Tickets for next month’s friendly between Argentina and the UAE in Abu Dhabi sold out in less than 24 hours, organisers said on Sunday.
The match, taking place at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium on November 16, represents Argentina’s final warm-up game before they move to Qatar for the Fifa World Cup.
Tickets for the friendly went on sale late last week, with demand high to see Lionel Messi and teammates in the capital. However, organisers said tickets remain available for Argentina’s open training session on November 13, at Al Nahyan Stadium. The session begins at 6pm, with tickets starting at Dh25.
Messi, 35, confirmed last week that the Qatar finals, which begins on November 20, will be his final World Cup.
Aref Al Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said in a statement: “Argentina are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup this December and many of the team’s players have been quite open about this potentially being their last major tournament.
“We are keen to ensure all those who missed out on tickets for the match with the UAE still have a chance to watch the players up close as they prepare in Abu Dhabi ahead of their campaign for a third World Cup title. For this reason, prices for the open training are very accessibly priced.”
Argentina, the current South American champions, are one of the favourites for the World Cup. Unbeaten in 35 matches, they begin their campaign for a third global crown against Saudi Arabia on November 22 before taking on Mexico four days later. Argentina round off Group C on November 30, against Poland.
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Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
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Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
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Red flags
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- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
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Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
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