Articles
Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and Palestine prove international football seems to be war-proof
PLayers from Miroslav Soukup’s Yemen national team took a 13-hour boat journey from Aden to Djibouti, on their way to Doha where their Group H “home” match against North Korea takes place on Thursday night, writes Ali Khaled.
Emirati trio up for French challenge at Sodi World Series Grand Finals
Atef Al Barwani, Abdullah Al Ali and Hussein Umid Ali all say that they can achieve podium finishes at the RKC track in the biggest prize in international leisure karting.
Al Nasr’s Brett Holman and Al Ahli’s Luis Jimenez sign off on years in contrasting fashion
The future is murky for both captains – Holman and Jimenez – but the Australian can walk away a double cup winner while the Chilean helped Al Ahli regain form, writes Ali Khaled.
Ibrahima Toure’s redemption and Al Nasr’s renaissance can be capped by President’s Cup
Ali Khaled writes about how Ibrahima Toure has rebuilt his image following a violent episode in the season's opening match and how Al Nasr have become the UAE's cup kings.
All-Dubai President’s Cup final in Al Ain could fall victim to warm weather and lack of fans
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium is without doubt a worthy venue for the President’s Cup final; but empty seats may yet prove that it was one match too far, or too late, for many Dubai fans for Al Ahli and Al Nasr, writes Ali Khaled.
Al Nasr, moulding into the UAE’s knockout specialists, in the spotlight at President’s Cup
As Al Nasr head into the President's Cup semi-final, Ali Khaled explains why the Dubai club is carving out a reputation as cup specialists.
Al Ahli’s impressive cup competitions have saved Cosmin Olaroiu’s job
Al Ahli may have had a domestic campaign to forget, but in the Asian Champions League, they could not have timed it any better as they are in the last eight of Asia’s top competition for the first time, writes Ali Khaled.
Al Ain and Al Ahli’s Asian gain is Mahdi Ali’s loss for UAE national team
Ali Khaled writes the national squad, heavy on Al Ain and Al Ahli players, is missing out on important team-building time with club commitments to the Asian Champions League.
Liverpool may have seen its last hero in Steven Gerrard in modern football
Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace was a reminder of what Liverpool will be missing and why Gerrard’s final curtain call is perfectly timed for all concerned.
Barcelona’s win over Bayern Munich showed tiki-taka relevant, from Guardiola to Enrique
A Bayern miracle comeback seemed possible. But this was not the Barcelona of 2013. And how did they resist the onslaught? By keeping possession of the ball and hitting on the break.
What was once taboo is now being celebrated at Gulf Autism Centre’s sports day
Gulf Autism Centre’s annual sports day at Al Jazira last week was, according to its organisers, there for one thing: to put a smile on the face of every child taking part, writes Ali Khaled.
UAE swimmer Yaqoub Al Saadi happy to bloom in Al Ain pool
Winner of three gold medals at the National Winter Tournament credits his and other Emirati swimmers’ rise to the coaching staff and the better facilities available to them.
Juventus are back on the radar for Emirati football fans with Champions League run
There is hope again now and should Massimiliano Allegri’s team overcome the competition’s most successful club, Real Madrid, Juventus fans can, for the first time in a generation, dream again of ruling Europe, writes Ali Khaled.
E-Sports providing a platform for expat youth to compete with UAE football giants — and beyond
Ali Khaled visits Dubai-based football academy E-Sports.
