The UAE must match last month’s memorable performance against South Korea in their quest to come through the 2022 World Cup play-offs and book a place at the global finals, says team manager Yasser Salem.
The national team, aiming to become only the second Emirati side to qualify for a World Cup, sit two matches from football’s showpiece event, with the first play-off to take place on June 7, against Australia in Doha. Should they win, the UAE will face Peru six days later for a place in the World Cup. That match also takes place in Qatar.
Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side advanced to the play-offs by finishing third in Group A in the final round, sealing their spot with a 1-0 victory against group leaders South Korea in the finale in Dubai. It represented only Arruabarrena’s second match in charge.
Speaking on Thursday as the UAE set out preparations for the play-offs, Salem said: “We did a good job against South Korea, so we have to build on that performance for the next game. To play with confidence, with fight, with spirit; we don’t make ourselves small against Australia. Because we have a good example already against South Korea.”
The UAE will have two full weeks in training camp for the Australia game, with the squad meeting on May 24 – the day after the conclusion to the 2021/22 Adnoc Pro League season. Any players selected from Sharjah and Al Wahda will join the camp immediately following their clubs contesting the President’s Cup final on May 27.
The UAE also plan to play a friendly for May 30 or 31 – the opponent is expected to be confirmed this weekend – before travelling to Doha on June 1.
Asked how important it is for the players to fully grasp how close they are to qualifying for the World Cup, Salem said: “This is a very important point. We have to prepare the players for this, because we have to concentrate first on Australia only. Because the Australia game is the key for the next game.
“For us [as technical staff], we have prepared for the whole period, but the players have to concentrate on Australia only. You don’t want to make the mistake of Italy [in their World Cup play-off last month]. They thought about playing Portugal [in the decider] and lost the first game against North Macedonia.”
Salem added: “We have a strong game against Australia; we have to be ready for this game. This camp is very important in every way for the coach, and for us as management, in how to prepare the players physiologically. And also the medical team in terms of player recovery, especially because the camp comes at the end of the season, when in May they play lots of matches with pressure.”
Salem said the fact the play-offs are being staged in Qatar should be an advantage for the UAE.
“This good for us because it’s close for our fans, our supporters, to be with us,” he said. “The pitch will, I think, be air-conditioned, but also the weather, this is a good weapon that we have to use for this game.”
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
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Green ambitions
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
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
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
At a glance
Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
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Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
