Manchester City 2 Hamburg 0
Manchester City Jovetic 50', Dzeko 74'
Man of the match James Milner (Man City)
AL AIN // Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said Frank Lampard should be fit for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough, despite the midfielder lasting only 20 minutes of Wednesday night’s friendly with Hamburg.
The former England international was substituted midway through the first half at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and replaced by Scott Sinclair.
City won the match 2-0, through goals from Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko.
Read more: Star-studded Manchester City put on a friendly show for ‘home’ crowd in Al Ain
Lampard had complained of a slight muscle strain in the pre-match warm-up and appeared to motion to the bench following what seemed a routine tackle.
The Premier League champions, second in the table, promptly withdrew Lampard, although simply as a precaution.
City have an important 10 days ahead of them in terms of their title defence. On January 31 they travel to league leaders Chelsea intent of reducing the five-point gap at the summit. Should he be available for selection at Stamford Bridge, Lampard will play against the club he represented 643 times from 2001 to 2014.
Before that, City have a FA Cup fourth-round clash with Middlesbrough, the English Championship side, on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium.
The manager said he expected Lampard to be ready for the match.
“I hope Frank will be fit not only for Chelsea, but for Middlesbrough on Saturday,” Pellegrini said.
“It was just a small problem, but he asked to try to play and after that he said it was impossible.
“I don’t think it will be too significant, so we hope to have him for Saturday.”
He said he did not anticipate City would make any more signings this month.
Last week, the club recruited Wilfried Bony, the Ivory Coast striker, from Swansea City in a deal reportedly worth up to £28 million (Dh156m).
The winter transfer window closes for Premier League clubs on February 2.
“For the moment it is just Bony,” said Pellegrini.
“There is time until the end of January, but we’re not thinking about anybody. However, if we have the chance, we may.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
UAE rugby season
FIXTURES
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers v Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Division 1
Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II
Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II
Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens
Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II
LAST SEASON
West Asia Premiership
Winners – Bahrain
Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership
Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners – Dubai Hurricanes
Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference
Winners – Dubai Tigers
Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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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
