In a typical reaction for him, Mahdi Ali has played down the UAE's bright start in the Gulf Cup.
The Emirati urged players and fans alike not to get carried away after the 3-1 win over Qatar in their Group A opener at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Bahrain.
"This is our first match and we have a long way to go in this competition. It was indeed a good start but we must not get carried away by this result," the UAE coach said.
"Whatever we did in that game is history. We play Bahrain next and that is where our focus would be from now on. They are the hosts and we are aware what they are capable of."
Bahrain were held to a scoreless draw by Oman at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa in the tournament's first match on Saturday.
"We still have a long way to go in this competition and need to move on with our own game plans without giving much thought on the past result," Mahdi Ali said.
The Gulf Cup is Mahdi Ali's first official competition since his appointment as the senior national team coach in August. In seven friendlies, his record stands at five wins, including a 6-3 victory over Bahrain; a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan and a 1-0 away defeat to Japan.
However, he urges a forward-looking mentality.
"We are always looking at the next game if we have to go all the way in this competition," he said. "We need to improve after every game and there is no end to that. We won against Qatar and we need to take that momentum forward against Bahrain.
"I am happy with our performance in the first game. The players showed their true potential and character in this game to come from a goal down and win."
Khalfan Ibrahim put Qatar ahead with an 11th-minute penalty but Omar Abdurahman cancelled out that goal two minutes later when he scored from a free kick.
Ali Mabkhout gave the UAE the lead, and Mohammed Ahmed got the third goal in the second half.
Mahdi Ali acknowledged Abdulrahman's equaliser was the turning point. "For sure, that took the pressure off and we settled in well thereafter to play as we would have," he said.
The coach was able to give Ismail Matar some playing time late in the game as the national team captain continues his recovery from a troublesome knee injury.
"We sent him in just to give him a feel of the ball out there in the middle because we may need him to come and play at some stage of the competition," Mahdi Ali said.
He also thought Ahmed Khalil, the forward, was short of match fitness after returning from injury. "He hasn't played many games but I wanted to give him more time on the pitch. He did a pretty good job and hopefully he can regain his true form in the coming games," Mahdi Ali said.
Hamdan Al Kamali, the centre-back, conceded it took some time for the team to settle in. "We were a bit nervous at the beginning and conceded a penalty but fortunately it didn't take long for the equaliser to arrive," he said.
"That goal restored our confidence and we became better organised."
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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