Ismail Matar in training for Al Wahda.
Ismail Matar in training for Al Wahda.

Matar's finals countdown



It is a well-worn cliche, often monotonous, when footballers say it is their dream to play in the World Cup finals. Of course it is often true, having grown up watching legends like Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Diego Maradona lift the greatest prize in football. It also defines a player's career.

George Best is regarded as one of the greatest-ever players. But would he have been THE greatest if Northern Ireland had played on the game's biggest stage, perhaps lighting up the 1966 or 1970 tournaments, rivalling Geoff Hurst and Pele for the spotlight. The same goes for Ryan Giggs. He might have won 10 English Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues with Manchester United, but his Wales side have never played in a World Cup.

George Weah suffered similar ignominy with Liberia but he was feted for his exploits at AC Milan. It is a fate the UAE striker Ismail Matar is desperate to avoid. "I do not want to look back at my career and be someone who did not play in the World Cup," he said, his usual hushed tones getting distinctively louder. "I do not want to be like the other players who did not play in the finals even though everyone said they were great. Every player wants to play in the finals and I hope I can achieve this dream in 2010."

The desire burns strongly and will drive him on when the UAE do battle in the second stage of the Asian qualifiers, which start with a clash against North Korea tomorrow. At 25, who knows if he will get another chance. He is a winner and sets high targets for himself - some would say too high in a country who have only reached the World Cup once before, in 1990. Few in the Emirates will forget how Matar was the magician who conjured up their first Gulf Cup success last year. A dazzling display of brilliance, sealed by five goals, ensured his place in his country's sporting folklore.

But will that be enough to satisfy his craving to do as well as he possibly can? There is always talk about a move to Europe. The Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover at Manchester City could well offer him, and perhaps young players like Mohammed Al Shehhi and Ahmed Dada Mubarak, that chance. His ambition to play abroad is there, the intention is there, but taking that final step is never easy. For many talented players in the Gulf, the dream move never materialises as clubs are either worried about taking a risk on players who may not have the mentality to succeed or sometimes the player himself is happy to stay in the comfort zone.

Take Ali Karimi and Yasser al Qahtani for instance. Karimi, the mercurial Iranian midfielder, left Al Ahli in the Emirates to join Bayern Munich, but failed to mix or settle. Uli Hoeness, general manager of the German giants, said: "He has the talent yes, but that is not just enough to succeed at this level. He needs to learn the language, he needs to mix with people and show he wants to play for the club. You have to work hard in many areas."

Qahtani is Saudi Arabia's striking spearhead; their own Ismail Matar. He had a trial at Manchester City, but it was said he and his club, Al Ahli, could not agree terms. Others said the rough and tumble of English football was not to his liking and City saw that. Can Matar show his mettle and prove any different, or will he stay at Al Wahda, where he has been since he was a youngster? Will he get any better if he stays where he is, especially with the new Pro League starting?

Ali al Habsi answered these questions when he made the sacrifice when he left Oman for Norway as a teenager for a spell at Lyn Oslo. It wasn't a glamorous step but one which saw him eventually end up at Bolton in the English Premier League. He feels Matar has the skills, but wonders whether it might be too late. "Maybe he should have gone a year or two ago," says the keeper. "You have to adapt to a new style in Europe, especially in England, and change how you have trained and played before. It is not easy.

"Ismail is a very good player and everyone has seen what he can do for the UAE, but playing in Europe is tough. I don't know if it is too late for him to make the move, but he should not wait much longer." Matar has the perfect stage to showcase his talent in the World Cup qualifiers against teams like Iran, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. There is huge expectation every time he plays, sometimes unfair, but, if he can deliver, his dream of playing in South Africa, then maybe his dream of playing in Europe may become a reality.

@Email:akhan@thenational.ae

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope 
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold 
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph 
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck

SPEC%20SHEET
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UAE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani

Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Salem Rashid, Mohammed Al Attas, Alhassan Saleh

Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Barman, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani

Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

SUZUME
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Makoto%20Shinkai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Nanoka%20Hara%2C%20Hokuto%20Matsumura%2C%20Eri%20Fukatsu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ENGLAND TEAM

Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

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
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.

Scores

Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)

Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)

Saturday 

Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)

Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)

Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)

Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)

Fortuna Dusseldof v  Bayern Munich (6.30pm)

RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)

Sunday

Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)

Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)

 

 

 

 

 

Results

2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)

2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash

4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.

4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

THE BIO

Age: 33

Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill

Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.

Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?

Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially