ABU DHABI // Josef Hickersberger, the Al Wahda manager, will have a depleted squad for the club's next three Etisalat Cup games after seven of his players were called up for the national team for their 2014 World Cup qualifier against South Korea on October 11.
Wahda travel to Dubai for a meeting with Diego Maradona's Al Wasl at the Zabeel Stadium on Saturday followed by home games with Emirate and Dubai.
Wahda, who won the Super Cup against Jazira, the season opener, will be without Ismail Matar, Mohammed Al Shehhi, Eisa Ahmed, Mahmoud Khamis, Khalid Jalal, Adel Al Hosani and Basheer Saeed, who returns to national duty after retiring from international football nearly three years ago.
Saeed last played for the UAE in the 4-1 defeat to South Korea in the 2010 World Cup Asia Zone qualifier on October 2008 and then announced his retirement from internationals to concentrate on his club duties.
The 30-year-old central defender will fill the void left by his Wahda teammate Hamdan Al Kamali, who is still recovering from a fractured cheekbone he suffered in the 3-2 defeat to Kuwait in World Cup qualifying in Al Ain on September 2.
"The FA wouldn't have called me had they found suitable replacements," said Saeed. "As a player, I am always ready to play for my country whenever they need me. They feel I can still do a job for them and I will give my best to them.
"We are not in a good position after losing the first two games and the match with Korea is very critical. It is indeed a tough game but we will give our best shot and fight until the end."
The UAE went down to Kuwait in the opening match in Group B and were then shocked by Lebanon, losing 3-1 away. The two results cost Srecko Katanec, the Slovenian coach, his job after 27 months in the role.
The UAE FA has appointed the Emirati Abdullah Misfir for the remaining qualifying matches.
apassela@thenational.ae
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
More on animal trafficking
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
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