Abu Dhabi // Having being crowned Premier League champions for the second time in three years, Manchester City’s next challenge will be in Al Ain.
The winning side will parade their trophy around the country before facing Al Ain in a friendly at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday.
The Al Ain side will include 22-year-old midfielder Omar Abdulrahman, and some of the Arabian Gulf’s top players.
They include Yasser Al Qahtani from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal FC, former Al Ain player Boubacar Sanogo, and Emirati Ismail Matar who plays for Al Wahda.
Al Ain will take on the English champions three days before their crucial match against Al Ahli in the final of the President’s Cup at the capital’s Zayed Sports City.
City were due to travel to the UAE in January to take on the 2012-13 Arabian Gulf League champions in a friendly to mark the opening of the 25,000-seat Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
But they had to cancel after their third-round FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers led to a replay. Thousands are counting down the days until this week’s game.
Mohammed Al Shurafa, 5, a pupil at Abu Dhabi’s Manchester City Football School, is one such fan.
“I want to see my favourite players, Yaya Toure, Joe Hart and Sergio Aguero,” said Mohammed, who was wearing his sky-blue City jersey for the occasion.
This will be City’s second visit to the UAE, after losing 0-1 to the UAE national team at Zayed Sports City in 2009. On Tuesday, Al Ain face Al Jazira in the second leg of their last-16 tie in the Asian Champions League. Al Ain have a 2-1 lead.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
