Ismail Ahmed is a late fitness worry for the UAE as they prepare to kick off the 2019 Asian Cup against Bahrain on Saturday night at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
The Al Ain captain is suffering from a calf problem and while he trained with the rest of the squad on Thursday, his participation in the opening Group A clash, which starts at 8pm after an opening ceremony, is in doubt according to manager Alberto Zaccheroni.
The Italian told a news conference on Friday: "He has been undergoing treatment with the team physician and joined the team training for the first time on Thursday.
“We will have another look at him tonight in our final training session and then take a decision on him. Otherwise, we have the full squad ready for the action against Bahrain.”
Despite a troubled build-up which saw the side lose their influential midfielder Omar Abdulrahman to a knee injury, Zaccheroni believes his team are well set up for their bid to win the competition for the first time after finishing third in Australia in 2015.
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Read more
UAE's Asian Cup strategy must be to take one step at a time
In pictures: UAE players training ahead of the continental showpiece in Abu Dhabi
Lowdown: Groups, teams, tickets and all you need to know about the tournament
In pictures: Look back on the last time the Emirates host the Asian Cup in 1996
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They were runners-up at the Gulf Cup 12 months ago, their most recent competitive action, and the 65 year old said: "Since then, the Asian Cup hosted by the UAE has been our main objective and we are all waiting for to achieve an outstanding performance.
“The preparation has gone very well. We have had camps both in the UAE and abroad, and have received all the support that we can possibly get from the management.
“Of course, we have had some injury problems to some key players but we are not going to take that as an excuse for poor performances in this championship.”
Zaccheroni led Japan to the Asian Cup title in 2011 but he believes a lot has changed in the footballing landscape on the continent since then.
“The performance of the teams has changed a lot since the last time I managed a team in the Asian Cup,” said the Italian.
“Watching the Asian teams in the 2018 World Cup I can see a lot of improvement in them and many of those teams are in the Asian Games. My guess is, the winner will win on small details.
“As a coach as I said before, I started working with UAE was one year ago. we didn’t play big games but we played in the Gulf Cup and reached the final.
“The team has improved and there is a big change compared to the last time the UAE took part in the Asian Cup.”
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Biog
Age: 50
Known as the UAE’s strongest man
Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”
Hobbies: Drawing, basketball and poetry
Favourite car: Any classic car
Favourite superhero: The Hulk original
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
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MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
