UAE U 23 edge past Yemen eye ticket to Rio
(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A decision on an alternative venue and schedule for Group B will be announced in due course.
Fujairah — The UAE U-23 national team made it to the finals of 2016 AFC Championship following their 1-0 victory over Yemen here on Wednesday.
Saif Rashid fired home the all-important goal of the closely contested clash four minutes after the restart following a goalless first half. Rashid was later announced the man-of-the-match.
Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016 with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.
The final group winner and the complete line up of best second-place finishers will only be confirmed after the conclusion of Group B of the qualifiers which features Jordan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan as well as hosts Pakistan.
Group B was scheduled to take place in Lahore from March 23 to 31 but has been postponed due to security concerns following the recent troubles in the city.
A decision on an alternative venue and schedule for Group B will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile Yousuf Yaqoob Al Serkal president of the UAEFA and the FA board members congratulated President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the emirates and Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Security Adviser and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Honorary President of the UAEFA on the qualification of the Olympic national team for the 1016 AFC U-23 Championship.
“I would like to thank the members of the technical and administrative staffs and the players for all what they have done for the nation and the country’s football” said Al Serkal who met with the players after the match.
Al Serkal promised the players to be remunerated for the great achievement and the hard work and told them that the next target is the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“The heat and humidity were very high which had the adverse impact on the performance of the players in the first half but fortunately they were able to bounce back and show the best of them after the break.
“We will continue to support the Olympic national team and provide all facilities and requirements to ensure a successful campaign during the AFC U-23 Championship finals to make it a second in a row after the 2012 London Games” he said.
The UAE U-23 team after their victory over Yemen in Fujairah. — Supplied photo
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