Emirati goalkeeper Mohammed Al Jasmi called Sunday’s shock victory over two-time champions Russia at the Beach Soccer World Cup the “best win of my career”. Yet such is the quick turnaround between games, before Al Jasmi and his UAE teammates had even boarded the team bus to return to their hotel, focus had switched to Tuesday’s final Group C match with Senegal.
Something has to give. Either the UAE qualifies for the knock-out stages for the first time after five failed attempts or Senegal become the first African side to progress from the group phase. Either way, history will be made. Acknowledging the opposition’s quest for history, Al Jasmi insists nobody is getting too carried away just yet.
"Beating Russia is a great result for me and for the country, but we have achieved nothing yet," he told The National after an indomitable display that included a goal and numerous unlikely blocks. "Bruno [Melias, the UAE's Brazilian assistant coach] told us in the dressing room 'Celebrate now because when you walk out the door, this is gone.'
“Now we must focus on Senegal. Both teams know they must win to progress, so both will treat it as a final. Hopefully we can get the job done and leave with the three points, but for sure it is not going to be easy because they too want to make history.”
Senegal, five-time winners of the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations, impressed on Sunday as they defeated Belarus 7-2 to bounce back from a 6-5 opening day defeat to Russia. Led by goalscoring midfielder Mamour Diagne, the muscular Africans will provide a different type of test for Mohamed Bashir’s side.
“Senegal is a tall and strong team that fights to the last minute,” Bashir said. “They fight a lot and run a lot with the ball, but they are a little less tactical than others. We must be prepared and we will be. Our team showed today that when the focus is right, we can achieve big things.”
This evening’s match inside the Los Pynandi World Cup Stadium will mark the first time the Emirates have faced an African side at a World Cup since 2008, when they beat Cameroon 10-4 in Marseille, France. The UAE, having made history on Sunday by beating a European team for the first time at a World Cup, will build on that momentum, said Bader Hareb, head of the national team delegation.
“Russia was a fantastic display, but against Senegal you will see an even better UAE performance,” said Hareb. “It’s like I said at the start, we are here to make history not to make up numbers. [The opening loss to] Belarus was not a true reflection of this team, but it is behind us now. We are here to achieve great things and qualify for the next stage. The players have their focus back and will be even better against Senegal. You will see a team of warriors.”
Despite scoring four against Russia, it was the UAE defence that was most impressive. Playing with aggression and commitment, they refused to bow to their more celebrated opponents. They will almost certainly need to replicate such defending tonight if they are to progress: Senegal’s Diagne is in the hunt for the Golden Boot after hitting four goals against Belarus to take his tally for the tournament to six.
Similarly, the UAE attack will need to be at their best to beat goalkeeper Al Seyni Ndiaye, who showed astonishing reactions to keep out a host of powerful close-range volleys.
“I was surprised by the UAE beating Russia,” Ndiaye said. “But now we are in a special position because our match with them will be like a final. Whoever wins goes through, so we know what we need to do. The UAE will be full of confidence. They are a very strong team; a regular in the World Cup. But we will have our chances and I hope we take them because it is in our mind to be the first African team to reach the quarter-finals.”
If the Emirates are looking for a positive omen, they need look no further than Gulf neighbours Oman, who beat Africa’s second-best team Nigeria on Sunday. The Omanis now face Portugal in their final match and while coach Talib Al Thanawi is remaining realistic, he says his players will give their all against the European giants.
“Portugal is one of the best teams in Europe,” said Al Thanawi. “We will try out best, but you can see the difference between European teams and our team, which lacks experience. We come here to fight though and we will do that until the final kick.”
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
More from Aya Iskandarani
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E153hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E200Nm%20at%204%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6.3L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh106%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass
Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
6.30pm Meydan Classic Trial US$100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
Winner Bella Fever, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Mike de Kock (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Woven, Harry Bentley, David Simcock.
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Fore Left, William Buick, Doug O’Neill.
8.15pm Dubai Sprint Listed Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Rusumaat, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group Two $450,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Benbatl, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
10pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Beyond Reason, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
More from Neighbourhood Watch
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5