ABU DHABI // Lucas Neill last night said he will have as much to learn from his new Al Jazira teammates as they will from him.
The Australian national team captain, 33, is one the most experienced player to ever join pro-league ranks, as he has played in two World Cups and spent more than a decade in the English Premier League at clubs such as Everton and West Ham.
And while he sees his role in the team as one of teacher, given what he has achieved in his career, he will also rely heavily on the players about what lies ahead of him in UAE football.
"I am very excited by this challenge, and I would think that I will use my experience to teach the players here and help them, although they will also need to help me," said Neill.
"I know the league because I have played against a lot of the guys here at international level. The biggest challenge right now is getting used to the climate.
"But like every player in the world, I want to win, as do my new teammates. This is an ambitious football club and I want to help Al Jazira become a name in Asian football."
Al Jazira also unveiled Abdul Raheem Jumaa and Ali Mohamed Rashid "Allawi", both midfielders who signed from Al Whada and Al Shabab respectively, in the close season.
Phil Anderton, the club's chief executive officer, said: "Lucas has had a great career, playing with some top teams in England, and has won 73 caps, so we are delighted to strengthen the team with a good depth of local players and now, also, Lucas."
The move completes the club's foreign quota, with UAE rules limiting clubs to four foreigners per squad, one of whom must be from the Asian Football Confederation; that player is Neill and he joins trio Matias Delgado, Bare and Ricardo Oliveira.
ncameron@thenational.ae
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Team Angel Wolf Beach Blast takes place every Wednesday between 4:30pm and 5:30pm
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20profile
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
HWJN
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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The%20National%20selections
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
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