Saudi Arabia fans pouring into Doha were in an upbeat mood ahead of their opening World Cup match against one of the tournament favourites - Argentina.
Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group C with two-time World Cup winners Argentina, alongside Poland and Mexico.
While most would expect Argentina, with one of the greatest players of all time in Lionel Messi in their line-up, to take the three points, Saudi fans are hopeful of getting a draw, or even a shock win.
To play against Messi in his last World Cup is a big thing for Saudi Arabia... but it will be difficult to escape from this group
Mohammed Algabeyah,
Saudi fan from Jeddah
"We have to play well," said Wael Dowairi, 35, an engineer from Saudi Arabia, which are 51st in Fifa's world football rankings.
"Even though we know Argentina is a tough team, we hope we can get something from the game."
He predicted a 0-0 or 1-1 scoreline but his friend, Abdul Hamam, 37, was more confident and suggested a 2-1 win for Saudi Arabia.
They said Al-Hilal's Salman Al-Faraj and Al-Ittihad's Abdulrahman Al-Aboud would be their most important players.
Fifa has ranked Argentina at number three in the world, while Saudi Arabia currently lie in 51st.
Last month, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met the Saudi national team and told them not to feel stressed and to simply “enjoy” the tournament, adding that the Saudi team find themselves in a difficult World Cup group.
While the Green Falcons overcame AFC heavyweights Japan and Australia in the qualification campaign, they have been goal-shy in recent matches.
They lost friendlies against Colombia and Venezuela by the same 1-0 scoreline and ended up goalless in matches against Ecuador and USA.
Thawab Al Sulemai, 35, a petrochemical engineer, said it was important that they believe in themselves.
"They trust in themselves and they can do anything," he told The National.
"I have tickets for our next two games and if possible I will get another to see all matches in the group stage."
Dr Mohammed Algabeyah, a family doctor in Jeddah, said the tough group would make it hard for his country to advance to the last 16, which would match their best performance in the competition from USA 1994 when they were eventually knocked out by Sweden.
“Of course it is a difficult match but we will try to play as good as we can," said Dr Algabeyah. "Argentina is one of the teams expected to win the World Cup.
"To play against Messi in his last World Cup is a big thing for Saudi Arabia.
"I wish my team good luck but it will be difficult to escape from this group.
"We can only hope but this is our sixth World Cup so we have more experience now for these kind of games. Salem Al Dawsari is our man, he can do it for us.”
Fans have travelled in their thousands across the border to Qatar.
More than 780 Saudi Arabia Airlines flights will transport fans to and from Doha.
In Jeddah, local schools and cafes and screening the match. Nationwide, government employees can leave work at midday.
"I took the afternoon off so I can go watch the game with my father, brother and my children. We love football and it's our first game so it's very special to all of us," says Mahmoud Alamri, a retailer in Jeddah.
MATCH INFO
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Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
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Director:Josephine Decker
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Rating:2/5
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Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
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Saracens 57
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
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Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
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Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
The five pillars of Islam
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Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
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How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
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The biog
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
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Guillermo Vilas - 659
Manuel Orantes - 501
Thomas Muster - 422
Rafael Nadal - 399 *
Jose Higueras - 378
Eddie Dibbs - 370
Ilie Nastase - 338
Carlos Moya - 337
Ivan Lendl - 329
Andres Gomez - 322
Our legal consultants
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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