After a fairly comfortable start in the Fifa Club World Cup, Al Jazira now face Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal for a chance to face Premier League giants Chelsea in the semi-final.
The UAE champions outclassed Oceania’s representatives AS Pirae 4-1 in the opening game of the competition and meet Al Hilal in the second round at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium on Sunday.
Incidentally, the two teams are appearing in the Club World Cup for the second time. They have crossed paths four times, all in the AFC Asian Champions League, in which the Saudi side holds a 3-0 head-to-head lead with one game drawn.
Jazira manager Marcel Keizer is aware of the challenge and was more hopeful than confident of their chances.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game but I have lots of individuals in my team to be a fairly good and exciting game, I hope,” the Dutchman said during the pre-match conference at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.
“For us, it will be the same as we always do. Hopefully we can score a couple of goals but we know it’s difficult.”
Hilal were held to a scoreless draw by Al Batin in their last game in the Saudi Pro League and are currently lying in third in the league table.
“I can’t judge them from what they do in their league,” Marcel said of their current form in the domestic competition.
“I only know that I saw some games, like I always do, when I prepare my team. We know they are a good team. They have seven foreigners and they are champions of Asia.”
Jazira weren’t stretched by the Tahiti side in the opening match of the Club World Cup but will have to raise their game considerably on Sunday.
“For me, I had two targets in that game,” Keizer said of their win over Pirae.
“The first was to win of course and then try to give some rest to the players who returned the day after playing Iran in the World Cup qualifier.
“Luckily it wasn’t a difficult game. We face another tough game against Hilal.”
Milos Kosanovic, Jazira’s Serbian centre-back, added: “It’s a big game tomorrow. We know everything about them.
“I think everyone is focused and will give their maximum. I’m very confident of my team. It’s going to be a difficult game for us but we are also a good team.”
Leonardo Jardim, Hilal’s Portuguese manager, said the game against Jazira as an important one with a semi-final spot against Chelsea at stake.
“It goes without saying we have prepared the best way we can and we’ll play with our best line-up to show everyone why we are the Asian champions,” he said.
“We know Jazira are a pretty good team. However, we are not going to change our brand of football. There are no injury concerns for the team at the moment and all players on international duty have returned and ready for this game.”
if you go
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
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The%20Specs%20
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Company%20profile
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
