The UAE will host the remaining Group A World Cup qualifiers after China requested they be transferred because of reported Covid-19 infections among two of the teams competing.
The Asian Football Confederation confirmed on Tuesday that the seven outstanding matches will be moved to Sharjah following detailed discussions with the Football Association on Monday. The FA decided to stage the matches only after consultation with the relevant authorities in the UAE.
AFC general secretary Windsor John, said: “These are indeed unprecedented times for everyone, and, on behalf of the AFC, I would like to thank the UAE FA for agreeing to host the Group A matches of the Asian Qualifiers.
“The UAE FA’s commitment to host the matches within such a short lead time is testament to their spirit of understanding and organisational excellence, and we are confident that they will provide the best possible environment for our teams and players.
“The AFC outlined its desire to ensure the safe and successful resumption of the Asian Qualifiers and we are determined to deliver on our plans, keeping in mind the highest health protocols, for the benefit of all our participating teams, players, fans and key stakeholders.”
The qualifiers, originally set for the eastern city of Suzhou, had to be relocated after the Chinese Football Association reported that two of their Group A rivals, Maldives and Syria, had positive Covid-19 results in their respective camps. The second round of qualification, repeatedly postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, has been moved to centralised venues.
Group A was to resume on Thursday, but the matches will now be rescheduled after discussions with the participating teams and mandatory quarantine measures. Sharjah Stadium will provide the venue.
China are second in the standings, five points off Syria. They still have to play Maldives, Philippines and Syria. Guam, bottom of the standings, make up the group.
Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri, the FA general secretary, said: “The United Arab Emirates Football Association is delighted to host the Group A matches of the Asian Qualifiers in the spirit of Asian unity and solidarity.
“We have demonstrated with the hosting of more than 14 national teams’ camps and international friendly matches in preparations for the World Cup qualifiers, the advanced football infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.
“In addition, the AFC Champions League [West] in Sharjah [in April] showcased the capabilities of the UAE in staging world-class competitions. We look forward to welcoming the participating teams and being the only country in Asia to hosts two groups of the Asian qualifiers.”
Group G, which features the UAE, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, is set to resume on Thursday in Dubai.
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Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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