, open-TV or FAST channels, and it can even recognize if the viewers are playing a video game. It points out what channels and the specific shows the viewers watch. 'We don't know who is watching, but we know exactly the consumer habits of each device. Advertising is much more sophisticated in FAST than in open TV,' said Jabbour. 'FAST is an evolution of open TV and pay TV, combined with the modern advantages of streaming. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Sharjah 24
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Sultan Adil leads UAE National Team to victory over North Korea
Last-Gasp Winner in Stoppage Time UAE national team clinched a thrilling win in the 98th minute, thanks to Sultan Adil's decisive goal on Tuesday in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers. The match started with Fabio Lima opening the scoring in the 5th minute, giving the team an early lead. However, North Korea equalised in the 44th minute through Kim Yu-Song , setting up a tense second half. Standings After the Victory With this win, UAE national team now sits in third place with 13 points, while North Korea remains at the bottom of the group with just 2 points. Meanwhile, in the same group, Iran and Uzbekistan played out a 2-2 draw, bringing Iran's tally to 20 points, keeping them at the top of the table, while Uzbekistan follows in second place with 17 points. In another match, Kyrgyzstan defeated Qatar 3-1, moving up to 6 points in fifth place, while Qatar remains in fourth with 10 points.
Associated Press
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Expert Fabio Lima Expands Gracie Barra Legacy in Columbia, Missouri
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert and 3rd-degree black belt Fabio Lima brings elite training to Columbia, Missouri. As head instructor of Gracie Barra Columbia, he continues a historic lineage while shaping the next generation of martial artists through advanced techniques and a strong focus on self-defense. Missouri, United States, March 22, 2025 -- A Distinguished Lineage in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fabio Lima's journey in martial arts began in his home country of Brazil, where he trained under coral belt Master Carlos Liberi, a direct student of Grand Master George Gracie. With this prestigious background, Professor Lima has spent decades refining his skills, particularly in back takes and submissions—techniques that have earned him recognition in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community. Before moving to the United States, Lima owned and operated his own Gracie Barra academy in Brazil, where he trained thousands of students and introduced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to over 200 children daily at a local elementary school. His formal education includes a degree in Physical Education and a postgraduate degree in Sports Nutrition, allowing him to integrate a scientific approach into his training methods. Establishing Gracie Barra Columbia as a Leading Martial Arts Academy Now at the helm of Gracie Barra Columbia, Lima is elevating the standard of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in Missouri. His academy, part of the global Gracie Barra network with over 1,000 locations worldwide, provides a structured curriculum focused on technical mastery, self-discipline, and real-world self-defense applications. Lima's emphasis on self-defense is a defining feature of his teaching philosophy. Recognizing the growing need for practical self-protection skills, he has dedicated himself to ensuring that students—particularly women and children—gain confidence and the ability to defend themselves effectively. 'Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more than a sport; it's a tool for empowerment and self-improvement,' says Lima. 'My goal is to make these life-changing skills accessible to as many people as possible.' An Avid Competitor and Dedicated Practitioner Beyond his role as an instructor, Fabio Lima remains an active competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Traveling regularly to compete in prestigious tournaments around the world, Lima continues to test his skills against the best athletes in the sport. His commitment to competition not only keeps him sharp but also serves as an inspiration to his students, showing them the importance of perseverance, discipline, and continuous learning. Lima's competitive spirit is an integral part of his teaching, as he instills the values of hard work and dedication into every class he leads. A Community Leader and Mentor Lima's influence extends beyond the walls of his academy. As a mentor and advocate for martial arts education, he fosters a positive and disciplined learning environment that attracts students of all ages. His engaging teaching style, combined with his deep knowledge of the sport, has made Gracie Barra Columbia a respected institution in the community. Outside of teaching, Lima enjoys spending time with his wife, Lais, and son, Theo. His warm demeanor and dedication to his students have made him not only a respected instructor but also a valued member of the Columbia community. About Gracie Barra Columbia Gracie Barra Columbia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense is a premier martial arts academy dedicated to teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and self-defense. As part of the worldwide Gracie Barra network, the academy provides structured training programs designed for students of all ages and experience levels. Media Contact Fabio Lima Head instructor-Professor, Gracie Barra Columbia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Contact Info: Name: Fabio Lima Organization: Gracie Barra Columbia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense Release ID: 89155863
