The 2010 World Cup was notable for the absence of any of Asia's Arab nations. This time around, Oman and Jordan are looking to put things straight and make history at the same time.
Neither country has ever qualified for the World Cup and they are locked in a three-way tussle with Australia for the second automatic qualifying spot from Group B of Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014.
On Tuesday, Jordan face Australia in Melbourne, knowing that victories in their two remaining games will put them into the World Cup.
Coach Adnan Hamad is not playing down the importance of Tuesday's encounter.
"I think it's the biggest match in the history of Jordanian football," he said. "But the players, the fans and also us as a coaching staff have all the intention of getting the best result from this match.
"We came here for a win."
The Australians are in third place in the group, level on seven points with Jordan, but with better goal difference. Both teams are two points behind Oman – who do not play Tuesday – with one match in hand.
There was a minor diplomatic issue ahead of the match when Hamad said he had been detained by authorities at the Melbourne airport for several hours last week to make secondary checks on his visa.
Hamad said he was more concerned, however, about the scheduling of an Australian Rules football match at Docklands Stadium on Sunday, just 48 hours before the World Cup qualifier. That meant his team would not be able to see or train on the surface until last night.
"It should have been organised in a different way," Hamad said.
The Australians are in a similar position to Jordan – if they can win two home matches in eight days against Jordan and Iraq, they should clinch the second direct qualifying spot.
Oman face Jordan away next week in the final round.
Al Ain striker Alex Brosque is fit again for selection for Australia, who could be in a better position after blowing a 1-0 lead in Japan last week, conceding a penalty in the last minute for a handball which was duly converted.
"In football, you should never look back. The only thing you get is a sore neck," coach Holger Osieck told Australian Associated Press on Monday.
Jordan beat Australia at home earlier in the group, a fact notlost on the former Al Jazira and Al Wasl defender Lucas Neill.
"Jordan are no mugs, they are a very good team, I don't think you [media] are giving them enough credit," he said. "They have beaten Japan and Australia at home, they are a team that deserve your respect and they certainly have our respect, and we know if we don't play our best, there is a chance we won't win the game."
In Group A, South Korea, trying to qualify for the World Cup for the eighth consecutive time, host Uzbekistan. The Koreans lead the group and can be all but assured of securing a spot in Brazil with a win over second-place Uzbekistan in Seoul.
Iran, a point back from Korea and Uzbekistan in third, host Lebanon in Tehran in the group's other match.
The final Group A games next Tuesday will see South Korea host Iran and Uzbekistan at home to Qatar.
The top two teams in each group will qualify, with the third-place teams in each group meeting in a play-off for the right to face a South American team for a spot in the draw.
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us
@SprtNationalUAE
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
