AHMED BIN NASIR CROWNS AL WAHDA UNDER-21 CHAMPIONS His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasir bin Zayed Al Nahyan crowned Al Wahda as the Under 21 League champions after they clinched the title, beating Al Shabab 1-0 in the final round match at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Participating in the crowning ceremony were Abdulla Al Junaibi, Chairman of The Pro League Committee, Hamad Al Darmaki, Vice President of Al Wahda Club's Board of Directors, Ahmed Al Rumaithi, President of Al Wahda Football Company and Abdulhameed Al Mestaka, Member of The Executive Office and President of The Technical Committee at the PLC. Al Wahda's win took their points record to 64 points, securing the league title with a five-points gap over their nearest challengers Al Ain who lost to Kalba 2-4 to freeze at 59 points in second place after the two clubs fought a fierce title battle.
New football team to be known as Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club from next season Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, decreed the merging of Al Shabab, Al Ahli and Dubai Club into one entity called Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club, on Tuesday. In Sharjah, His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued a resolution merging Al Shaab Club and Al Sharjah Club into a single entity, which will be called Sharjah Cultural Club. Regarding the mergers of the Dubai clubs, Shaikh Mohammad said: “We seek to build a strong football team that can compete continentally and globally.” Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, has been appointed chairman of the Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club. Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, has been named first vice chairman, and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, has been named second vice chairman. A high committee has been formed to oversee the merger under the chairmanship of Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, and an investment company, chaired by Hesham Abdullah Al Qasim, will be formed to manage and combine the assets of all three clubs. The new club’s headquarters will be at Dubai Club in Al Awir.
The second merger will see the combinaiton of Al Shaab Sports and Cultural Club and Sharjah Sport and Cultural Club into a single entity called Sharjah Sports and Cultural Club UAE state news agency WAM reported that the merger aimed to improve the level of sport in the emirate and consolidate efforts “to serve all sports and group and individual games”. Sharjah Sports Council will manage the new entity during the transition until a board of directors is appointed.
UAE U-19 National Team Beats Japan 2 – 1 UAE U-19 National Team won its friendly match held Friday evening versus Japan 2 – 1. The match was played at Theyab Awana Pitch within the context of the White’s preparations for AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers scheduled next October. Tahnon Al Zaabi and Saif Saeed scored the two goals of the White at minutes 27 and 51 respectively, while Kozaki scored the only goal of Japan at the seventh minute. The match was witnessed by Khalifa Al Ghafli, UAE FA Board Member; Obaid Al Shamsi, UAE FA Technical Director and Rashid Amer, Head of Training Centers. The first half witnessed the domination of Japan which was faced with the compacted defense of the White; however a tiny mistake in UAE defense line paved the way for Japan to score its first goal at minute 7. Tahnon was succeeded to equalize the score from a fantastic shot at minute 29 and end the first half in a positive draw 1 – 1. The second half began with attacking pressure from the White till Saif Saeed led a promising attack resulting in the second goal for the White at minute 69, after which japan had made many attempts but without success. The final score was 2 – 1 in favor of the White. The Team Manager, Salem Al Yaqoobi praised the standard of the team versus a very strong opponent like japan, one of the finalist in FIFA U-20 World Cup. He added “we still have four months ahead of Asian Qualifiers and it will be a good period for further preparation camps and friendly games until we reach peak technical and physical standard”
HH Mohamed Bin Rashid Crowns Al Wahda Champion for President Cup His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, crowned Al Wahda champion for President Cup following its big victory over Al Nasr in the final match played at ZSC in Abu Dhabi. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid congratulated Al Wahda for their wonderful achievement and expressed his best wishes for UAE football to see more progress in all regional and international sports events. The final was attended by HH Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Al Wahda Chairman; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan, Al Nasr Chairman and HE Marwan bin Ghalita, UAE FA President as well as many sports leaders.
Round of 16 - May 22nd 1st leg- results ESTEGHLAL TEHRAN (IRN) 1 - 0 AL AIN (UAE) AL AHLI (KSA) 1 - 1 AL AHLI (UAE)
Round of 16 - May 22nd 2nd leg- results AL AIN (UAE) 6 - 1 ESTEGHLAL TEHRAN (IRN) AL AHLI (UAE) 1 - 3 AL AHLI (KSA)
Edgardo Bauza names UAE squad to face Thailand in must-win 2018 World Cup qualifier Edgardo Bauza has named his first UAE squad ahead of the national team’s must-win World Cup qualifier against Thailand next month. The Argentine, installed two weeks ago as Mahdi Ali’s successor, has selected 30 players, keeping the majority of the squad chosen for the twin defeats to Japan and Australia in qualifying in March. Only Mohammed Abdulrahman, the Al Ain midfielder, misses out from that group. A number of fresh call-ups from President’s Cup winners Al Wahda have been added, though, including forward Mohammed Al Akberi, winger Tariq Ahmed, midfielder Khalid Bawazir and goalkeeper Rashid Ali. Club teammates Ismail Matar and Hamdan Al Kamali have been recalled. Al Ain right-back Mohammed Ahmed has returned following a lengthy injury. The entire squad will meet in Dubai on May 30 for a two-day internal camp before travelling to Malaysia on June 1. The UAE have arranged a friendly with Lebanon on June 7 — Bauza’s first match in charge — before leaving for Thailand the following day. The qualifier with Thailand takes place in Bangkok on June 13. The UAE sit fourth in Group B in the final stage of qualifying for next year’s World Cup, two spots and seven points outside the automatic qualification spots with three matches remaining. They are four points behind Australia in third place — a position that opens a possible route to Russia through a series of play-offs. After bottom-placed Thailand next month, the UAE host joint-leaders Saudi Arabia on August 31 before facing Iraq away on September 5. Full UAE squad: Ali Khaseif, Mohammed Fawzi, Fares Juma, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout (Al Jazira), Majed Naser, Abdulaziz Haikal, Abdulaziz Sanqour, Walid Abbas, Khamis Esmail, Habib Fardan, Ismail Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil (Al Ahli), Khalid Essa, Ismail Ahmed, Mohanad Salem, Mohammed Ahmed, Ahmed Barman, Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain), Rashid Ali, Hamdan Al Kamali, Khalid Bawazir, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akberi, Ismail Matar (Al Wahda), Hassan Ibrahim, Mohammed Marzouq (Al Shabab), Mahmoud Khamis, Tariq Ahmed, Salem Saleh (Al Nasr).
Al Kaabi & Naseri Embark Professional Experiment in Hungary Big European clubs have expressed their desire in recruiting UAE players after their outstanding performance in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017. The players Haitham Al Kaabi and Abbas Naseri have joined the Hungarian club Gold Wein Plus which is participating Euro Winners’ Cup. UAE Beach Soccer National Team Captain Waleed Mohamadi and the goalkeeper Humaid Jamal have joined the Hungarian Club ESC Gyӧngyӧs in a professional experiment extends till the end of Euro Winners’ Cup. The coach Al Mazmi and his assistant may contract with one of the European clubs. Haitham Al Kaabi who scored two goals in the Mundial said “this is experiment is very distinguishable opportunity after a season full of achievements” The player Abbas Naseri thanked all people who assisted him in reaching this professional experience, particularly his family and the national team. Both players wish to see the launch of beach soccer league in the next season, in order to raise the interest of clubs in this type of football.
The UAE Commences the 2nd Phase of Preparation in Kuala Lumpur In preparation for FIFA World Cup 2018 Asian Qualifier Final Round, UAE National (A) Team conducted its first training session of the training camp in Kuala Lumpur yesterday evening. The squad includes 27 players: Ali Mabkhout, Mohamed Fouzi, Khalfan Mubarak, Fares Juma and Khalid Al Senani (Al Jazira); Hassan Ibrahim (Al Shabab); Tariq Ahmed, Salem Saleh, Mahmoud Khamis, Hamdan Al Kamali, Ismail Matter, Khalid Bawazir, Mohamed Al Akbari, Tariq Ahmed (Al Wahda); Abdulaziz Haikel, Abdulaziz Sanqour, Waleed Abbas, Khamis Ismail, Habib Al Ferdan, Ahmed Khalil, Majed Nasser (Al Ahli); Ahmed Barman, Mohanad Al Enzi, Omar Abdulrahman, Khalid Eissa, Mohamed Ahmed (Al Ain) and Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah). The training camp in Kuala Lumpur will end on 8 June before the team travelling to Bangkok for its match versus Thailand. The Team Manager Bauza expressed his happiness with the interaction of players and affirmed that the mission is not easy and we must win the remaining three matches. Abdulqader Hassan: Ideal Morale among the Players Abdulqader Hassan, Director of National Team Department said that UAE National Team launched the second phase of preparation for its game versus Thailand after its arrival in Malaysia for external training camp as final stage before traveling to Thailand. He added that everyone is optimistic that the White will achieve good results and every player is working hard to secure a place in the lineup. He concluded “we have instructions from UAE FA President to provide all means of success for the national team”. AFC Approves Change for the Date KSA Game In another note, our match versus KSA will be held on 29 August 2017 instead of its former date on 31 August 2017 which will coincide with Day of Arafa. Mohamed Ahmed: Glad to Return to the White The player Mohamed Ahmed said “I am very happy to return to the national team after more than 8 months of absence due to injury, I hope I could show high performance in the coming matches and to be ready for giving support and assistance when needed” Tariq Al Khadim: I am Proud to Join the White The player Tariq Al Khadim expressed his happiness and pride for joining the national team and that he appreciated the trust of Bauza when watching him at President Cup Final. He said “this my first international debut as I have not been called up for any national team before, so this is my big dream and I wish to represent UAE in a great manner”. In respect to players’ harmony, he said Bauza is trying to demonstrate his technical vision and address some issues through theoretical sessions and remarks.
Al Abdoli Calls up 26 Players for U-23 National Team Squad The national coach Hassan Al Abdoli called up 26 players for internal training camp from 7 to 15 June 2017 in preparation for AFC U-23 Championship China 2018 Qualifiers, which will be held in Al Ain from 15 to 19 July 2017. The squad includes: Mohamed Al Shamsi, Khalid Ibrahim, Abdulla Faisal, Ahmed Rashid, Ahmed Salman, Mohamed Rashid and Mohamed Abdulbasit (Al Wahda); Ahmed Jamil and Ahmed Mohamed (Al Jazira); Jamal Ismail (Al Shaab); Ali Aid, Mohamed Saeed and Saeed Juma (Al Ain); Saeed Jasim (Al Ahli); Shahin Sorour (Kalba); Majad Ibrahim and Omar Juma (Sharjah); Hassan Mohamed and Suhail Al Nobi (Baniyas); Adel Sabail (Al Shabab); and Jasim Yaqoob (Al Nasr); in addition to the players Mohamed Salman, Khalid Bawazir and Khalfan Al Shamsi who joined The UAE First Team.
The General Assembly Approves 12 Clubs for PLC in the Sports Season 2017 – 2018. Working Group to Study the Conversion of PLC to UPL Dubai/ Sunday, 11th June, 2017: UAE FA General Assembly held its second meeting yesterday at Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai under chairmanship of UAE FA President, Marwan bin Ghalita and in the presence of Nasser Al Jeneibi, Vice President and PLC Chairman; Saeed Al Teneiji, Vice President; Members of Board of Directors; Ibrahim Hassan Al Nemer, UAE FA General Secretary; Nasser bin Thaloub, President’s Office Director and Representatives of 32 clubs. The meeting approved the decision of Board of Directors on the number of clubs in Professional League for the sports season 2017 – 2018 in view of the latest merger of some clubs, and it was decided to stage the sports season 2017 – 2018 with 12 clubs to be increased to 14 clubs as of the next season 2018 – 2019. Prior to the commencement of next season the mechanism for promotion and relegations of clubs must be establshished. The meeting approved amendments to some of UAE FA regulations and decided to establish a committee to study Code of Ethics. The General Assembly assigned UAE FA Vice President and Chairman of PLC, Abdulla Nasser Al Jeneibi, to form working group to the study the project of converting Professional League Committee to UAE Professional League.
AGL REMAINS ASIA’S TOP LEAGUE The Arabian Gulf League retained its place at the top of the Asian leagues rankings in the AFC's Club Competitions ranking for June 2017. The top three places in the table remained the same, with the UAE top of the rankings with 95.428 points, followed by South Korea with 89.128. The UAE's lead comes in the wake of Al Ain's progress to the quarter-final of the 2017 AFC Champions League, as well as the UAE national team's continued presence in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The rankings take into account the results of clubs and national teams in official competitions. This achievement is a testament to all parties involved in Emirati football. Credit is due to the attention and support paid by the wise leadership of the UAE to sports in general and football in particular.
Metrif Al Shamsi: Olympic National Team Ready for Asian Qualifiers UAE Olympic National Team conducted its 8th training session at UAE FA pitch in Dubai under supervision of its coach Hassan Al Abdoli, within the preparations for AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers. The Team Manager, Metrif Al Shamsi praised the high spirit of players during the gathering and affirmed that the technical staff will launch the next station for preparation with internal gathering in the period 18 to 25 June 2017, with friendly game versus Bahrain on 24 June 2017. He confirmed that the players Adel Sabil and Hamdan Naser will be absent due to injuries. The squad includes 27 players: Mohamed Hassan, Khalid Ibrahim, Abdulla Faisal, Ahmed Rashid, Ahmed Salman, Mohamed Salman, Mohamed Rashid and Mohamed Abdulbasit (Al Wahda), Ahmed Jamil, Ahmed Al Hashimi, Mohamed Al Attas, Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira) Jamal Al Hosani (Al Shaab), Khalid Bawazir (Al Wasl), Ali Aid, Saeed Bosanda, Saeed Jumaa (Al Ain), Saeed Jasem (Al Ahli), Shaheen Sorour (Kalba), Majed Ibrahim, Omar Juma (Sharjah, Hassan Al Mahrami, Suhail Ahmed Al Noobi, Khalid Mohamed (Baniyas) Abdulla Al Noobi (Hatta), Zayed Al Hammadi (Al Dhafra) and Jasem Yaqoob (Al Nasr).
UAE fail to qualify for AFC U-23 Championship Results UAE 5-0 Nepal UAE 1-0 Lebanon UAE 0-2 Uzbekistan
PLC CONDUCTS THE NEW SEASON DRAW WITH PARTICIPATION FROM 12 TEAMS The 2017-18 Arabian Gulf League and Cup draw was conducted on Thursday 3rd of August at the UAE FA headquarters in Dubai. The draw was organised by the Pro League Committee and attended by HE Abdulla Naser Al Junaibi, Chairman of the PLC and representatives of the 12 clubs involved in the PLC's competitions for the new season in addition to the PLC work team and various media outlet. The draw started with showcasing the teams participating in the two competitions, followed by a detailed presentation of the mechanisms and procedures of the draw for each competition, explaining the stages and criteria adopted by the PLC in determining the draw paths. Sharjah Club and UAE national team former goalkeeper Mohsen Mesabeh and former Al Shabab player Yousif Uzair participated in the draw ceremony. The draw started with the Arabian Gulf Cup draw, consisting of three stages; Arabian Gulf League reigning champions Al Jazira were placed in group A while Arabian Gulf Cup champions Al Ahli headed group B in the first draw. In the second stage, top six clubs in the 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League except Al Jazira and Al Ahli (Al Wasl, Al Ain, Al Wahda, Al Nasr, Al Dhafra, Sharjah) were drawn equally between the two groups. The third stage included Hatta, Dibba, Emirates and newly promoted Ajman. The draw produced the following groups; Al Jazira were joined by Al Dhafra, Al Ain, Al Nasr, Hatta and Ajman in group A while Shabab Al Ahli Dubai head group B which also includes Al Wahda, Sharjah, Al Wasl, Emirates and Dibba. Round 1 of the competition brings Al Jazira an away trip to Al Dhafra while Al Ain host Hatta, Al Nasr face Ajman and Al Wahda welcome Shabab Al Ahli Dubai to Al Nahyan Stadium. Sharjah host Emirates and Hatta visit Al Wasl. According to the new format of the competition, the Arabian Gulf Cup will take place in a one leg round-robin league with the top four teams in each group progressing to the quarter-final which is played in a two-legged knock-out format. The same format is applied in the semi-final while the final is played in a single match on a neutral ground. The ceremony continued with the Arabian Gulf League draw which was conducted in two stages; the first included teams ranked 1 to 6 in the 2016-17 Arabian Gulf League table, which were drawn into slots (2, 3, 6, 7, 9 and 11). In the second stage, teams ranked 7th to 12th were drawn into slots (1, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 12). Champions Al Jazira begin their title defence at home against newly promoted Ajman while Al Wasl face Al Ain at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. The rebranded Shabab Al Ahli Dubai debut at home against Hatta in the first round. Al Wahda host Dibba while Sharjah welcome Al Nasr and Al Dhafra travel to Ras Al Khaima to face Emirates. AGC schedule available here AGL schedule available here.