The UAE may be high on confidence after proving themselves to be the best team in the Arabian Gulf last month, but Mahdi Ali has warned his side that they face a very different kind of opponent today.
Vietnam play the game at a higher tempo than Arabian Gulf teams, the UAE manager said ahead of the opening 2015 Asian Cup qualifier in Hanoi.
"This game will be significantly different to the matches we played in the Gulf Cup because teams from East Asia enjoy high speed and show good organisation," Mahdi Ali said.
The UAE need to finish in the top two in a group that also includes Uzbekistan and Hong Kong to book their spot at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.
"The first game is always important," Mahdi Ali added.
The UAE beat Vietnam 1-0 on their last visit to Hanoi, in a 2010 World Cup qualifier, and then drubbed them 5-0 in the return game at home.
Ismail Matar, the UAE captain, played both those matches and he is expecting the hosts to put up strong resistance.
"Vietnam will be playing at home and they are known for their fighting spirit," he said. "So we will have to show a lot of commitment and be at the top of our game."
Hoang Van Phuc, the interim Vietnam coach who had just two weeks of preparation with his team, said: "I am confident especially about the mentality of the players."
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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