AC MILAN training camp, Dubai 2009

AC Milan Training camp, Dubai 2009
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Earlier this month AC Milan arrives in Dubai from Italy for their winter training camp sponsored by Emirates-Airlines.

The camp,which was part of the second half preparation of the 2008-2009 European season generated a lot of public and media attention...mainly because of a small time footballer by the name of David Beckham who just recently moved to the club, joining the likes of Kaka, Ronaldinho and Maldini.

A week long training was held daily at Al-Nasr Sports Club, and as a huge Rossoneri tifosi it is only right for me to checkout them out. My good friend Jamel was there too.


Training02Paolo and Emerson were annoyed with Coach Ancellotti anticsMatch practice
Pirlo in aczioneStoked facesTraining03

after 2 hours of training/match practice the mob of fan waited patiently for players to come out for some autograph signing.
i manage to get paolo's...ronaldinho was very accommodating too, and he got the loudest cheer from the crowd. Becks? damn...he wanted to smooch my face...its a narrow escape though


Dida signingThe crowd leave the playersAlexandro pato looking for the best looking arab girl


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Part of the training agenda was a friendly match against German Bundesliga side, Hamburg SV dubbed 'Dubai Football Challenge' , which was held at the Emirates' The Sevens Stadium on January 6.

Went to enjoy the game along with Joker, Sufian, Kamil and Munyra.  But damn...we were caught in a massive traffic jam leading up to the stadium and arrived there quite late...the match has gone almost halfway thru

AC Milan vs Hamburg SV, The Sevens Stadium
Faridz at the entranceJoker, sofian, jimLoveble couple kamil & munyra
Joker at san siroFlamengo fans mistaken teamKamil at the san siroSofian at the san siroPrize giving ceremonyNote the flamengo fans at the back

the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, and Milan prevailed 4-3 on penalties (matchnews here)
There was a funny scene after the match though, as Joker's car was stucked in the sand...fortunately a policeman manage to bail us out

...I had to be a part-time police traffic while the vehicle was towed...haha


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flashback at the Al-Nasr Club training ground a few days earlier:
It's not everyday that you could get a photo together with Joker...apparently some football stars wouldn't miss this golden chance

note- a slice of Joker's charm: a few days after this pic was snapped, Pato scored two goals in Milan 2-2 draw with AS Roma in an Italian Serie A match at Stadio Olympico, Rome (highlight here)