Zlatko Dalic, the Al Ain coach, said his side are fully prepared for Friday’s rescheduled Super Cup clash with Al Ahli, despite it taking place during one of the busiest periods of the season.
The Garden City club come into the match at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on the back of a relatively hectic schedule, as they seek success in the Arabian Gulf League and the Asian Champions League.
Thriving in both, Al Ain possess a four-point lead at the top of the domestic standings with six rounds remaining, while they sit at the summit of their group in the continental competition, too. The matches have therefore continued at a swift pace: since the Arabian Gulf League restarted on February 4, Al Ain have played 10 times in seven weeks.
The timing of the Super Cup could then be viewed as an inconvenience. Traditionally the opening fixture of the UAE football season, it was postponed last September because of Al Ain’s involvement in the 2014 Champions League.
Dalic, though, insists his side are focused on sealing what they hope will be their first piece of silverware this term.
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“It’s a special game to play, even though it is not usually at this part of the season,” he said. “It comes between many games in the league and the Champions League, which is not easy for us, but we have to accept everything. Our target is to win the game. Nothing can distract us from that.
“There are many games for my team in a short time. We now have four competitions [including the President’s Cup], but we are a big club. We have to accept that and do as good a job as we can.”
Al Ain’s immediate task should be made more manageable by the return of Omar Abdulrahman. The playmaker missed the past two matches because of injury, but he has recovered in time to face Ahli.
However, Al Ain expect to be without Asamoah Gyan for the encounter. Like Abdulrahman, the Ghanaian sat out the club’s two most recent victories, although he is still struggling for fitness following an infection.
Irrespective of the absentees — Miroslav Stoch is also unavailable — Dalic is confident his squad possesses enough strength in depth to trouble Ahli.
“Our destiny this season has been to play every game without some player in the team,” he said. “But until now my players have done a great job in all competitions. Omar and Gyan have missed many games, but I hope now they will make a final push this season. They will help us try to win in the league, the President’s Cup and Champions League.”
Before that, Ahli should effort a stern test, even though they have struggled all season. The Dubai club may be UAE champions, but they currently lie sixth in the standings, and have won only twice in the past 10 matches in all competitions. Yet Dalic has still warned his side against complacency.
“I’m sure the Ahli team will be different tomorrow to how it plays in the league,” he said. “It’s a big chance for them to fix their season. They are a big team, also.”
Meanwhile, Cosmin Olaroiu used his pre-match media briefing to express concerns about Friday’s referee, Yaqoub Al Hammadi. Al Hammadi officiated the league encounter between the two sides in October, a match in which he sent off Carlos Munoz and Olaroiu in stoppage time.
“Yaqoub’s record in recent games is not good, where he sent off Munoz without reason and then sent me away … he has several precedents with Ahli,” Olaroiu said. “I spoke with the players for 20 minutes about Al Ain, and 20 minutes about the referee, but we have prepared well for dealing with his decisions.
“I am confident in how the players have worked as a team and in our ability to overcome all problems.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The five pillars of Islam
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
No.6 Collaborations Project
Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
