DOHA // Zlatko Dalic says his Al Ain players must forget about last month’s Asian Champions League victory against El Jaish and focus only on fighting for a place in the final when the last-four clash reconvenes on Tuesday.
The 2003 champions, seeking to make their third continental final and first in 11 years, hold the advantage against the Qataris going into the semi-final second leg at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium after triumphing 3-1 at home three weeks ago.
El Jaish may be relatively inexperienced at this level — until this season, they had never been beyond the last 16 — but they did defeat Al Ain twice in the group stages earlier this year.
More from the Asian Champions League semi-final:
• Comment: Al Ain cannot afford to rest on first leg lead, El Jaish will make them pay
• Sabri Lamouchi: El Jaish 'must be smart and passionate' to overturn semi-final deficit
• Omar Abdulrahman: Man-of-the-match means nothing — being champions of Asia does
• Video: A fan's view of Omar Abdulrahman's stunning free-kick in the semi-final first leg
The UAE side therefore understand they cannot take anything for granted on Tuesday, especially since they were one round from the final two years ago before being eliminated by Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. Dalic, who was in charge for that tie, warned his side against complacency.
“It will be a big, big game for both teams and a big, big challenge, because we are only 90 minutes away from the final,” Dalic said. “We don’t have any calculations or time to waste. We will play this game like it was 0-0 in the first leg. I don’t even want to think about the first game.
“The game will be open from both sides and it will be a big fight and a fair fight. They have the same targets and the same goal. We will see who is happy after the game.”
Dalic, who has only first-choice right-back Mohammed Ahmed missing, drew encouragement from Al Ain’s away form thus far in the competition. After losing at El Jaish on Matchday 2 in Group D, they are unbeaten outside the UAE, with three wins from four matches. In fact, since Dalic took charge in March 2014, Al Ain have played 30 Champions League fixtures and lost only four times.
“But twice was against Jaish, so there is big respect for our opponents,” Dalic said. “Our only target is to make it to the final. Our goal is to repeat the games we played away in the knockout stages at Lokomotiv and Zobahan. We want to win this game and will play a good game.”
Dalic, meanwhile, denied his UAE internationals will still be reeling from last week’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Saudi Arabia. Al Ain had seven players in Mahdi Ali’s squad, with Ismail Ahmed, Mohanad Salem and Omar Abdulrahman all playing the entire 90 minutes in Jeddah.
Asked if that disappointment could negatively impact his players, Dalic said: “Maybe a little, but it is a different competition. This is a fight for their club for the final. It is now a big challenge for our players, as maybe if they do this it will be the biggest result of their careers.
“Of course, the last result of the national team does not give confidence to my players. But when they come back to their club, they change their mind and they change everything. They will fight for what is in front of us.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Summer special
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
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
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
