AL AIN // The UAE warmed up for next week’s potentially pivotal 2018 World Cup qualifier with a 2-0 victory in a friendly against Bahrain on Wednesday.
Mahdi Ali’s men, getting their final run-out before they resume their quest to reach Russia 2018 against Iraq on Tuesday, controlled large swathes of the match at an almost empty Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, winning through goals from Ismail Matar and Walid Abbas.
The UAE were always favourites against a Bahrain side ranked 53 places in the world below them at 123rd and their superior talent told. They opened the scoring on the half-hour, when Omar Abdulrahman’s sublime through ball played in Abbas on the visitors’ left-hand side.
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The Al Ahli defender, whose return to fitness represents a significant boost for the UAE, squared to captain Matar to tap home. Confirmed as one of three candidates for the Asian Player of the Year award earlier in the day, Abdulrahman's influence was again key.
The UAE doubled their advantage just before the hour, once Matar and Abbas had again combined. This time, the latter converted from an acute angle, drilling a low shot past Sayed Nazar in the Bahrain goal.
Miroslav Soukup’s team did carve a few chances of their own, most notably in the 71st minute when substitute Mohammed Al Romaithi fired straight at Majed Naser with only the UAE goalkeeper to beat.
At the other end, Ahmed Khalil twice went close, once forcing a fine save from Nazar and later curling a free kick inches wide.
On the whole, Mahdi Ali should be content with the performance, even though he chose not to experiment greatly with his line-up.
However, the UAE manager did give rare starts to Matar and Al Wahda teammate Hamdan Al Kamali, who filled in at centre-back as Ismail Ahmed continues his return to full fitness.
In the second half, Al Shabab’s Mohammed Marzooq was granted the opportunity to impress alongside Al Kamali, replacing Al Ain’s Mohanad Salem.
Khalfan Mubarak, the in-form playmaker at Al Jazira and a late call-up to the squad, was introduced for the final 20 minutes, coming on for Abdulrahman. Victory secure, the UAE now turn attention to Tuesday’s critical World Cup qualifier with Iraq.
The Emirates, attempting to reach a World Cup for only the second time in their history, currently sit fourth in Group B after four fixtures.
With only the top two teams guaranteed progression to Russia, the UAE know nothing less than a win at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will suffice. At present, they are two points off second-placed Australia, with Japan sandwiched between.
Saudi Arabia top the standings, in large part thanks to last month’s resounding 3-0 victory against the UAE in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia take on Japan in Saitama on Tuesday.
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Points Classification after Stage 1
1. Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) 20
2. Stefan Kueng (Switzerland / BMC Racing) 17
3. Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus / Team Sky) 15
4. Tony Martin (Germany / Katusha) 13
5. Matteo Trentin (Italy / Quick-Step) 11
6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 10
7. Jos van Emden (Netherlands / LottoNL) 9
8. Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland / Team Sky) 8
9. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 7
10. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Dimension Data) 6
MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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