
UAE draws with Kyrgyzstan and qualifies for World Cup ِplay-off
With this victory, the UAE qualified for the Asian play-off round, placing third in Group A with 15 points. Kyrgyzstan, on the other hand, advanced to fifth place in the group with 8 points.
The UAE's Hareb Abdullah scored in the 30th minute; however, Kyrgyzstan's Kai Merk equalised late in the 95th minute ( 90+ ).

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Dubai Eye
5 days ago
- Dubai Eye
UAE draw Qatar in high-stakes World Cup qualifier
The United Arab Emirates are set to face reigning Asian champions Qatar in a pivotal clash as part of the fourth phase of Asia's 2026 World Cup qualifiers, following Thursday's group stage draw. Grouped alongside Qatar and Oman in Group B, the UAE will play Oman on October 11 before a high-profile encounter with Qatar on October 14, in a match that's expected to reignite regional football rivalry and test the UAE's World Cup ambitions. Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Cup but yet to qualify for a tournament outside their own soil, will kick off their campaign against Oman on October 8. In Group A, Saudi Arabia - eyeing their seventh World Cup appearance since 1994 - will host and open against Indonesia on October 8. Iraq then meet Indonesia on October 11, before facing the Saudis in the group decider on October 14. Only the winners of each group will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, joining Australia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan at the expanded 48-nation tournament in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.


Web Release
7 days ago
- Web Release
PUMA and Al Hilal FC Launch New 2025/26 Season Kits
PUMA Middle East is proud to announce Al Hilal FC's official 2025/26 home and away kits, celebrating a shared legacy of triumph, passion, and national pride. Designed with purpose and detail, the kits pay tribute to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's rich heritage and reflect the unmatched spirit of Al Hilal — the most successful football club in Asia and Saudi Arabia, with an incredible 70 trophies to its name. Drawing inspiration from Al Hilal's rich history and the Kingdom's diverse landscapes, each element of the kit reflects the club's enduring legacy and deep connection with its loyal fanbase, affectionately known as the Blue Wave. From subtle design cues to bold visual statements, the kits embody the values of pride, perseverance, and excellence that define Al Hilal. The home kit draws from the heart of the Najd region, inspired by traditional mud-brick houses, a nod to the club's humble beginnings in a small, overlooked part of Riyadh, rising to become a national icon and continental powerhouse. The away kit captures the poetic journey of the moon, symbolizing Al Hilal's ever-evolving path. This celestial theme not only reflects the club's name — Al Hilal, meaning The Crescent but also beautifully aligns with our brand's vision through the power of storytelling in design. This launch follows the tremendous success of the Kid Super X Al Hilal kit, which became one of the top-selling items in PUMA stores globally. The new kits continue to represent the spirit of Saudi Arabia on the world stage. 'As Asian leaders, we're proud to grow globally while staying true to our roots. Our partnership with Al Hilal FC allows us to tell authentic Saudi stories through design, championing sport and culture on the world stage,' – Juhan Kuhlo, General Manager of PUMA Middle East We are very proud to continue working with PUMA to create pieces that allow us to share our history and legacy on a global scale. Our recent tournament was a clear example where, beyond the sporting results, we were able to represent our country through jerseys that became an unprecedented success. We hope that this new collection will receive a warm welcome from our amazing fan base– Esteve Calzada, CEO at Al Hilal FC The 25/26 Al Hilal FC home and away kits will be available at PUMA stores, on at official Al Hilal stores, Blu Store, and select retail partners across the region.


Sharjah 24
12-07-2025
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Handball Team: A Hub of Excellence and Titles
This continental triumph adds to the team's impressive domestic record, bringing their total tally to 49 titles—an unmatched feat by any other club in the country. A Decade of Dominance on the National Stage Over the past decade, the team has maintained absolute dominance on the domestic scene, winning the lion's share of official tournaments, including the General League Championship, President's Cup, Vice President's Cup, UAE Cup, Federation Cup, UAE Super Cup, and the UAE-Bahrain Super Cup. Not only that, but the team has also proven to be a formidable contender in regional and continental competitions—Gulf, Arab, and Asian—instilling a winning culture that has made its name synonymous with success. An Integrated System of Professional Management, Technical Expertise, and Talent This success can be credited to an integrated system that starts with professional management and extends to experienced technical teams and carefully selected players. The club's handball journey began in the 1970s, laying a solid foundation through a specialised academy for youth development. This has produced a golden generation that carried the torch of achievements, contributing to a long streak of unbeaten seasons and frequent domestic trebles and quadruples. The Result of Long-Term Vision and Strategic Planning His Excellency Mohammed Obaid Al Hassan, Board Member of Sharjah Sports Club and Chairman of the Team Games Department, stated that these achievements are the result of long-term vision and strategic planning, with direct support from His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, along with the efforts of successive club administrations and continuous follow-up by the Sharjah Sports Council, led by His Excellency Issa Hilal Al Hazami. A Defining Moment for Homegrown Players Al Hassan described the team's recent Asian title—which secured their qualification to the upcoming World Championship—as a pivotal moment in the journey of players who grew up in the club from the grassroots level. He noted that since the 2016–2017 season, when the team ended a long title drought by winning the league, the club has managed to increase its championship tally from 16 to 49 titles in just nine years. A Holistic Sports System Focused on Youth Development Eng Suleiman Al Hajri, Board Member of Sharjah Sports Club and Chairman of the Individual Games Department, highlighted that handball has always been a central part of the club's vision since its inception. He explained that the various club boards have built a complete sporting system focused on grassroots development, talent nurturing, and age-group competitions, each administration leaving its mark through technical recruitment and providing an ideal training and development environment. This, he noted, has ensured the continuity of achievements. A Legacy Built on Strong Administrative, Technical and Teamwork Foundations Al Hajri added that Sharjah's excellence in handball is not a recent phenomenon, but rather a long-standing legacy based on solid administrative, technical, and collective foundations. This legacy makes the club a benchmark in how excellence is built and sustained over time. A Carefully Built Base Covering All Age Groups Jassim Mohammed, member of the Team Games Department and handball supervisor at the club, attributed the team's success to a broad base that includes teams across all age groups, supported by dedicated administrative and technical staff. He highlighted the contributions of figures like Mohammed Obaid Al Hassan—who progressed through the ranks as a player, administrator, and now official—as instrumental in embedding a culture of discipline and a winning spirit within the team. Spotting and Nurturing Talent from a Young Age Ali Al Marzouqi, manager of the first handball team, affirmed that the team's excellence stems from its ability to identify and attract talent from an early age, thanks to far-sighted coaches like the veteran Mohammed Mostafa. He pointed out that most of the current squad are products of this vision, which focuses on quality over quantity and provides a nurturing environment for talent to flourish and grow.