UAE national team at crossroads after a mixed year

Yahya Al-Ghassani was one of the UAE's brightest spots during 2024. (X/@UAEFNT)
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Updated 03 January 2025
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UAE national team at crossroads after a mixed year

  • An improving 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign was followed by a disappointing 2024 Arabian Gulf Cup exit for Paulo Bento’s team

DUBAI: A mixed 2024 for Paulo Bento’s UAE ended with ample Arabian Gulf Cup angst, but signs are still apparent for a glittering 2025.

 

Al-Wasl talisman Fabio De Lima’s 95th-minute penalty miss versus Oman sealed Group A-elimination in Kuwait and made it two successive regional editions without victory. Quite the comedown for an improving side that was tipped for glory at the 26th running of the cup.

 

Winter success, though, was never the true target. A rampant November in qualifying made hopes real of earning a World Cup return for the first time since 1990.

 

Arab News assesses the highs and lows of this intriguing calendar year, plus looks to the future.

 

 

Story of 2024

 

With feet firmly through the door after his July 2023 arrival, Bento could be under no illusions about what a first full year at the helm had to produce.

 

The ex-Portugal and South Korea supremo had several core tasks. He was asked to inspire an assault on last winter’s Asian Cup and guide the UAE through a generous second-round group in World Cup 2026 qualifying.

 

In addition, he had to lay the foundation for a sustained charge at automatic entry via the third round and succeed where recent predecessors had failed in the Arabian Gulf Cup.

 

Supplementary objectives involved further defining a style of play, continuing generational change and successful integration of a growing stream of naturalized options.

 

However, tournament failures would bookend the year for the team. Asian Cup debutants Tajikistan dumped the UAE out in a frustrating round-of-16 penalty shootout, while they followed rivals Qatar onto an early flight home at the Arabian Gulf Cup.

 

In contrast, serene second-round progress in World Cup 2026 qualifying came as Group G winners, with a plus-14 goal difference.

 

Their confidence then ballooned when the third round began with a redemptive 3-1 victory at double Asian Cup kings Qatar. This would deflate during a subsequent three-match winless run, including a demoralizing 1-1 home draw to Group A’s bottom-placed North Korea.

 

November’s qualifiers had to deliver, and they did. An emphatic 3-0 victory versus Kyrgyzstan was followed by a riotous and unforgettable 5-0 thumping of Qatar, containing a super hat-trick for De Lima.

 

A three-point gap to Group A runners-up Uzbekistan with four fixtures to fulfil is tantalizing.

 

It now appears the foundations have been set for a second-ever World Cup appearance. How Bento handles the secondary challenges that appeared in 2024 will define 2025.

 

 

New leaders emerge

 

Discussions regarding Bento’s tenure have often devolved into arguments about who has not been selected, rather than on those representing their nation.

 

Record goalscorer Ali Mabkhout has not been seen since playing zero minutes at the 2023 Asian Cup. Fellow veterans Majed Hassan and Bandar Al-Ahbabi are among those enjoying evergreen campaigns for their clubs yet are still overlooked by the Whites.

 

And Wasl golden boy Ali Saleh was the surprise name absent from the recent Arabian Gulf Cup, after late injury ruled him out of November’s qualifiers.

 

Tweaks will surely be made for March’s key matches at Iran and North Korea. A return to peak match fitness after serious injury by Al-Jazira’s metronome midfielder Abdullah Ramadan is essential.

 

But the noise that surrounds these calls should not distract from the leaders who emerged in 2024.

 

De Lima netted six times in the calendar year, while maturing Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club flyer Yahya Al-Ghassani joined him on the same tally, with several efforts of sublime quality. And Sharjah fullback Khalid Ibrahim has proved his dependability.

 

Most pertinently, however, was the increasing torrent of naturalized selections who defined 2024, led by the versatile Marcus Meloni, Al-Ain center-back Kouame Autonne and Fleetwood Town’s Mackenzie Hunt.

 

 

New faces, new questions

 

A UAE Football Association naturalization plan of over five years in the making is bearing fruit.

 

The aforementioned trio, plus the likes of lively Ajman midfielder Isam Faiz and emerging Montpellier forward Junior Ndiaye, are changing the face of Emirati football.

 

Al-Wahda center-back Lucas Pimenta travelled to Kuwait, as did teenage Al-Ain midfielder Solomon Sosu. Many more will come online throughout the latter stages of World Cup 2026 qualifying.

 

This potentially includes Caio Canedo who has a formidable 11-goal contribution in 10 ADNOC Pro League runouts for Sharjah in 2024/2025.

 

It is now up to Bento to make the most of this harvest. Getting the blend right is critical.

 

 

Does defense need a facelift?

 

Only Iraq and omnipotent Japan have conceded fewer goals than the UAE in third-round qualifying.

 

So far, so solid. Yet, a fragility on display at the Arabian Gulf Cup is of concern.

 

Jazira center-back Khalifa Al-Hammadi erred in last month’s 2-1 Kuwait defeat, and international partner Autonne was also dismissed in that match.

 

Pimenta is now on board, with his hugely impressive Tunisia-born club-mate Alaeddine Zouhir a future naturalized option.

 

Returns for Shabab Al-Ahli full-backs Ahmad Jamil and Bader Nasser would be welcomed. And goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqebaali, 21, is an enviable prospect who looks poised for senior action.

 

 

Mission to find another Mabkhout

 

Last year began with a change of the guard up top.

 

The 85-goal Mabkhout was watching in Qatar as an emergent Sultan Adil got among the Asian Cup scorers. The powerful latter-mentioned striker has, however, been unable to feature for Shabab Al-Ahli or his country this season.

 

The UAE have netted 12 times in the third round, equaling Iran and South Korea’s tallies while outscoring Qatar, Iraq, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

 

Seasoned Wasl campaigners De Lima and Caio Canedo still pack a punch but more is expected, however, from Jazira forward Bruno Conceicao, with Ndiaye’s international career also still to ignite.

 

Bento must surely want Adil involved for March’s seismic away trips.


UK politicians urge England to boycott cricket match against Afghanistan in Pakistan

Updated 15 sec ago
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UK politicians urge England to boycott cricket match against Afghanistan in Pakistan

  • Over 160 politicians sign letter urging England stand against Taliban regime's restrictions on women's rights
  • England are scheduled to play against Afghanistan in Pakistan's Lahore on Feb. 26 in a Champions Trophy clash

LONDON: England should refuse to play the Champions Trophy cricket match against Afghanistan next month according to a letter signed by more than 160 U.K. politicians. The politicians want the England and Wales Cricket Board to take a stand against the Taliban regime’s assault on women's rights and boycott the men's one-day international against Afghanistan in Lahore, Pakistan, on Feb. 26.
Female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, a move that puts the Afghanistan Cricket Board in contravention of International Cricket Council rules.
Because Afghanistan’s men are still allowed to compete by the ICC, a strongly worded letter has emerged from the U.K. parliament pleading for the ECB to make its own moral objection.
Penned by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by a cross-party group from the House of Commons and House of Lords including Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn, it raises the “insidious dystopia” unfolding in Afghanistan.
The statement, addressed to ECB chief executive Richard Gould, concludes: "We strongly urge the England men's team players and officials to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
"We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan... to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated.
“We must stand against sex apartheid and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked.”
Gould issued a swift response, reaffirming ECB principles while suggesting it favoured a uniform approach from all member nations rather than acting alone.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” he said.
“The ICC constitution mandates that all member nations are committed to the growth and development of women's cricket. In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not scheduling any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan.
“A coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members.
“We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society.
It’s crucial to recognize the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country.”
At the 2003 Cricket World Cup, England forfeited a game against Zimbabwe in protest at Robert Mugabe's regime.


Forest tame Wolves to maintain unlikely Premier League title challenge

Updated 07 January 2025
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Forest tame Wolves to maintain unlikely Premier League title challenge

  • Forest remain third in the table but move level on points with Arsenal

WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom: Nottingham Forest’s stunning season continued with a 3-0 victory at Wolves on Monday to give manager Nuno Espirito Santo a winning return to Molineux.
England international Morgan Gibbs-White and the in-form Chris Wood struck before half-time to take Forest to within six points of leaders Liverpool, who they host in their next Premier League game.
Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi rounded off the scoring and a sixth consecutive win for Forest in stoppage time.
Defeat leaves Wolves outside the relegation zone only thanks to goal difference as they suffered a first defeat under new boss Vitor Pereira.
Forest remain third in the table but move level on points with Arsenal.
Even if a shock title challenge proves beyond Espirito Santo’s men, they are building up an impressive cushion in the race for Champions League football next season.
They are five points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle and six in front of struggling champions Manchester City in sixth.
A top-four finish would guarantee a return to the continent’s elite competition for the first time in 45 years for the two-time European champions.
However, fifth could also be good enough depending on how English club fare in European competition this season.
“We need to stay humble. We haven’t achieved anything yet, we need to work until the end and this can lead us to good moments,” said Espirito Santo.
Gibbs-White savoured his return to the club where he spent the early part of his career.
In front of the watching new England manager Thomas Tuchel, the midfielder did his case for further international recognition no harm with a cool finish from Antony Elanga’s pass.
Forest’s unexpected rise from battling relegation until the final day of last season into Champions League contenders has been build on a solid defense and Wood’s purple patch.
The New Zealand international turned in Callum Hudson-Odoi’s low cross for his 12th goal of the season to double the visitors’ lead just before half-time.
Wolves pressed and probed for a way back into the game after the break but were toothless in the absence of talisman Matheus Cunha through suspension.
Mats Sels was forced into one brilliant save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen to preserve a ninth clean sheet of the season and fourth in a row.
That solidity is familiar to Wolves fans from Espirito Santo’s time in charge of their club between 2017 and 2021.
The Portuguese coach led Wanderers from the Championship into Europe for the first time in 39 years.
Now after troubled spells at Tottenham and Saudi club Al-Ittihad, he is recreating that magic to leave Forest fans in dreamland.
“As coaching staff we have this natural ambition of improving the players, this is what we are obsessed with,” he added.
“If we improve the players then the team will improve and if the team improves then the club will improve and the city will be happy.”


WWE Royal Rumble coming to Saudi Arabia in 2026

Updated 07 January 2025
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WWE Royal Rumble coming to Saudi Arabia in 2026

  • The event in Riyadh next January will be the first time it has taken place outside North America
  • It is being organized in partnership with Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority as part of Riyadh Season

RIYADH: Royal Rumble is coming Saudi Arabia early next year, when the WWE’s flagship annual show will make its first appearance outside North America.

The 39th Royal Rumble will be hosted by the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in January 2026, organizers announced on Monday. It will be staged in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, as part of the annual cultural and sports program known as Riyadh Season.

Turki Alalshikh, the authority’s chairperson, said: “Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Royal Rumble for the first time outside North America reflects the General Entertainment Authority’s ongoing commitment to bringing the world’s largest and most important entertainment events to the Kingdom.

“Through this partnership with WWE, we aim to enhance the entertainment sector and deliver a transformative experience that attracts a wide audience.”

The announcement came during the debut episode of Monday Night RAW on Netflix, broadcast from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Royal Rumble is an annual WWE Premium Live Event that includes both men’s and women’s bouts, with fighters battling to eliminate all their opponents and secure a shot at the championship at WrestleMania.

Nick Khan, WWE’s president, said: “WWE is a global enterprise and it only made sense to expand our relationship with the Kingdom by bringing one of our biggest annual events to Riyadh in January of 2026.”


Leao, Pulisic and Abraham inspire AC Milan comeback in 3-2 win over Inter in Italian Super Cup final

Updated 07 January 2025
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Leao, Pulisic and Abraham inspire AC Milan comeback in 3-2 win over Inter in Italian Super Cup final

  • It was the fifth time in the last seven years that the competition was played in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: It took exactly one week on the job for Sergio Conceicao to earn his first trophy as AC Milan’s coach — with two comeback wins no less.
Milan came back from two goals down to beat city rivals Inter Milan 3-2 and win the Italian Super Cup on Monday.
Rafael Leao came off the bench and played a part in all three of Milan’s goals from Theo Hernandez, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham.
Conceicao was hired to replace the fired Paulo Fonseca last Monday and also led the Rossoneri to a comeback win over Juventus in the semifinals.
This time, Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi put Inter ahead with goals on either side of halftime.
Leao then earned a foul that resulted in a free kick which Hernandez curled in around Inter’s wall.
Then Pulisic finished off a counterattack by shooting through Augusto’s legs on a play that began with Leao.
For the third goal, Leao provided a through ball for Pulisic, who crossed to Abraham, who tapped into an empty net in stoppage time.
It was the fifth time in the last seven years that the competition was played in Saudi Arabia, and the second year of an expanded four-team format.
A throw-in led to Inter’s opener as Taremi fed the ball inside the area to Lautaro, who cut back before shooting through Hernandez’s legs on Inter’s only real chance of the half.
Taremi, who was playing in place of the injured Marcus Thuram, finished off a counterattack right after the break.
Milan play their first Serie A match under Conceicao against Cagliari on Saturday. The Rossoneri are in eighth place but will return to league action with much more confidence.


Al-Rajhi, Sanders win 48-hour stages at Dakar Rally

Updated 06 January 2025
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Al-Rajhi, Sanders win 48-hour stages at Dakar Rally

  • For this long stage, which started on Sunday, the competitors had to bivouac in the desert

BISHA, Saudi Arabia: Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi held on to his overnight lead to win the second stage of the Dakar 2025 rally on Monday, the fearsome “48-hour Chrono” while defending champion Carlos Sainz limped in 1h 30min behind.

The 43-year-old racing in his home country completed the 967km special stage, spread over two days, in 10h 56min 54sec, despite a 2min penalty for speeding.

He was followed by South African Henk Lategan at 4min 16sec with Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah, who overtook Al-Rahji briefly to hold the lead for 142k, finishing third.

“It was really, really hard. I feel like this is our tenth day on the Dakar,” said Al Rajhi on his arrival at the bivouac of the rally, which began on Friday.

“The navigation was very, very difficult in some places, due to the divots and dust. You needed a rocket, not a car to pass through them. It wasn’t easy.”

For this long stage, which started on Sunday, the competitors had to bivouac in the desert and did not benefit from the assistance of their teams at the night stop.

Sainz seriously damaged his Ford Raptor when he rolled it on Sunday but managed to finish the stage although the Spaniard is now 26th in the standings.

Nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, who is still looking for his first Dakar victory, was half an hour behind at the camp on Sunday evening, after a fan problem caused his engine to overheat.

But the Frenchman had a better Monday, making up much of the deficit to finish seventh, 13min 10sec behind the leader.

South African Lategan tops the provisional standings, 4min 45sec ahead of Al Rajhi with Al Attiyah in third. Loeb is sixth, 18min 56sec off the lead.

“We looked after the car for the stage because we knew it was really, really long,” said Lategan.

“If you don’t look after the car, it won’t look after you. It’s actually a big surprise to be first because we haven’t been really focusing on it. But I’m happy with that.”

Australian Daniel Sanders continues to dominate on the bikes, his victory in their “48-hour Chrono” making it three in a row after he also won the prologue and first stage.

It is the first time any rider has taken the first three stages since Spaniard Joan Barreda in 2017 between Bolivia and Argentina.

“It wasn’t too bad, pretty hard in the soft dunes, it was very tough for a lot of us,” said Sanders.

“When opening, you didn’t know if it was going to be a soft dune or a hard dune. It was pretty tough. The dust kind of ruined it a lot. Everyone was bunched up fighting in the dust for the opening bonuses. It was a bit tough on that side.”

Sanders took victory on his KTM in a time of 11hr 12min 13sec, 6min 45sec ahead of Frenchman Adrien van Beveren (Honda) with American Skyler Howes (Honda) in third.

Sanders, who is aiming to become the second Australian to win the Dakar on a bike after Toby Price, holds a 12min 36sec lead over Howes in the provisional overall standings.

Botswana’s Ross Branch (Hero) lies third, 4sec behind the American.