Quarter-finals: Wales v Belgium, Friday, 11pm (UAE time)
Toulouse // Kevin de Bruyne wants Belgium's Euro 2016 quarter-final clash with Wales to be like a home game – the Lille stadium is just 100 kilometres from the Belgian border.
A wave of Belgians is expected to cross the frontier to invade the French city to watch their country take on opponents that De Bruyne called “a technically and defensively astute side.”
Belgium are on a high after their 4-0 rout of Hungary on Sunday that saw Chelsea forward Eden Hazard produce an inspirational display as captain. De Bruyne is counting on the side to produce more of the same.
“I can’t wait for this match, which will be like a home match for us because it’s right on the Belgian border. We’re expecting a lot of fans. We hope we can go all the way in this tournament.”
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The one-sided performance against Hungary in Toulouse has encouraged Belgian hopes that they can emulate their 1980 feat of reaching the final, when they lost to West Germany.
As plaudits poured down on Belgium afteer the dazzling display, manager Marc Wilmots was quick to send a word of caution.
“We’re into the quarter-finals, but we’ve done nothing yet,” said Wilmots, who will be without defender Thomas Vermaelen after he picked up a yellow card to trigger a one-match suspension.
But Belgium head to Lille as favourites – and Wales manager Chris Coleman is happy about that after his side laboured to a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland when they were favourites.
“We were edgy going into the Northern Ireland game as we were expected to win and we work better as the underdog,” Coleman said.
“We have proved that – and people will expect Belgium to win. They had some criticism coming into the tournament and they lost the first game [against Italy].
“But if you have a squad with that quality then any team you play against, apart from maybe two or three, Belgium are favourites.”
But after some topping their group ahead of England, and beating Russia 3-0, Wales will fancy their chances, and Belgian star Yannick Carrasco agrees.
Belgium, who played Wales both in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 qualifying, failed to win any of their last three meetings against the British side.
Wales also held Belgium twice in Brussels and won 1-0 in Cardiff just over a year ago when Gareth Bale hit the winner.
As a striker with Atletico Madrid, Carrasco knows Real Madrid forward Bale well.
Carrasco said: “Every match is different. Against the Welsh, we have to produce the same performance. They’re a compact and well-drilled side. They’re not going to give us a lot of space. And of course, they have Bale.”
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More on Quran memorisation:
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
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- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
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The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
if you go
The flights
Air France offer flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Cayenne, connecting in Paris from Dh7,300.
The tour
Cox & Kings (coxandkings.com) has a 14-night Hidden Guianas tour of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It includes accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, a local tour manager and guided sightseeing. Contact for price.
