Graham Ruthven

Egypt’s new generation could make them Africa’s best once again

Three successive AFCON title triumphs were followed by three successive failures to qualify for the tournament, in 2012, 2013 and 2015

Why an expanded World Cup is good for the Gulf but bad news for football

According to FIFA president Gianni Infantino the World Cup will be more “inclusive” now that it will feature 48-teams from 2026

What threat do China’s millions pose to the future of Gulf football?

Could China soon construct something of a glass ceiling above the Gulf game?

Supercoppa Italiana in Qatar a sign of things to come?

Might this be something of a jumping off point in the globalisation of the world’s most popular sport?

Plenty to look forward in 2017 for Gulf football fans

The race to make it to the 2018 World Cup and AFC Champions League promise lot of action

Saudi Arabia great Mohammad Noor hit with 4-year ban for doping

Noor is no Armstrong or Sharapova, but he is the highest profile footballer in the Arab world to have been banned from the sport for doping

Don’t be fooled, Barcelona’s Doha friendly will benefit only Barcelona

The idea that Barcelona are somehow helping the growth of the sport in the Arab world by playing this match is simply empty rhetoric

Omar Abdulrahman is the UAE’s greatest ever, but it’s time for the next move

He has long been linked with a move to Europe, attracting admiring glances from elite clubs for years

Rumors or not, Cosmin Olaroiu is the next UAE manager in waiting

This certainly isn’t the first time Olaroiu has been linked with the national team job

Al Ain must learn lessons from their defeat

Reinforcements must be sought, particularly in the number nine position where Douglas let his side down with a penalty miss that stunted the momentum

Al Ain enter second leg of AFC final with advantage

On the face of things Al Ain achieved exactly what they set out to from the first leg of their AFC Champions League final

Saudi Arabia shows why it can fly the Gulf flag at 2018 World Cup

An appearance by a Gulf side at the biggest international competition in the sport is long overdue

UAE vs Bahrain: Test run for crunch World Cup qualifier

Friendly fixture between UAE and Bahrain was an opportunity for Mahdi Ali to finalize things ahead of next week’s crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier

A look at his career: How Andy Murray became world number one

Murray has forged a career on being the chaser, forever looking upwards at some of the greatest men to ever play the sport.

Landmark moment awaits Al Ain, Omar Abdulrahman

Al Ain are hoping November will see them crowned the greatest in Asia

Is the Messi versus Ronaldo Ballon d’or era over?

Is this the first sign that Messi and Ronaldo’s glittering era of unprecedented success might finally be coming to an end?

Does Al Nasr’s Jovanovic deserve to be axed?

Jovanovic now finds himself under increasing pressure, with Al Nasr suffering an almighty dip in form

Football’s own boxing match: Guardiola vs Mourinho

Both Guardiola and Mourinho are enduring their own struggles at present, with City and United a long way short of where they were expected

Can Gaurdiola achieve Barcelona success at Manchester City?

Guardiola will take his new ManCity to Camp Nou on Wednesday to face Barca in the Champions League, with both clubs targeting the top spot in Group C

One year later: How Liverpool have fared under Jurgen Klopp

Klopp has very quickly made himself the spiritual figurehead of Liverpool, with the one-year mark since his arrival on Merseyside passing last week

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