Al Jazira manager Marcel Keizer has called on his players to rise to the challenge of the "must-win game" against Mumbai City FC as the Abu Dhabi club aim to get their Asian Champions League campaign up and running.
Jazira have lost both matches in Group B so far, going down 2-1 in their opener to Air Force Club before a 3-0 defeat to Al Shabab. Mumbai City, meanwhile, enter the match after claiming the first Champions League win in the club's history.
With four matches still to go in the double round-robin group stage, Jazira have time to turn around their fortunes, but Keizer has urged his team to start getting points on the board.
“We are just disappointed about the results, especially after losing against Al Shabab,” Keizer said ahead of Thursday's match at King Fahd International Stadium.
“It’s a must win game now against Mumbai City. They are a strong team and we know what we have to do to beat them. We will try hard to get that first win and hopefully better results will follow in the next few games.”
Jazira will be without the services of experienced centre-back Milos Kosanovic because of injury, and while admitting it is a setback, Keizer believes Jazira have the depth to cope.
“Yes, we miss Milos. He has been a big player for us. But I still think we have good defenders," he said. “We have some younger players in the squad and it’s good for them to play at this level of competition. Defending in a game is not just limited to defenders but lies with the whole team.
“We are facing a very good footballing side in Mumbai City. I’ve seen them play here as well as watched them in the domestic league. They are an attacking team and I will not underestimate them.”
Jazira would indeed be wise not to underestimate Mumbai City. After beginning their campaign with a 3-0 defeat against Shabab, the Indian Super League side bounced back to beat Air Force Club 2-1 and sit second in the group.
Following the historic achievement of winning their first ever Champions League match, Mumbai City manager Des Buckingham wants his team to stay focused against Jazira.
“It’s a game we’re looking forward to, our third game in over eight days and it’s good that we’re getting some rest and recovery ahead of the match,” the Englishman said.
“The mood in the squad is good and we have the majority of the players available and we’re getting ready for the game as best we can.
“We have spent six months playing in the domestic league and several weeks in Abu Dhabi preparing for the tournament and we’re here trying to achieve what an Indian team has not achieved before in this competition.”
Over in Group C, Shabab Al Ahli take on leaders Al Gharafa of Qatar at the Prince Abdullah bin Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, and manager Mahdi Ali believes his team can use their experience to their advantage in pursuit of their first victory of the campaign. The Dubai side have drawn their opening two matches, while Al Gharafa enter the game with one win and a draw.
“It is important because you need a good result against the leading team,” the Emirati said. “They are a good team technically but we are more experienced in this type of competition. We have analysed their matches and hopefully we can take advantage of their weak points.”
Gharafa manager Andrea Stramaccioni has urged his players to continue their encouraging start, saying: “International competitions are different as compared to the leagues. The quality of opponents are higher so the team must be almost perfect and not make a single mistake.
“We have shown that we are a solid team waiting for the right moment to be dangerous. It will be a tough game [against Shabab Al Ahli]. Our opponent has the characteristics and individual quality to make it a difficult match.
“In my opinion, they are the best team in front in terms of quality and skills. For us to be successful, we must give a perfect performance."
BANGLADESH SQUAD
Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vice captain), Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahaman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The years Ramadan fell in May
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
