With less than two weeks remaining until their first match at the Asian Cup, the UAE begin the final stretch of their preparations on Tuesday with a friendly against Jordan.
Tune-ups against Jordan and Kuwait, the latter on Saturday, represent the last chances for UAE coach Mahdi Ali to see his players in competitive situations ahead of their Asian Cup opener against Qatar on January 11.
Mohammed Obaid Hammad Al Dhaheri, the general supervisor of the UAE team, said he was pleased with the progress made during the national side’s training camp in Gold Coast, Australia.
“No doubt, the two encounters are highly important to the coaching staff that will try to put into practice the ideas that they have worked on in the last few days, and make sure the players are prepared physically and technically ahead of the finals,” Al Dhaheri said.
The Jordan and Kuwait friendlies will take place at the Robina Stadium, in the Gold Coast suburbs. The UAE face Qatar and Bahrain in Canberra before closing play in Group C against Iran in Brisbane.
While the results of the matches in Gold Coast mean little, they could yet prove useful. Jordan, who just missed qualifying for this year’s World Cup finals, sit across from the UAE in Group D and could meet Mahdi Ali’s side in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup.
Kuwait, who are in Group A, cannot meet the UAE until the semi-finals.
Al Dhaheri said the friendlies would have competitiveness near that of official matches “as both Jordan and Kuwait are considered strong teams in Asia and have deservedly qualified for the finals”.
The Jordan friendly also offers a first chance for one of the UAE’s goalkeepers to stake their claim to the starting job.
Al Jazira keeper Ali Kasheif is not with the squad after being called in for national service. Kasheif has been Mahdi Ali's first choice between the posts since the London Olympics in 2012, but now the onus is on his counterparts to step in and shore up the UAE defence.
Al Ain keeper Khalid Essa has been Kasheif's back-up in recent squads. Majed Naser of Al Ahli was brought back into the national team fold after struggling with disciplinary problems. Sharjah's Mohammed Yousuf was also selected.
Al Dhaheri said Kasheif not being in the squad was a “disadvantage” to the team but that Naser and Essa were capable of filling in for him.
“The absence of a player or goalkeeper does not affect the team as all players in the squad are waiting for an opportunity to prove their skills,” he said.
The Football Association official made clear that the absence of Kasheif and Ismail Matar, who was injured while playing for Al Wahda, would not drag down expectations.
Al Dhaheri said the objectives for the national team were the same as they were when Mahdi Ali took charge – reaching the semi-finals of the Asian Cup and qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Jordan come into the friendly in need of generating experience after coach Ray Wilkins selected a youthful squad for the Asian Cup.
In choosing his 23-man squad for the tournament, Wilkins left out several experienced players, including Amer Deeb (98 caps), and Hassan Abdel-Fattah (87), as well as Romania-based striker Thaer Bawab.
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Racecard:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.
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History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
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Cracks in the Wall
Ben White, Pluto Press
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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.
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Fixtures
Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA
Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland
Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland
Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA
Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland
Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland
Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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Movie: Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster 3
Producer: JAR Films
Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Sheirgill, Mahie Gill, Chitrangda Singh, Kabir Bedi
Rating: 3 star
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)