ABU DHABI // Al Ain's inspirational playmaker Jorge Valdivia is likely to be missing from their team as they travel to Abu Dhabi for the top-of-the-table clash with Al Wahda at the Al Nahyan Stadium tonight (8pm kick-off).
The Chilean midfielder suffered a groin injury while playing in a friendly against Slovakia last week, although the club's Brazilian striker Emerson returns to the team after a short break in his home country.
In the pair's absence, Al Ain were eliminated from the President's Cup by 10-man Ajman in a penalty shootout last week.
Al Ain are second in the table and their manager Winfried Schaefer has told his players to use the match against fourth-placed Al Wahda to get over the disappointment of last week's defeat. He said: "This is not a league-deciding game but very important for us as well as the other teams in the title race.
"We have Emerson back in the side and his presence will strengthen the attack, but we still have to see the results of Valdivia's injury."
Wahda will be at full strength with the return of Ismail Matar, their key striker. Matar made a brief appearance in last week's President's Cup win against Baniyas and is expected to start against Al Ain.
"Ismail is special for us and his presence not only inspire our team, but gives the opposition a lot to think on the pitch," said the Wahda captain Haider Ali. "He has been out of action for more than six weeks but players like him don't need much time to get back to action on the pitch. His presence alone is enough to raise the confidence of the team."
On Sunday night, the Brazilian Bare saved a draw for the league champions Al Ahli with an injury-time equaliser against Al Wasl at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Sunday. Mahdi Ali's side had trailed 1-0 from the 14th minute through an own goal from Saad Surour.
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Japan 30-10 Russia
Tries: Matsushima (3), Labuschange | Golosnitsky
Conversions: Tamura, Matsuda | Kushnarev
Penalties: Tamura (2) | Kushnarev
Royal Birkdale Golf Course
Location: Southport, Merseyside, England
Established: 1889
Type: Private
Total holes: 18
Guide to intelligent investing
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Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
