Last May, Al Mazmi announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 after coming in contact with someone who had the virus. The up-and-coming coach had to self-isolate for more than two weeks until he recovered and resumed normal life.

After his self-isolation was over, FIFA.com chatted with Al Mazmi about this difficult experience and how he overcame the virus. He also spoke about his aspirations to take the UAE to the Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia next year.

Shomurodov, 25, joins the club from Russian Premier League outfit FC Rostov on a deal which will last until June 30, 2024.

Already foreshadowed by Rostov - who officially bid the striker farewell late last week, - Shomurodov’s arrival was confirmed in a brief statement issued by Genoa, who announced they had “definitively acquired” the rights to the player.

Iran will play the friendly matches against Uzbekistan and Mali as part of their preparations for the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Team Melli will play Uzbekistan on Thursday in Tashkent and Mali in Antalya, Turkey five days later.

The match, to be played in Antalya, Turkey, will see a strong Qatar squad with Sanchez having named most of players who have featured for him in recent times.

Doha: Persepolis' Shojae Khalilzadeh has been voted by the fans as the 2020 AFC Champions League Semi-final (WEST) Toyota Player of the Week.

Going into the semi-final clash at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium without their star striker Isa Al Kasir who was earlier suspended for six months for violating Article 58.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, Persepolis came from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw before winning 5-3 on penalties.

Current top scorer Abderrazak Hamdallah broke the deadlock on 36 minutes from the spot after Bashar Resan had conceded a penalty, before the Iraqi made amends just six minutes later by assisting teammate Mehdi Abdi Qara’s headed equaliser to put the Iran Pro League champions back in the reckoning.