Mahdi Ali will attempt to mastermind the UAE's qualification for the 2018 Fifa World Cup after he signed a new three-year deal to remain as national team coach.
The Emirati’s original contract was to expire this summer, and a delay in negotiations with the Football Association had prompted speculation that an agreement would not be reached.
However, the FA announced on their website late Wednesday that Mahdi Ali had indeed signed an extension, while also confirming they had accepted the resignation of Ali Ibrahim, the former Olympic team coach. Abdullah Misfir, previously the manager at Al Dhafra, was appointed to the role earlier this month.
The news Mahdi Ali has renewed his contract will be welcomed by both the national team’s players and UAE fans, especially following last month’s encouraging Asian Cup campaign.
In Australia, the UAE reached the semi-finals, before losing to the hosts. They later secured third place with victory in the play-off against Iraq, which cemented their highest finish on foreign soil. Currently at 66th in the Fifa world rankings, they are considered the fifth best team on the continent.
Mahdi Ali, a former international midfielder, has been integral to the UAE’s recent success. Having thrived both regionally and internationally with a number of age-group teams, in 2012 he guided the Under-23 side to their first Olympic Games. A string of fine performances in London convinced the FA to reward Mahdi Ali with promotion to the senior team – from there he led the UAE to Gulf Cup success in January 2013.
Mahdi Ali’s next assignment is helping his promising crop of players qualify for the World Cup in three years’ time. The UAE, who enter at the second-round stage, will discover who they face on the road to Russia when the draw is made on April 11. The qualifiers, which serve a dual function for both the World Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup, begin in June. The UAE have appeared at the global finals only once before, in 1990.
Speaking after last month’s Asian Cup, Mahdi Ali said: “We played three games against teams who qualified for the World Cup in Japan, Iran and Australia. We played well in these three games and there was no big gap between the teams. This gives us the confidence to qualify for the next World Cup.
“We have to work hard and plan better than before as it will be hard with the new draw system where you have a group of eight. It’s a good chance for us to qualify for Russia as we have a good generation.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
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Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
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