Abu Dhabi Diary: Day Five | OneFootball

Heroes return and the players put their basketball skills to the test on day five of our warm weather training camp in Abu Dhabi.

Gareth Taylor’s side are coming towards the end of our week in the United Arab Emirates, as our FA Cup clash with Ipswich draws nearer.

Training was at a typically high intensity in preparation for that clash, but with plenty of smiles on show as well.

Khiara Keating and Ayaka Yamashita took part in some reflex games towards the start of the session, with our stoppers calling over Club photographer Declan Lloyd to get some action shots during the drills. He certainly didn’t disappoint with the results!

Meanwhile, our outfield players also took on some fun challenges of their own, partnering up and racing to play passes to each other with different parts of their body.

A possession-based exercise followed, with the attacking team having to make five passes before a first-time shot against a defensive three.

The tight space of the pitch made every touch and movement key, with Keating making a phenomenal point-blank save to deny Lily Murphy a certain goal from a volley.

WATCH: Training: A familiar face arrives in Abu Dhabi

There was nothing Yamashita could do about a vicious Vivianne Miedema effort a bit later in the practice though, as the Dutch international rifled an effort into the top corner.

Watching on from the sidelines was Club legend and former captain Steph Houghton, who was in Abu Dhabi for the second half of the trip.

Her former team-mates were, of course, delighted to see her, sharing plenty of big hugs and chats after the session had ended.

A busy day would continue with the second commercial window of the trip but, before then, Charlotte O’Neill, Laia Aleixandri and Houghton travelled over to a special Women of Etihad event.

The trio shared their experiences as female leaders in football, the challenges that they’ve faced on their journey and the advice they’d give to any aspiring young women on the early steps of their own careers.

It was an inspiring discussion, and one that ended with rapturous applause, photography and a deeper appreciation for three incredible women who continue to have a key influence on City.

Finally, it was on to the last commercial window in Abu Dhabi, with most of those involved over at Emirates Palace.

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However, what perhaps made the biggest impact was our social media team’s mini basketball challenge, which was tackled by many of the players in the team hotel.

After numerous failed attempts, close calls and laughs, Chloe Kelly, Vivianne Miedema and Mary Fowler were all successful.

A face merger challenge also brought some interesting results, and plenty of laughs from our players!