The draw for the second round of Asian Football Confederation qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup was a good one for the UAE – but not perfect.
The UAE are ranked 68th in the world and fifth in Asia, and their newly acquired status as one of the continent’s powerhouses had ensured a place in Pot 1.
Most top seeds, however, would have preferred to avoid the Pot 2 team the UAE drew: Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis are one of a small list of teams who have beaten the UAE in the past few years: the 3-2 Gulf Cup semi-final win in Riyadh last November being the last time the Emiratis lost to an Arab team.
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In that game, Saudi dealt with the threat of Omar Abdulrahman in the most efficient, even brutal, manner.
Still there can be few complaints about the overall outcome, despite Mahdi Ali’s irritation over what he sees as lack of support for his programme in the build up to the qualifiers.
The UAE will be expected to win their matches against Palestine, Timor-Leste and Malaysia, home and away. Anything less would be disappointing, at the least.
The UAE also will be wary of a slow start, as they had in 2011, when their Brazil 2014 campaign was over within five days of its start, after dismal defeats to Kuwait and Lebanon.
That sort of early collapse is extremely unlikely and the UAE should kick off their campaign with a victory at Timor-Leste on June 16.
Come the end of this round, next March, they will expect to have done enough to win Group A or advance to the final 12 of Asian qualifying as a strong second.
Then they face the real test.
akhaled@thenational.ae
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Youth YouTuber Programme
The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots
- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing
- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
