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The National
6 days ago
- Sport
- The National
From war-torn Yugoslavia to belated UAE debut, Sasa Ivkovic is proud to represent ‘country I love'
At the end of a week scarred by controversy over the value of wearing the UAE shirt, a player born during war in Yugoslavia showed just what it means to represent the national team. Sasa Ivkovic made his debut for the UAE in their final match in round three of Asia's World Cup qualifying process, in Kyrgyzstan last Tuesday. The Al Wahda centre-back was a commanding presence at the heart of the UAE backline. He did not deserve to leave Bishkek with anything less than a win, but the national team had to make do with a 1-1 draw because of a last-second equaliser. Despite the frustrating end, Ivkovic was proud of his night's work. That much was clear by the fact that, as he headed to the team bus, he was holding a blue plastic bag with two treasured possessions inside. They were the white shirts of the national team with No 2 and 'Ivkovic' written on the back. There was no chance was he swapping them with anyone. 'I am protecting my shirt as it's my first game; these are for me and my family,' Ivkovic said, as he gripped tight hold of the bag. It was the sort of feelgood ending that a tempestuous week really needed. The start of it had been headlined by the banning of Khalid Al Dhanhani and Sultan Adil due to misconduct during the national team's training camp. That issue led the new coach, Cosmin Olaroiu, to point out that indiscipline of any kind while representing the country at football would not be tolerated. 'This shirt that we wear is more than ourselves,' Olaroiu had said. 'We are carrying the responsibility for a million people.' It is a responsibility that Ivkovic is grateful to be asked to bear. 'It feels great,' he said. 'I am really happy because that was my first game for the UAE, the country that I love. 'At the same time, the feelings are a little mixed because they scored in the last second. That was unfortunate because we almost had the win in our hands. 'But I am proud of my team because we gave 100 per cent. There are some things to improve, but this is a new group. There are a lot of players missing, and I think we will grow. At the next gathering, we will be even better.' Ivkovic's continued involvement – perhaps even as a first-choice starter – seems assured after his outstanding display in Bishkek. His manager termed it 'fantastic,' and was impressed by the solid partnership he had formed with fellow Wahda centre back Lucas Pimenta. 'For his first game, I expected him to be more emotional, but he performed fantastically,' Olaroiu said. 'He and Pimenta, their performances were top.' Ivkovic said the fact he did not outwardly show nerves might be due to his age. His first crack at international football is coming after a lengthy club career which started out in Serbia, before taking in a spell with Maribor in Slovenia. He had five seasons with Baniyas from 2019, then helped Wahda to AFC Champions League qualification after joining them last season. Although he represented Serbia in age-group football, he officially switched allegiance to the UAE in February. 'I am 32, so I have some experience of these kinds of matches, but of course there is emotion when you play your first game,' Ivkovic said. 'This wasn't a friendly game. It was an important game, so there was emotion, but I tried to stay concentrated and focused. I'd have been even more happy if we could keep [the score to] zero, but I am looking forward to the next matches.' Representing the UAE in senior international football is a long way from his tough start to life. Ivkovic was born to Serbian parents in Vukovar, a city in what is now Croatia, during the Yugoslav War. 'I was born in a really difficult moment,' Ivkovic said. 'My family was born and lived in what is now regarded as Croatian territory after the war. 'So many bad things happened in the war. I was born in 1993, and after that we moved to Serbia. It was not an easy period, and I am always thankful to my parents for the energy they have given me. 'I was born and raised at a difficult time, but we managed to succeed, and make [ourselves] good people, I guess.' The family followed a wave of refugees who had been forced from their homes by the conflict, and resettled in a town near Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia. That is where Ivkovic spent his formative years in football before, aged 17, he moved to the capital to join one of the country's footballing giants, Partizan Belgrade. It was there that he pursued his ambition of going pro, and following in the footsteps of his hero, the long-time Partizan captain, Sasa Ilic. 'He is a legend, not only a great player having captained Partizan for so many years, but also a legend as a human being,' Ivkovic said. 'Everybody, when we were kids, would look up to him. He was the one guy we all wanted to be.' Ivkovic says he is thankful he has little memory of the conflict himself, and is glad participation in football has taught him how to respect others. 'As a Serbian there, my parents decided to move to what is now Serbian territory, as it would be easier for us,' he said. 'It was 30 years ago, and everything is good. I hope for peace everywhere, that is most important. It was a very difficult time for our country, but the new generation, we try to look ahead positively, and have no bad blood between us. 'Especially in sport. As sportspeople, we always have to strive to achieve this: to have respect for one another.'
The National
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Richarlison's step-brother Alvaro de Oliveira thrilled after race across the world leads to debut for UAE
When Cosmin Olaroiu was getting ready to dial Alvaro de Oliveira's number, a call-up to international football literally could not have been further from the player's mind. The domestic football season had long since been wrapped up, and the Al Bataeh striker was already back in the land of his birth. He was settling into some down time in Brazil, and getting ready to cheer on his step-brother, Richarlison, playing for the Selecao. Then the plans were dramatically altered. He received the summons back to the UAE, to join the campaign that all of the country hopes will eventually lead to World Cup qualification. And so started the round-the-world journey which ended with him debuting as a second-half substitute in the small Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, 13,500kms away from his home town. His involvements were few, as the UAE were frustratingly held to a 1-1 draw when the home side struck with the last kick of round three of Asia's World Cup qualifiers in Bishkek. Despite the disappointing end, and the exhausting trip, the 24-year-old striker was thrilled that he was now able to call himself an international footballer. 'It is an amazing experience, having my first time coming into the national team,' Alvaro said. 'I feel very happy about that because I have been in the UAE now for six years, and you work for it. Thanks to God for this opportunity. 'I was in Brazil already with my family when I received the call. It was an amazing feeling when the coach called me to come here, and I enjoyed the moment. Let's see what happens in the next games. 'This game was very unlucky because we conceded a goal in the last second, but Alhamdulillah, everything is coming together for us, and we are focused on the next round.' It is amazing how fate works. Alvaro might still have been enjoying his holiday, gloriously oblivious to what was happening back in the UAE, had circumstances been different. Olaroiu, the coach, had been troubled by a lack of physicality up front in the 0-0 draw with Uzbekistan on Thursday which cost the UAE automatic qualification for the World Cup. That is a problem which might have been solved by Sultan Adil. But then the young Shabab Al Ahli striker reportedly went walkabout from camp, incurred the wrath of the management, and was summarily thrown out of the squad, fined, and banned from domestic football. An SOS was sent out for a bustling striker of power and strength – and it went all the way to Brazil, where it was received by a thrilled public. The most high-profile well-wisher was his step-brother. Alvaro's mother is married to the father of Richarlison, the Tottenham Hotspur and Brazil striker. When he was on his way to national duty of his own, for Brazil against Paraguay in South American qualifying, Richarlison took time out to post a good luck video message. 'Hey there, Alvaro,' Richarlison said. 'I'm here to wish you all the luck in the world and congratulate you on your call up. We're with you, Nova Venecia is celebrating for you.' While Richarlison has carved out a career in the Premier League with Watford, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as 50 appearances for Brazil, Alvaro has taken a different route in the game. He started out at the same club in Belo Horizonte as his elder sibling, América Mineiro. But while Richarlison went on from there to Rio giants Fluminense, Alvaro somehow found himself bound for Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai when he was just 18. He did not play a first-team game for them, before he moved on to Dibba Al Fujairah, and then Al Bataeh, where he scored four goals last season. 'We are step-brothers and we have always been together since we were very young,' Alvaro said of his relationship with Richarlison. 'He is a very good guy, and I also wish him all the very best for his games, as well. When we were young, we played together in school, but he was one age-group above me. 'I always looked up to him as he is a brilliant player, and it was always a good experience to be together with him. I wish for him all the best.'
Dubai Eye
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
UAE held by Kyrgyzstan in World Cup qualifier
Kyrgyzstan's never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp goal to hold the UAE to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A clash on Tuesday. The late salvo at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek saw Kyrgyzstan end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 points. The result qualifies the UAE for the AFC play-offs in October that lead to the World Cup. With the UAE's progress to the playoffs and Kyrgyzstan's elimination already decided going into the match, the game saw a cagey start before the visitors stole into the lead at the half hour mark. The UAE's goal was scored by Harib Abdullah, while Kai Merk scored for Kyrgyzstan in the 90+5 minute. In another match within the same group, Uzbekistan closed their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Qatar. Timur Kapadze's men, who have already booked their spot in their first FIFA World Cup, finished with 21 points from 10 matches. Qatar finished fourth in Group A with 13 points, also qualifying for the AFC play-offs.
Khaleej Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
UAE drop points as they brace for fourth round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers
The UAE ended their third round campaign in the Asian World Cup qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Kyrgyzstan at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek on Tuesday. It seemed the UAE would their campaign on a high, but Kyrgyzstan never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp equaliser. Kyrgyzstan late salvo saw them end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 points. With UAE's progress to the fourth round and Kyrgyzstan's elimination already decided going into the match, the game saw a cagey start before the visitors stole into the lead at the half hour mark. Valerii Kichin was dispossessed by Luanzinho at the halfway line, with the UAE midfielder driving forward before laying the ball off for Harib Abdalla to strike home past the advancing Erzhan Tokotaev. Kyrgyzstan emerged after the interval a different side as they looked to put more pressure on the UAE defence. Ermek Kenzhenbaev's attempt from distance took multiple deflections and was easily claimed by Al Hosani before Joel Kojo set up Kimi Merk inside the box, only for the latter to crash his shot against a UAE defender. With 10 minutes of regulation time remaining, Kojo had a close range header caught by Al Hosani but Kyrgyz Republic fought until the very end, eventually finding the equaliser through Kai Merk in stoppage time. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan ended their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Qatar on Tuesday. Timur Kapadze's men, who have already booked their spot in their first Fifa World Cup Finals, finished with 21 points from 10 matches. Qatar will have to navigate the fourth round, where two additional places at next year's global showpiece are up for grabs. The West Asians finished fourth in Group A with 13 points. A slow first 20 minutes was highlighted by a half-hearted try by Qatar's Amro Syrag, a looping header by Uzbekistan's Husniddin Aliqulov and a run down the middle from his captain Eldor Shomurodov, who outran three defenders only to be dispossessed. The game burst into life in the 28th minute when Azizbek Turgunboev evaded two tackles down the right and sent a screamer that rocked the underside of the bar and gave keeper Salah Zakaria no chance at all. Zakaria and the Qatari defence were kept on their toes in the following minutes by the twin strikeforce of Shomurodov and Jaloliddin Masharipov, who combined to make three attempts at goal. The custodian later kept his side in the match when he pulled off a fine save on the stroke of half time from Shomurodov down the right and then held on to a close-range effort by Abbosbek Fayzullaev five minutes into time added on. The hosts started the second half with a fierce strike from Masharipov,, who sprinted down the left and curled his shot wide past the right post. Qatar were constantly kept on the backfoot, with Zakaria making yet another crucial save when he shielded Khojiakbar Alijonov's shot from the edge of the six-yard box in the 63rd minute. Shomurodov scored their second in the 86th minute when he latched on to a long pass from Jamshid Iskanderov, controlled the ball with his right foot and unleashed a shot with his left that flew past an outstretched Zakaria. Uzbekistan sealed the match in the second minute of stoppage time when Igor Sergeev, who had come on a minute earlier in place of Shomurodov, scored with a close range header. (With inputs from AFC)
Al Etihad
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
AFC Asian Qualifiers: UAE 1-1 Kyrgyzstan
10 June 2025 21:52 BISHKEK (WAM)Kyrgyz Republic's never-say-die attitude saw them grab a last-gasp goal to hold United Arab Emirates to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A tie on Republic's late salvo at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium saw them end their campaign on eight points while Cosmin Olaroiu continues to wait for his first win as UAE head coach with his side finishing on 15 result qualifies the UAE for the AFC play-offs that lead to the World Cup, which will be held next UAE's goal was scored by Harib Abdullah in the 30th minute, while Kai Merk scored for the Kyrgyzstan national team in the 90+5 another match within the same group, the Uzbekistan national team defeated the Qatar national team 3-0 in this result, the Uzbekistan national team raised its points tally to 21 points, and the Qatar national team remained in fourth place with 13 points, also qualifying for the AFC play-offs.
