Key events
Reader Kieran gets in touch:
I’m a fan of neither of these clubs. I am an Arsenal fan watching from the UK. In answer to your questions:
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(Why are you watching?) Boredom.
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(How are you staying awake?) I am running off nothing except the lights in my room and sheer dedication to the hatewatch.
The thought of what else I could be doing with my life has crossed my mind. But hey, it’s only Monday, right?
I must admit, the prospect of other teams’ fans watching this game never crossed my mind. The dedication required for this hatewatch could power a city (or a City?). Regardless, props to Kieran, whose Monday is now sure to be amazing.
He later turned the tables:
My question is, how are you staying awake?
A good question, and the answer is: somewhat easily! I’m based in New York, so this game is kicking off at a nice and comfortable (if still a little weirdly late) 9pm.
When it comes time for player intros, remember that we’ll be seeing arguably Fifa’s strangest new wrinkle added for this tournament: Individual “NBA-style” player intros.
The great Jonathan Wilson takes stock, writing that the individual walk-ons at Club World Cup underline Fifa’s failure to understand that football is a team sport.
How are you watching?
Today’s match kicks off at 2am UK time, and 5am in the UAE.
If you’re a fan of either of these teams and watching from their home locales, I gotta know:
1) Why?
2) How are you staying up / waking up?
Al Ain’s XI
Goalkeeper: Khalid Eisa
Defenders: Facundo Zabala, Amadou Niang, Ramy Rabia, Adis Jašić
Midfielders: Abdoul Traore, Yahia Nader, Yong-woo Park
Forwards: Mohammed Al Baloushi, Nassim Chadli, Soufiane Rahimi
Manchester City’s XI
As promised, Pep Guardiola has named a much-changed starting group for tonight’s game against Al Ain.
Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega Moreno
Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Abdukodir Khusanov, Joško Gvardiol, Rayan Aït-Nouri
Midfielders: Nico, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva
Wingers: Matheus Nunes, Claudio Echeverri
Striker: Erling Haaland
John Stones: ‘I want to stay’
Manchester City’s defensive stalwart has moved to shut down talk of a move away.
‘10 new players’ incoming
Pep Guardiola said he wouldn’t be shy to ring the changes for Man City ahead of their second game of the Club World Cup, telling reporters he’ll bring in an even 10 new players to the team after the tournament-opening 2-0 win over Wydad:
More from Jamie Jackson:
Preamble
Alex will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s what else has gone on today:
