(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The UAE Olympic team (Under-23) wrapped up their preparations for the AFC Under-23 China 2018 Qualifiers this weekend, with victory over Tajikistan in a football friendly.
The UAE defeated Tajikistan 2-1 at the Tahnoun bin Mohamed Stadium in Al Qattara, Al Ain, late on Monday night. Shaheen Surour gave UAE the lead on 44 minutes with a powerful long ranger and substitute Ali Eid added cushion to that lead on 67 minutes. Sammiv Shahroum pulled one back for Tajikistan on 72 minutes, with a neat header.
Ahmed Al Hashemi, Mohammed Alakberi and Jassim Yaqoub had opportunities in the first half but couldn't make them count.
The friendly marked the end of their tune-up for the Qualifiers which begins this Saturday. The UAE, who are the hosts for Group D, are grouped with Nepal, Lebanon and Uzbekistan. They are scheduled to play these three teams over three rounds at the Tahnoun bin Mohamed Stadium.
The hosts take on Nepal in the opener on Saturday evening, while Uzbekistan meet Lebanon in the second match of the night.
After a rest day on Sunday, Nepal face Uzbekistan in the first match on Monday evening after which the UAE take on Lebanon. Tuesday is a rest day after which the UAE face off against Uzbekistan on Wednesday evening. Lebanon take on Nepal in the last match of Group D.
The UAE had four training camps including one in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They played four friendlies during the time, edging past Bahrain 3-2 before two stalemates - 1-1 and 2-2 against Saudi Arabia.
"We have full confidence in the Olympic team that they will top the group and qualify for the AFC Under-23 Championship next year," UAE Football Association President Marwan bin Ghalita said.
Meanwhile, coach Hassan Al Abdouli said that the friendlies were a good test for the squad.
"The friendlies gave the players some much needed experience ahead of the tests that we will face during the qualifiers," said Hassan Al Abdouli.
"We tried out different combinations in each and every friendly so that the bench strength is equally strong as the first XI. Also, with the team set to play in hot and humid conditions, we want to keep the players as fresh as possible," he added.
The 10 group winners and the five best runners-up will qualify for the tournament across four host cities in China from January 9 to 27, 2018.
If the UAE progress, it will be their third appearance in the competition. They had reached the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2016.
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