Best photos of June 9: Lotus flowers in Hanoi to DJ Tiësto on stage at the World Club Dome in Germany
To qualify automatically
UAE must beat Iraq.
Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match
UAE must beat Iraq.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
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Khaleej Times
an hour ago
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UAE football clubs support ban, fine on football players after behavioural violation
Two major UAE football clubs released their statements after their players were suspended, excluded from the national team and fined on June 8 by the country's football association. The UAE Football Association on Sunday suspended two players — Sharjah Club player Khalid Al Dhanhani and Shabab Al Ahli Club player Sultan Adel — and fined them both Dh500,000 each. As per the statement, the two players were penalised due to the violations committed by them inside the national team camp on June 7. Both the clubs issued official statements, supporting the temporary ban imposed on the players, which bars them from playing five matches in local competitions. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Sharjah Club said it had "closely reviewed" the statement issued by the authority regarding the suspension of Khalid Al-Zanahani, his exclusion from the national team squad, and the imposition of a fine. The club stated that it had "initiated the necessary disciplinary procedures against the player in accordance with the club's internal regulations, reflecting its commitment to the principles of discipline and responsibility". "The club regrets the occurrence of such conduct during the national team training camp and emphasises that representing the country is a great honour that requires all players to maintain professional behavior and full discipline. "Furthermore, the club reiterates its continued support for the national teams and affirms its dedication to preparing its players to be role models both on and off the field, in a manner that reflects the honorable image of Emirati football," it concluded. Shabab Al Ahli Club, on the other hand, "strongly" rejected and condemned the behaviour of its player Sultan Adel and said it had taken the necessary disciplinary action against him in accordance with its internal regulations. Calling players "ambassadors of the nation", the club emphasised that it was their responsibility to reflect a respectable image through their adherence to values, discipline, and sportsmanship. It also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting national teams and upholding the name of the UAE in regional and international arenas. Previous incidents The UAE maintains strict laws when it comes to hosting sporting games and other events. In May, Dubai-based football clubs Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli were fined a total of Dh150,000 following events that unfolded during the Adnoc Pro League match. The fans of both the clubs insulted each other, and threw liquid bottles onto the pitch and at the opposing team's fans. Al Wasl fans also a smoke bomb.
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Best photos of June 9: Lotus flowers in Hanoi to DJ Tiësto on stage at the World Club Dome in Germany
To qualify automatically UAE must beat Iraq. Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight. Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight. To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match UAE must beat Iraq. Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
The National
7 hours ago
- The National
UAE talent set to shine at Arenacross World Tour Finals, says Emirati legend Mohammed Al Balooshi
Emirati motocross legend Mohammed Al Balooshi believes this summer's Arenacross finals in Abu Dhabi will 'create that spark' to inspire the next generation of UAE motorcycling talent. Al Balooshi, 45, is a five-time Arab MX champion and three-time FIM Bajas world champion. He was also the first Emirati to compete in the Dakar Rally. While still an active competitor, he devotes much of his time to mentoring aspiring riders at his MX Academy in Dubai, where young racers hone their skills and dream of making their mark at major international events. Some of them will get the chance to do precisely that on July 5, when the Arenacross World Tour Finals come to Abu Dhabi for the first time. The UAE debut of Arenacross – like motocross on steroids and indoors – further cements Yas Island's status as a global motorsports hub. It also offers UAE talent the chance to shine, with a competition for local riders set to open the show at Etihad Arena. '[For local riders] to get a platform on such a big stage like this, I think this is the icing on the cake,' said Al Balooshi. 'And I think from here the future is bright for the upcoming riders and for the representatives of the UAE in future competitions.' Al Balooshi's academy was founded in 2011 for riders of all levels but with the ultimate aim to 'bring up world champions'. He feels the opportunity for his pupils to compete in front of a packed Etihad Arena amid the adrenalin-soaked glamour of Arenacross will provide the perfect incentive for those serious about a full-time career in the sport. I'm sure this will create that spark, that fire they need to pursue their career. Because we all need that moment. I believe this will be that moment, where they can take off Mohammed Al Balooshi 'We started the academy in 2011 to give back to the community, to introduce the sport and to reach as many people as possible,' he said. 'New clients and new members of the sport, to teach the basic foundations of riding. How to ride safe and how to be safe on the bike because this is such a beautiful sport... 'It's really a lot of hard work on the body and mind. So, yeah, we started this as our future plan to introduce [the sport] and hopefully to bring up world champions from this academy. 'This is the first time Arenacross is coming [to the UAE], our members are participating in the side event. So, this is their first introduction to this. I'm sure this will create that spark, that fire they need to pursue their career. Because we all need that moment. I believe this will be that moment, where they can take off.' Al Balooshi describes the UAE as a nation of 'petrolheads', and his career has spanned vast progress across many disciplines of motorsport. Racing in dirt cars and motorcycles through the open desert is deeply embedded in Emirati culture since the early 1970s which in turn helped establish the UAE as a hot spot for desert rallies such as the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Dubai International Baja. Etihad Arena was also the venue for the FIM World Supercross Championships in 2023 and 2024. 'The culture here, before motocross, is off-road. You see around, we have the most beautiful desert in the whole world,' Al Balooshi explained. 'So, to do any activity with the automotive industry is the best, because you bring the best of the best to come and race and put a good show where you can introduce a new event for people get to know what this sport is all about. 'The sport has been here since the early 1970s but now finally we see the big growth is coming in and a lot more. In the past 25 years of my career I've seen it growing every year, every five, ten, growing more and more. 'All of us here are petrolheads and we all love our bikes and cars … so it was a cultural thing and then soon we found, oh, you can race them. There is like a controlled environment where you can race and be safe and enjoy. 'The Arenacross is the next step, reaching the next level. I'm a very happy and proud Emirati to see the sport has grown to this point, and this is the best thing that happened to motorsports.' As a young man, Al Balooshi grew up trying to emulate Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the incumbent FIA president and one of the most successful rally drivers in the Middle East with 14 championship titles. 'For me and for many of us in the sport, he was our hero at the time,' Al Balooshi said of Ben Sulayem. 'Everyone at that time, including me, wanted to be like him. However, I didn't go towards the cars but took a liking to bikes. 'When I started the sport, we had only local races. Now we have two major international races – the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Dubai International Baja.' Matt Bates, CEO and founder of Arenacross, is excited to bring the event outside of the United Kingdom for the first time since it was launched in 2013. A former rider himself, Bates said to stage the season-ending championship race in Abu Dhabi was a breakthrough for the sport. 'Motocross is a sport that's been around a long time and we, many years ago, kind of perfected the art of putting motocross indoors and choreographing a performance and a show,' he said. 'What people can expect are some of the world's best motocross racers competing in an end of season championship, no different to any sport, any motorsport. 'But then what we wrap around that are the performances of freestyle motocross which is bikes backflipping and doing all sorts of tricks. 'We also then put the young kids that are the up and coming future of the sport, not just the sport of motocross but motorsports enthusiasts, and we train them to take part through an academy working with people like Mohammed Al Balooshi in putting the right riders forward and then they also compete in the event.' Lining up for the championship event are the UK's Dean Wilson, the current Arenacross championship leader, and compatriots Tommy Searle and Jack Brunell, the 2023 and 2024 Arenacross champions, respectively. Challenging them are French riders Cedric Soubeyras, Thomas Ramette and Adrien Escoffier, to name just a few.
