UAE rise to 63rd in Fifa world rankings The UAE have climbed to No 63 in the Fifa rankings, the country’s highest position in the world football order since August 2002. The national side rose eight places from their final 2013 ranking despite not contesting a match. Mahdi Ali’s team last played an official match on November 19 when they routed Vietnam 5-0 at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium to clinch a place in the 2015 Asian Cup. The victory completed a year in which the UAE did not lose in 13 matches – 12 victories and a shoot-out win over Trinidad & Tobago after a 3-3 tie in the OSN Cup. AFC top XX
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW: INS AND OUTS 21/01/2014 With the winter transfer window open from 5th January until 3rd February, we round up all the official ins and outs as they happen... AL AHLI Ins: Ahmed Mahmoud "Dida" – Signed from Al Wasl Outs: AL AIN Ins: Fawzi Fayez – Re-registered Outs: Mahmood Al Mas – Deregistered AL DHAFRA Ins: Jose Rogerio – Signed from Clube Nautico Capibaribe Outs: Hassan Zahran – Signed for Al Wasl Emmanuel Clottey – Deregistered AJMAN Ins: Outs: AL JAZIRA Ins: Jucilei da Silva (Brazil) – Signed from FC Anji, Russia Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador) – Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia Outs: Ricardo Oliveira (Brazil) – to Sao Paulo Nelson Valdez (Paraguay) – Deregistered Fareed Ismaeel – Signed for Al Shaab AL NASR Ins: Mahmoud Khamis – Signed from Al Wahda Ali Ismail Khairi – Formerly of Al Shabab 2012/13 Alhusain Saleh – Signed from Emirates Outs: Darwish Ahmed – Signed for Al Wasl Masoud Hasan Ali – Signed for Emirates Jamal Ebrahim Maroof – Signed for Emirates AL SHAAB Ins: Spencer Silva Lima (Netherlands) – Signed from FC Dordrecht Jesus Manuel Meza (Venezuela) – Signed from Al Arabi, Qatar Oybek Kilichev (Uzbekistan) – Signed from Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan Fareed Ismaeel – Signed from Al Jazira Outs: Billy Celeski (Australia) – Deregistered Thiago Quirino (Brazil) – Deregistered Julius Wobay (Sierra Leone) – Deregistered AL SHABAB Ins: Eder Lima (Palestine) – Signed from Tombense FC, Brazil Outs: Adeilson (Brazil) – Deregistered Ali Ismail Ali Khairi - Deregistered AL WAHDA Ins: Dino Djulbic (Australia) – Re-registered Outs: Saeed Al Katheeri – Signed for Al Wasl Mahmoud Khamis – Signed for Al Nasr Hussain Fadhel (Kuwait) - Deregistered AL WASL Ins: Edson Puch (Palestine) – Signed from Deportes Iquique, Chile Hassan Zahran – Signed from Al Dhafra Darwish Ahmed – Signed from Al Nasr Abdulla Malalla – Signed from Dubai Saeed Al Katheeri – Signed from Al Wahda Emmanuel Culio (Argentina) – Signed from Deportivo La Coruna Outs: Abdelfettah Boukhriss (Morocco) – Deregistered Milan Susak (Australia) – Deregistered Abdulla Yousuf – Deregistered Ahmed Mahmoud "Dida" – Signed for Al Ahli BANI YAS Ins: Salem Saeed Salem Hassan – Signed from Al Wahda Youth Academy Sebastian Prediger (Argentina) – Signed from Atletico Colon, Argentina Outs: Marcelinho – Deregistered DUBAI Ins: Salah Eddin Saidi (Morocco) – Signed from FAR Rabat, Morocco Moustapha Konde (Mali) – Signed from Re. Berkane Outs: Abdulla Malalla – Signed for Al Wasl Bruno Cesar (Brazil) – Deregistered Gilles Yapi-Yapo – Deregistered EMIRATES Ins: Masoud Hasan Ali – Signed from Al Nasr Jamal Ebrahim Maroof – Signed from Al Nasr Wanderley Sousa (Brazil) – Signed from Atletico Paranaense, Brazil Outs: German Gustavo Herrera (Argentina) – Deregistered Alhusain Saleh – Signed for Al Nasr SHARJAH Ins: Outs:
Defending champions Al Ahli face Al Dhafra as Al Ain lock horns against Al Nasr in the semis of the President Cup at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday 30th of January. The early evening encounter kicks off at 4.15pm and the late night match starts at 8pm at the same venue. Numberof time 2014 final four won the cup Al Ahli (8) : 1975, 1977, 1978, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2013 Al Ain (5) : 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2009 Al Nasr (3) : 1985, 1986, 1989 Al Dhafra (0) : 1st time in the semi-final 2014
Round 17: January 28th Tagliabue double the difference Round 18 Bani Yas and Al Nasr will play their Arabian Gulf League Round 18 match tooday, Monday 3rd February at the Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi, kicking off at 6:55pm. As previously announced by the Pro League Committee, the fixture schedule has been amended to assist Bani Yas in their preparations for their upcoming AFC Champions League qualifying play-off matches.
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW: INS AND OUTS 03/02/2014 The winter transfer window was open from 5th January until 3rd February. With the window now closed, we round up all confirmed transfers so far. AL AHLI Ins: Ahmed Dida – Signed from Al Wasl Outs: Mohammad Abdulbasit – Signed for Ajman AL AIN Ins: Fawzi Fayez – Re-registered Waleed Salem – Re-registered Hamad Al Marri – Re-registered Yassine El Ghanassy (Belgium) – Signed from Gent, Belgium Outs: Mahmood Al Mas – Deregistered Michel Bastos (Brazil) – Signed for AS Roma, Italy Mohammed Ali Ayed – Signed for Al Shabab AL DHAFRA Ins: Jose Rogerio – Signed from Clube Nautico Capibaribe, Brazil Hassan Alhayayi – Signed from Al Shabab Outs: Hassan Zahran – Signed for Al Wasl Emmanuel Clottey – Espérance de Tunis AJMAN Ins: Mohammad Abdulbasit – Signed from Al Ahli Bakari Kone (France) – Signed from Um Salal, Qatar Ahmed Ibrahim Khalaf (Iraq) – Signed from Arbil, Iraq Mohammed Yaqoob – Signed from Al Wasl Saqer Hammadi – Free Agent (Formerly of Al Dhafra 2012/13) Outs: Ismail Al Jasmi – Signed for Al Jazira Driss Fettouhi (Morocco) – Deregistered Yousif Nasser (Kuwait) – Deregistered AL JAZIRA Ins: Jucilei da Silva (Brazil) – Signed from FC Anji, Russia Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador) – Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia Ismail Al Jasmi – Signed from Ajman Hassan Ameen – Signed from Al Nasr Outs: Ricardo Oliveira (Brazil) – Signed for Al Wasl Nelson Valdez (Paraguay) – Olympiacos, Greece Fareed Ismaeel – Signed for Al Shaab Ali Al Ameri – Signed for Al Nasr AL NASR Ins: Mahmoud Khamis – Signed from Al Wahda Ali Ismail Khairi – Signed from Al Shabab Alhusain Saleh – Signed from Emirates Ali Al Ameri – Signed from Al Jazira Outs: Darwish Ahmed – Signed for Al Wasl Masoud Hasan Ali – Signed for Emirates Jamal Ebrahim Maroof – Signed for Emirates Bader Yaqoot – Signed for Emirates Hassan Ameen – Signed for Al Jazira AL SHAAB Ins: Spencer Silva Lima (Netherlands) – Signed from FC Dordrecht, Netherlands Jesus Manuel Meza (Venezuela) – Signed from Al Arabi, Qatar Oybek Kilichev (Uzbekistan) – Signed from Pakhtakor, Uzbekistan Fareed Ismaeel – Signed from Al Jazira Obaid Al Taweela – Signed from Bani Yas Outs: Billy Celeski (Australia) – Deregistered Thiago Quirino (Brazil) – Deregistered Julius Wobay (Sierra Leone) – Neftchi Baku, Azerbaijan AL SHABAB Ins: Adeilson (Brazil) – Re-registered Rashid Lahi Zayed Saleh Al Saadi – Signed from Al Wahda Mohammed Ali Ayed – Signed from Al Ain Outs: Eder Lima (Palestine) – Signed from Tombense FC, Brazil Ali Ismail Khairi – Signed for Al Nasr Hassan Alhayayi – Signed for Al Dhafra Abdulaziz Ghanem Aziz – Deregistered AL WAHDA Ins: Dino Djulbic (Australia) – Re-registered Outs: Saeed Al Katheeri – Signed for Al Wasl Mahmoud Khamis – Signed for Al Nasr Hussain Fadhel (Kuwait) – Deregistered Rashid Lahi Zayed Saleh Al Saadi – Signed for Al Shabab AL WASL Ins: Edson Puch (Palestine) – Signed from Deportes Iquique, Chile Hassan Zahran – Signed from Al Dhafra Darwish Ahmed – Signed from Al Nasr Abdulla Malalla – Signed from Dubai Saeed Al Katheeri – Signed from Al Wahda Emmanuel Culio (Argentina) – Signed from Deportivo La Coruna, Spain Outs: Abdelfettah Boukhriss (Morocco) – Raja Club Athletic, Morocco Andre Senghor (Senegal) – Bani Yas Milan Susak (Australia) – Deregistered Abdulla Yousuf – Deregistered Ahmed Jumaa – Deregistered Ahmed Dida – Signed for Al Ahli Hamad Al Hosani – Signed for Dubai Mohammed Yaqoob – Signed for Ajman
BANI YAS 0-2 AL NASR: BLUES BACK TO WINNING WAYS 03/02/2014 Al Nasr’s run of four losses on the trot came to an end with a 2-0 victory at Bani Yas in Round 18 of the Arabian Gulf League on Monday evening. Goals from Hassan Mohamed and Alhusain Saleh in either half ensured the Blues took all three points back to Dubai with them, moving Ivan Jovanovic’s side up to 5th in the table with 26 points. Bani Yas remain on 24 points and will face Qadsia of Kuwait in the AFC Champions League play-offs on Saturday.
UAE League seventh sacked their coach Jorge da Silva and announced AFC 2004 coach of the year Adnan Hamad as their new coach, Adnan Hamad first mission will be against Al Qadsia(Kuwait) in the AFC champions league playoffs.
fired their coach Jorge Fossati before the league started only coached them in that friendly tornment where they played Al Helal, now they are manged by ex Al Ahli coach Quique Flores & Michel Bastos was good but when the season started he didnt perform well +their defense is poor this season at least 1 goal was s cored against them in the 1st half of the league except their last game against Al Wasl who are in worse situation than Al Ain and you know that's the problem if big teams with a huge fan base such Al Ain, Al Wasl or your Ittihad started losing and became far from the top fans will start putting pressure on the management, coaches, players etc.. unlike Al Wasl, Al Ain still got the Cup Final to focus on after beating Al Wasl (9-8) & then Al Nasr (2-1) next they'll face Al Ahli.. Bani Yas are losing & they are in the AFC but their fan base isn't big so
AL SHABAB V AL WASL: PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCES Al Shabab head coach Marcos Paqueta says his squad has benefited from a break of almost two weeks since their last League match, allowing good preparation for their Round 17 clash against Al Wasl on Thursday. The downtime between fixtures has enabled Paqueta to work on tactical preparations with the team, and the Brazilian will have a full complement of players to pick from going into the game. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Paqueta said: “We are keen to get a good result and keep up our challenge for the title at the top of the table. We beat Al Wasl earlier in the season but we must be aware that this is a different team from the one we played then as they have brought in many new players. I expect a tough game with fierce rivalry as it is a Dubai derby.” Insisting that the title race is still wide open, Paqueta added: “There is still a long way to go and many points to be won; and some things could be turned upside down due to the business done by various clubs during the transfer window.” Al Wasl’s head coach Hector Cuper also expressed his relief at having some respite between fixtures, allowing more detailed preparation and training sessions for his players focusing on technical matters, and the Argentine coach insists his side go into the Round 17 match in high spirits. “Al Shabab are one of the strongest teams in the League, scoring a high number of goals and conceding few, so we must focus and take them very seriously,” Cuper said in his pre-match press conference.
they didnt sack cosmin I belive he had 2 years more in his contract with Al Ain but he left them for Al Ahli and that caused a big problem for both sides now cosmin coaching from the stands due 2 months ban from the UAE FA, about Pesserio Al Wahda he's with Al Wahda won his last game against Baniyas 3-2 but Al Wahda got problems with their players contracts Mahmoud Khamees left them for Al Nasr & Saeed Al Katheri joined Al Wasl, Al Shehi just renewed his contract today which is a good news, still waiting for Ismail Matar... will he stay till he retire's with Al Wahda or not
Liverpool planning a summer bid or UAE star Omar Abdulrahman http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...ing-a-summer-bid-or-UAE-star-Omar-Abdulrahman
some sources refer to Omar as winger but he's more of an Attacking Midfiled I dont know why but I see him ending up like Ismail Matar when received offer from Chelsea reserves & clubs from the J-League after the 2003 youth world cup, our club wont allow their best players to leave the club I hope it happens but I dont see it happening Omar (20yrs) vs Uruguay he might be a better passer than Coutinho but PC had nice assists last game against Arsenal Ismail Matar (29yrs) In my opinion him & Al i Mabkhot are best finishers we got & Ahmed Khalil is overrated Rashid Eissa (21yrs) played well scored against GB but he's becoming like Derrick Rose of the League missed most of the season last year & this year got injured on the 1st game returning from injury
BANI YAS OUT OF AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENTION 08/02/2014 Bani Yas’ 2014 AFC Champions League campaign came to an early end on Saturday night with a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Kuwaiti side Qadsia at the Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Qadsia overpowered the Sky Blues, holding a 2-0 lead at half time thanks to a 10th minute goal from Mesad Nada, added to in the 35th minute by Omar Al Suma. The visiting side from Kuwait added another two goals in the second half through substitute Saleh Al Sheikh in the 73rd minute, and Fahad Al Ansrai completed the scoring in the 83rd minute to end a disappointing night for the Sky Blues.
sideline with sparky SAMBA MAGIC February 04, 2014 Reuters have come up with some interesting stats when it comes to Brazilian footballers; a total of 1,558 moved in or out of Brazil in the last 12 months. The most popular destinations are Portugal first, Japan second and the UAE third with 34 transfers. Why, though, are Brazilian's so popular here? It's for a number of reasons, not least the fact that Brazil is the epitome of attractive and exciting football; we all look at the greats of the Salecao wanting our team do the same. If our local players can't do it then the simple answer is to import some Brazilians who can. The country has a huge talent pool and a production line of new players. It doesn't mean they are all great but often they improve a team, especially in attack. I love a list and I love Brazilian football. It is obvious, I know, but I am still going to do it: a list of Brazilians to have the biggest influence in UAE football. 5. Andre Diaz: He struggled at Al Wasl before securing a move to Al Ain where he fired in 20 goals in just over a year, securing winners medals in the Etisalat Cup and the President's Cup. 4. Alexander Oliveira: A hero to the Al Wasl fans in 6 years at the club leading them to the doubles in 2007. I remember him best for making Cannavaro look foolish on his home debut. 3. Ricardo Oliveira: Brazilian international and scorer of 54 League goals for Al Jazira. He has won every trophy in the game here and now opens a new chapter in his career at Al Wasl. 2. Grafite: Just brilliant year after year, the 34-year-old shows no sign of slowing down and has been the backbone of Al Ahli's renaissance. 1. Carlos Alberto Parreira: The legendary Brazilian coach who guided the UAE to their only World Cup in 1990. It was one of 5 teams he took to the finals, a record that still stands to this day.
UAE referee Ali Hamad retires UAE football international referee Ali Hamad decided to retire the game, it was revealed on Sunday. Speaking to newsmen at the FA offices at Al Khawaneej, the Dubai police officer said this was the toughest moment of his professional and social life. “I have been faced with many difficulties in my life, and every time I found myself standing in the middle of the pitch with the whistle in my hand. But this time, it will not happen again,” he said. “I have completed nine months after the surgery without achieving any progress and for this reason it’s impossible to return to the pitch once again. Moreover, I have failed to establish presence in the 2014 Brazil Fifa World Cup finals and this is the main cause. I felt that continuing as international referee will minimise the chances of my colleagues. I’m truly proud of our international referee Mohammed Abdulla who was appointed for the final of the recent AFC U-22 Cup finals in Muscat and he deserves every support to represent the UAE in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup finals in Australia and the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia,” he said. Meanwhile, Mohammed Omer, UAEFA board member and chairman of the referees committee said Hamad’s decision to step down is a great loss for them. “This is the first time to announce the retirement of a UAE referee in a news conference which underlines the attention of the FA of the future of the football judges. Hamad’s retirement resulted from the injury which he has sustained, but he will continue to be part of our community to make use of his experience,” he said.
UAEFA relies on UAE referees alone Riyadh/ Wednesday February 5, 2014: HE Yousuf Al Serkal, president of the UAE football association (UAEFA) welcomed the idea of signing a protocol with the Gulf football governing bodies regarding the exchange of referees, but reiterated that they have no plans to employ referees from the neighbouring states in their local competitions, including the Arabian Gulf League. “The strategy of the UAEFA is based on preserving the national refereeing system and not to employ any referees from abroad. This was also the same strategy that has been adopted by the previous managements of the UAEFA and we are following in their footsteps,” he said. Al Serkal said they are prepared to cooperate in exchanging expertise and give the national referees the chance to take part in external competitions, but they have no intentions to bring in referees from other GCC associations. He also hailed the great success of the Gulf countries’ referees. “The referees committee within the UAEFA is doing very well and receives the support of the FA board to ensure the success of the refereeing system through training camps and courses, lectures with the helpful assistance of the international expertise in the field. “We are prepared to provide all our experience to support our brothers in this regard and to exchange expertise with our Gulf brothers,” he said.
Title is far from won, warns Catalin Raducan Dubai: Al Ahli assistant coach Catalin Raducan warned his players against complacency, despite maintaining their six-point lead at the top of the Arabian Gulf League with a 3-1 away win over Al Shaab on Friday. Second-place Al Shabab kept the pressure up on the league leaders with a 1-0 home win over Al Wasl, while third-place Al Jazira slipped to a 1-0 away defeat to Ajman on Friday. However, it is the movement of defending champions Al Ain, up three positions to fifth with a 3-0 away win over Dubai Club on Thursday – their first away win in 10 months – that will have Raducan on high alert. The Garden City club are now just two points short of fourth-place Sharjah, who drew 2-2 away to Al Dhafra on Thursday, and level on points with sixth-place Al Nasr, who were held to a goalless draw at home to Emirates Club on Saturday. Al Ain are now just 12 points behind Al Ahli with nine games to play, prompting Raducan, whose side are still set for difficult away trips to Al Ain, Al Jazira and Al Shabab, to send out a warning to his squad. “We have an advantage, but it means nothing,” said Raducan. “We have to remain modest and remember that we have not won anything yet. “So we need to respect all our opponents and stay focused until the final round, taking it step by step. And don’t forget, we have tough away matches at Al Ain, Al Jazira and Al Shabab.” Meanwhile, Al Ain coach Quique Sanchez Flores expressed his desire to keep moving up the table. “It’s most important, in forthcoming matches, to get three points and improve our position in the table,” said Flores. “When I joined Al Ain I was aware I was taking on a big club with a good history, which looks to win every game. “We lost a lot of points in this competition, but our focus is now on getting back to winning ways. Our primary focus now will be finishing inside the top three.”
Al Ahli host training sessions for SEPT India in bid to boost fanbase League leaders Al Ahli are looking to tap in to the local Indian expat population and boost club revenues by developing a link with academy SEPT India. The partnership will see elite Dubai-based Indians train twice a week at the Red Knights’ Rashid Stadium complex where they will receive expert coaching and guidance. Numbers are expected to be between 26 and 60 children ranging from eight to 14 years old. The club will have the option of signing any elite talent that develop within the system, moving them to their in-house academy which is allowed two players with foreign passports, permitting their families are employed and eligible to work in the UAE. Not only will the venture boost the quality of local expat children’s footballing abilities, and the subsequent health benefits, but the club is hoping it will help the population engage with the club and boost attendance. Club CEO Ahmad Khalifa said: “Al Ahli is one of the biggest clubs here; our achievements are very well known and the local Indian community will get the benefits of the facilities here. “This partnership will benefit both sides and I think this will be a very good business model in the future. “It will be available on weekdays and the boys will be taught under professional coaches and their family will also have easy access to watch matches. “At the U17 World Cup in the UAE, we saw Indians were very interested in football," he added. “The Indian community needs to play more of a part in football here, I think India is a very good market for football. There are no Indian stars in football like there are in other sports, this is a good time to explore. “The second benefit is that Al Ahli will be part of the community here and we will be there to support them. “I think many pass in front of the gates of the stadium and don’t know what is behind the wall, it is not a military base. “Once they enter the gate they will have easy access to this place. Many live next to us and they can come here for fitness and life.” Al Ahli should certainly have no trouble with attracting fans with their on-field product. The Red Knights are currently sitting pretty six points clear at the top of the Arabian Gulf League with an away game against relegation-threatened Emirates Club on Thursday.