Gary Meenaghan

The side's coach warns players must train hard and continue to improve if they are to have a chance of triumphing in Russia.

Draw with Ukraine has brought optimism on their hopes of challenging in Russia in the summer

Gary Meenaghan highlights the wide slice of motor racing royalty who were on hand in 1981 for the madcap Dubai Grand Prix.

UAE football turned professional in 2008. But despite improving results, the game is hit by poor attendances and international rivalry.

Lars Stindl scores only goal of final to help young German side to trophy, writes Gary Meenaghan from St Petersburg.

Gary Meenaghan reports from St Petersburg where Portugal made easy work of New Zealand to book their place in the Confederations Cup semi-finals.

The Asian and African continental champions can still progress after their 1-1 draw at St Petersburg, writes Gary Meenaghan from Russia.

The use of video technology has made its debut at a major Fifa tournament in the shape of the Confederations Cup. Gary Meenaghan, in Saint Petersburg, looks at how it works and its impact.

The use of video technology has made its debut at a major Fifa tournament in the shape of the Confederations Cup. Gary Meenaghan, in Saint Petersburg, looks at how it works and its impact.

Two-goal victory gets hosts up and running in Confederations Cup, but tougher tests still lie ahead, both on and off the field. Gary Meenaghan reports from St Petersburg.

Ahead of kick off today, the organisers and the home team will both be under a lot of pressure to make the tournament a success, writes Gary Meenaghan in Russia.

Defeated but not dispirited, the UAE squad will fly home on Wednesday from the Bahamas following their elimination from the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup.

The UAE will meet Portugal, the 2015 Beach Soccer World Cup winners, knowing only three points can guarantee safe passage to the quarter-finals — this despite the Emirates sitting top of their qualifying group and the only nation yet to lose.

The UAE, far from home and with an Emirati manager who has never coached at a Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup before, are on the cusp of making history in the Bahamas.

The transition of Mohammed Bashir from influential veteran player into the Emirates’ ambitious young manager owes a lot to the time he spent working with current Paraguay manager Gustavo “Guga” Zloccowick.