Al Ain resume their Asian Champions League campaign on Tuesday with their match against Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in Tashkent.
Looking to bounce back
Runners-up in last year’s competition, Al Ain were held last week at home 1-1 by Iran’s Zobahank to open their Group C account. The 2003 champions, the only UAE club to lift the trophy, are seeking to make up for their agonising defeat in the Champions League final in November, when they were defeated 3-2 on aggregate by South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Aiming for all three points
“As a team, Al Ain’s personality is linked to its offensive style, and its players have an offensive mindset,” Al Ain manager Zoran Mamic said. “Bunyodkor has exceptional players who are fast and play well collectively. So I expect a tough match from them. We require our players to focus more and be careful, in addition to showing a strong personality and the desire to win.”
Last year is past history
“There are no problems whatsoever,” Mamic said. “The Champions League final was in November and it is only normal for our performance to be slower after the finals. But the real problem lies in the recent injury to a number of key players. We have three international defenders who have suffered injuries after the Asian Champions League final, in addition to Danilo Asprilla, who will be back on the team today.”
Asprilla targets impact
The winger is finally available again following an injury, saying: ”Al Ain has high technical quality in the team and, with all due respect to all other teams, we seek to show our strong personality in the Asian Champions League. We are here to play total football, and show Al Ain’s power in the Asian Champions League as there is no limit to the ambitions of every player in this competition. We hope to achieve the best results that will allow us to fulfil our ambitions.”
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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
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
