Tunisia manager Nabil Maaloul believes there is lots of work for Arab sides to do if they are to be competitive at future World Cups. Murad Sezer / Reuters
Tunisia manager Nabil Maaloul believes there is lots of work for Arab sides to do if they are to be competitive at future World Cups. Murad Sezer / Reuters

Arab sides must 'work harder' to improve at World Cup: Tunisia manager Nabil Maaloul



Arab countries are still not at the required level to compete properly at the World Cup, according to Tunisia manager Nabil Maaloul.

None of the four Arab sides in this month’s competition – a World Cup record - made it out of their groups, meaning to date there still has not been an Arab representative in the quarter-finals of the global finals.

Of the 11 matches involving Arab teams, only Saudi Arabia and Tunisia registered victories in Russia, with both coming in their final group match. Saudi Arabia defeated Egypt 2-1 on Monday to finish third, while Tunisia rounded off their campaign with a 2-1 win against Panama on Thursday. They also finished third.

Morocco, meanwhile, drew their last match with Spain but still finished bottom of Group B. With three defeats from three, Egypt were bottom of Group A despite many expecting them to progress.

“We have four Arab teams that are not yet at the required level for the tournament, they still have to work harder and improve their performances,” Maaloul said. “In order to do that, we need to have more of our players in professional leagues so they can learn and grow.

“I don’t think we have high-quality performance, we need to change our lifestyle because it is not in line with high-level football, we need to change the way we train. We need two more generations to reach [the top] level of performance in terms of fitness and physical strength. We are far from the required level.”

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West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')

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Iraq negotiating over Iran sanctions impact
  • US sanctions on Iran’s energy industry and exports took effect on Monday, November 5.
  • Washington issued formal waivers to eight buyers of Iranian oil, allowing them to continue limited imports. Iraq did not receive a waiver.
  • Iraq’s government is cooperating with the US to contain Iranian influence in the country, and increased Iraqi oil production is helping to make up for Iranian crude that sanctions are blocking from markets, US officials say.
  • Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumped last month at a record 4.78 million barrels a day, former Oil Minister Jabbar Al-Luaibi said on Oct. 20. Iraq exported 3.83 million barrels a day last month, according to tanker tracking and data from port agents.
  • Iraq has been working to restore production at its northern Kirkuk oil field. Kirkuk could add 200,000 barrels a day of oil to Iraq’s total output, Hook said.
  • The country stopped trucking Kirkuk oil to Iran about three weeks ago, in line with U.S. sanctions, according to four people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because they aren’t allowed to speak to media.
  • Oil exports from Iran, OPEC’s third-largest supplier, have slumped since President Donald Trump announced in May that he’d reimpose sanctions. Iran shipped about 1.76 million barrels a day in October out of 3.42 million in total production, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
  • Benchmark Brent crude fell 47 cents to $72.70 a barrel in London trading at 7:26 a.m. local time. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was 25 cents lower at $62.85 a barrel in New York. WTI held near the lowest level in seven months as concerns of a tightening market eased after the U.S. granted its waivers to buyers of Iranian crude.
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

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4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

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Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)

Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD

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