Herve Renard has reminded his players that they have the chance to etch their names in history ahead of their determining World Cup clash with Mexico.
The Gulf side, contesting a sixth global finals, go into the match with their central American rivals on Thursday night knowing a win would guarantee a place in the knockout stages – for only the second time in the country’s history.
Saudi, who defeated Argentina in the Group C opener in one of the greatest upsets ever in the global finals, sit third in the standings with three points, behind Argentina on goal difference, while Poland have are top with four points after their victory against Renard’s side on Saturday. Mexico are bottom, with one point.
Speaking on Wednesday, Renard referenced the opportunity to emulate Saudi’s celebrated 1994 team, saying: "Saudi Arabia have a good generation, and the only time the national team qualified for the last 16 was in 1994, so if the players want the fans to remember them, they should write history or they will be forgotten within 30 years.
"All teams are strong, and we still have a chance in the third match. Mexico have a lot of experience in the World Cup, and we have to fight to stay in the tournament."
However, Saudi have been weakened by the absence of several key players.
Captain Salman Al Faraj and full-back Yasser Al Shahrani could not complete the Argentina match through injury, while Mohammad Al Breik picked up knock against Poland. Meanwhile, Abdulelah Al Malki is suspended.
Argentina v Saudi Arabia ratings
"We will miss the efforts of four important players, but as I said before, I have a squad of 26 players, and we have to deal with the matter and fight to qualify tomorrow," Renard said.
The Frenchman, who took charge of Saudi in 2019 and has since signed a contract through until 2027, is well-travelled, with his greatest managerial accomplishments coming in the Africa Cup of Nations. In 2012, Renard surprisingly led Zambia to the title, before guiding Ivory Coast to continental success three years later.
"It is the third [most important match of my career] after the finals in 2012 and 2015, because the defeat in these matches leaves you with regrets and regrets damage your life,” Renard said.
“So we have to be positive and play with determination and spirit with the support of the fans, and the fight for qualification will be until the last minute.”
Renard added with a smile: "So people with fragile hearts should be careful and not watch the match.”
On the threat posed by Mexico, who have qualified for the knockout stages in the past seven World Cups, Renard said: "If you want me to tell you the starting line-up for Mexico, I can. Mexico have a strong team and a great coach [Gerardo Martino] because he previously trained Barcelona, which is not easy.
"You have to give more than 100 per cent and we only think about qualifying. Mexico played really well against Argentina and then [Lionel] Messi came and decided everything.
"We will try to be strong on Mexico's weaknesses and try to exploit them in order to win. We must not feel afraid. Every player should trust himself and his teammate that we can face any team."
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
FINAL SCORES
Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)
Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs
(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)
It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus
To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.
The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.
SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.
But as the video, How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster, demonstrates, it was a case if you fail, try and try again.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
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WISH
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Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa, Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammad Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S24%20ULTRA
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