ABU DHABI // Laszlo Boloni will head to Abu Dhabi this week to sign a contract with Al Wahda, the Pro League champions who have wasted no time in appointing a new coach as they plan ahead for the Club World Cup (CWC) in December.
Boloni takes over from Josef Hickersberger, the Austrian who led Wahda to CWC qualification. The club will represent the UAE.
"The new coach will arrive this week to complete the formalities and draw up his training schedule before the team leave for Germany for a three-week camp on July 22," said Khaled Awadh, the deputy chief executive, without disclosing any other details.
In the CWC, Wahda will face Hekari United of Papua New Guinea, the Oceania champions who beat Waitakere of New Zealand 4-2 in the O-League final. Wahda are determined to do better than Al Ahli, the 2008-2009 league champions, who were beaten 2-0 by Auckland City, an amateur side from New Zealand, which led to a first-round exit.
"All this early preparation is for a special season ahead, particularly to do the UAE proud at the CWC," said Awadh.
"Boloni has the experience, having spent a season in Abu Dhabi, and will surely know a great deal about the players and what we would require from him."
The Romanian, 57, spent a season at Al Jazira in 2007/08, when the team were runners-up in the league and Gulf Club Cup winners.
He moved to Standard Liege, the Belgian side, where he spent two years. He won the league title in 2008/09 before resigning in February following a series of disappointing results.
Boloni was also linked by the Portuguese press with Porto, the 2004 Champions League winners, to replace Jesualdo Ferreira, whose contract expires this summer. He was also considering a move to the Croatian side Hajduk Split before deciding to join Wahda.
Boloni is well known in Portugal for his success with Sporting Lisbon and as the coach who discovered and encouraged Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 World Player of the Year, while he was playing for them from 2001 to 2003.
Haider Ali, the Wahda captain, said he and his teammates were willing to work with any manager and would do their best to achieve more success for the club.
"I have worked with several coaches, both at the club and the national team, and everyone has their own way of doing things," Ali said. "So it doesn't really matter as long as we all adapt to a system to produce results.
"Boloni was at Jazira and he did a pretty good job with them. We have all seen his work and hope we can help him to achieve better results."
Wahda are also in talks with Hassan Ashjari, the Iranian international, 30, who plays at left-back for Zobahan. He would complete the "three plus one" foreign quota as the club's one player of Asian origin.
"We are in talks with him but nothing concrete has come out of it," said Awadh. The club is looking to replace Hassan Mudhafer, the Omani international.
apassela@thenational.ae
Born March 11, 1953, Romania
Clubs/Player
Romania 108 games, 25 goals
ASA Targu Mures 1970/84
Steaua Bucharest 1984/87
Racing Jet Wavre 1987/88
US Cretel 1988/89
US Orleans 1989/92
Clubs/Coach
AS Nancy 1994/2000
Romania 2000/01
Sporting 2001/03
Stade Rennais 2003/06
AS Monaco 2006
Al Jazira 2007/08
Standard Liege 2008/10
Honours
Romanian Footballer of the Year, 1977 and 1983; Belgian Manager of the Year, 2009
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
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Race card
1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m
3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5