ABU DHABI // Jakub Hromada, the Slovakia captain, said he and his teammates “dream” off pulling off a surprise result when they meet Brazil, the three-time winners of the Fifa Under 17 World Cup, in tonight’s opener at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
“When we were drawn to play against Brazil in the opening match, it was a like a dream,” the midfielder said last night at the pre-match news conference.
“We were very excited to play Brazil in the first game because we know this game will be one of the highlights of the competition. This is the opportunity to realise some of our ambitions and dreams.
“Brazil is a strong team and they are the favourites to win the championship in Abu Dhabi. They are one of the biggest football countries but we can still surprise them.
“This is our dream.”
Ladislav Pecko, the Slovakia coach, buoyed by his team’s 2-1 win over Uruguay in a friendly in Dubai three days ago, said the players are ready to do their country proud on their first voyage at an U17 World Cup.
“We want to make good memories of our first U17 World Cup,” he said.
“It is already an achievement to be playing in this competition. It is a dream for us to be here and we want to keep that dream as long as possible.”
Brazil though are in no mood to allow any team to spoil their party.
“It is important for us to win the first game because we will not take any team in our group for granted,” said Alexandre Gallo, the Brazil coach.
“We have a very good side with some of the players first-team regulars in Brazilian clubs.
“Our intentions are very clear and that’s to win every game we play.”
Brazil are fresh off a win over Croatia in a friendly two days ago during their camp in Dubai.
“We have prepared well as any other team and our focus is on the first game,” Gallo said.
“Our build up for this competition has gone well and in the competition we will take one game at a time.”
apassela@thenational.ae
@ For more FIFA UNDER 17 WORLD CUP news visit our topic page
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
