ABU DHABI // Ismail Matar, the Al Wahda captain, said the absence of key players Asamoah Gyan and Omar Abdulrahman will not make Al Ain any weaker when the teams meet tomorrow at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Gyan has been slapped with a two-match ban by the Asian Football Confederation after they reviewed the Ghana captain’s tackle on Mihai Pintilii of Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal’s during the Asian Champions League semi-finals.
He was sent off with 20 minutes left in the September 30 game.
Abdulrahman is recovering from a knee injury he suffered against Saudi Arabia in the semi-final of the Gulf Cup of Nations last month.
“They are key players at Al Ain and they will miss their services for sure, but their absence may not make any big difference because this team has depth,” Matar said.
“They have a strong bench and any one of them provided with the opportunity can come in and perform. These fringe players will want to impress the coach for a regular place. That motivation is enough for them.
“We also expect a packed audience, and such atmosphere can motivate the players from both teams. I would expect it to be an entertaining game and let the best team on the night win.”
Matar is also not 100 per cent, even after making his first start in 10 games in a 2-1 win over Al Dhafra four days ago. He was substituted in the 77th minute.
“I have recovered from the injury, but the issue was my fitness, which I now feel has reached a point where I can play the full 90 minutes, so looking forward for this classico match,” he said.
Wahda have injury problems, too, regarding Moroccan international Adil Hermach and Mohammed Al Shehhi.
“We still have 48 hours to see if they are fit enough to play, but even if they are not, we have 22 in the squad to choose the line-up,” said Jose Peseiro, the Wahda coach. “Al Ain are one of the favourites to win the league. Obviously, we are heading for a tough game, but we are not going to give up without a fight. We have had a good run so far, and hopefully, we can take this momentum forward.”
Wahda are undefeated in 20 league games, stretching from last January.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
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