Fouad rubbishes talk about brother Faisal

Dubai: Fouad Khalil, the former UAE striker and brother of Faisal Khalil, has rubbished speculation and rumours surrounding his younger sibling.

"All these things you are hearing are mere speculation and rumours. People just want to talk about this and make up an issue," Fouad told Gulf News as he watched the national squad train at the Dubai Police Officers' Club late on Wednesday.

"I'm aware of the rumours making the rounds in UAE sports circles. But none of these are true," Fouad insisted. "Faisal is proud to represent the UAE, but at the moment, he has nothing to do with Al Ahli," Fouad said.

It has been rumoured that Faisal has been asked to apologise and return to Al Ahli Club.

"If at all this is true, why should Faisal apologise? Has he done anything wrong in turning professional?"

Meanwhile, the UAE are gradually coping with injuries to some of their players as the team get ready for the second part of their training schedule, starting tomorrow. The UAE are scheduled to meet Oman in their first Asian Cup Group C qualifier on February 22.

Striker Saeed Al Kaas, with a strained abductor, did some light training on Wednesday.

"I just want to take necessary precautions so that I do not aggravate the injury," Kaas said.

Haider Alo Ali continued training separately in an attempt to get his strained groin back in place.

Salem Sa'ad of Al Shabab, who had been laid low with the flu, also came back to training on Wednesday. The team, however, will be missing the services of midfielder Salem Khamis, of Al Ahli, who is nursing an elbow injury.

The squad resumes training at Al Nasr Club at 7pm tomorrow, following a two-day break.

UAE-Oman
Tickets to be sold two hours before kick-off

Tickets for the first Asian Cup qualifiers between the UAE and Oman will be on sale at the Al Nasr Club about two hours before the 7pm kick-off.

Tickets have been priced at Dh10 and Dh20. The Dh10 tickets will be for the main stands, while the Dh20 tickets will grant spectators access to seats close to the VIP block.