Omar Abdulrahman, left, is the creative fulcrum of the UAE side. AFP
Omar Abdulrahman, left, is the creative fulcrum of the UAE side. AFP

UAE football team’s Road to Russia: Old faces will be key to qualifying



Ali Kasheif

The experienced Al Jazira goalkeeper is one of the first names on the teamsheet. Having made his debut in 2009, he was a key member of the 2012 Olympics side – chosen as one of Mahdi Ali’s three overage players – and then last year’s Gulf Cup winning team. His leadership qualities have shone as captain.

Amer Abdulrahman

First excelled with the UAE’s age-group sides – an impressive 2009 Under 20 World Cup prompted World Soccer to dub him “the Zidane of the UAE”. The Baniyas star is his national team’s midfield metronome. Set up the winner in the Gulf Cup final.

Walid Abbas

Highly experienced, the Al Ahli defender is dependable, a fine tackler and reads the game superbly. He can play at left-back, or more centrally, and enjoys getting forward. First called up to the national team in 2008, integral in last year’s Gulf Cup and in qualifying for the Asian Cup. Could retire by 2018, though.

Omar Abdulrahman

The UAE’s poster boy, this gifted Al Ain playmaker is the side’s creative fulcrum. Can play anywhere across midfield, but usually in an advanced position because of his eye for a killer pass. Made debut in 2011, starred at the Olympics two years later and then scored the winner in a Gulf Cup semi-final. Voted player of that tournament.

Ahmed Khalil

A powerful striker, the Al Ahli forward has spearheaded a succession of Mahdi Ali’s teams. Debuted for senior national team in 2008, the same year he was named the best young player in Asia. His goals clinched UAE’s spot at the 2012 Olympics, while he scored three in five matches at last year’s Gulf Cup.

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GROUPS AND FIXTURES

Group A
UAE, Italy, Japan, Spain

Group B
Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Russia

Tuesday
4.15pm
: Italy v Japan
5.30pm: Spain v UAE
6.45pm: Egypt v Russia
8pm: Iran v Mexico

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
Results:

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres

Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m

Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m

Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

8.15pm: Meydan Trophy Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m

Winner: Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m

Winner: Poetic Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m

Winner: Lava Spin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m

Winner: Mountain Hunter, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

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 

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
HOW TO WATCH

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young