The UAE’s place in the Asian Games round of 16 as one of the two teams in the three-team group is effectively booked, even as they prepare for the test against Jordan in Incheon, South Korea, on Thursday.
After the UAE'sir 5-0 romp over India in the opener they face Jordan and coach Ali Ibrahim said his side can take that momentum forward for a first-place finish in Group G.
“This game is of extreme importance for us to avoid a tougher game in the knockout round of the competition,” Ali Ibrahim said.
“It is Jordan’s first game and they will have the same thought as they play India next. They are familiar opponents. We expect a tougher game and we are prepared for it.”
A first-place finish for the UAE will earn them a knockout-round meeting with the Group H runners-up. That group includes Vietnam, Iran and Kyrgyzstan.
Salim Ali, the Al Jazira midfielder, revealed the upbeat mood in their camp after the good start.
“We have been told to take one game at a time, so the focus is certainly in the next game. That’s the way to go, yet I can’t help thinking of playing in the Olympics,” he said.
“It is not only me, but all my teammates have the same dream. That thought keeps us motivated. We had a great first game and want to build on it.
“We know every game is different, and the more we go forward the tougher becomes the opposition. But when you want to play at the bigger stage, we should be able to win against any opponent. That’s what we are trying to do.
“We will do everything within our capabilities to win the three points from Jordan.”
The UAE won the silver medal in China four years ago and a passage to the London Olympics in 2012.
The Asian Games tournament is similar to the Olympics, with an Under 23 squad being supplemented by three over-age players.
It was the three over-age players – the captain Saeed Al Kathiri, Bandar Al Ahbabi and Sultan Bargash – who did the bulk of the work in their opening game. The UAE coach will need a major contribution from Salim Ali and the rest of the line-up to achieve their objective of finishing on top of the group.
apassela@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
The Buckingham Murders
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Liverpool 0
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Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
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Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
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Company%20Profile
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if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
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Director: Todd Phillips
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Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
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