Bert van Marwijk has named his squad for the UAE’s penultimate training camp ahead of the resumption of World Cup qualification in June.
The national team meet in Dubai on Tuesday for a week-long get-together, which culminates on March 29 with the friendly against India at Al Wasl’s Zabeel Stadium.
The camp represents the UAE's last before they convene in May as they build preparations towards the rescheduled World Cup qualifiers. The Football Association's bid earlier this month to host all remaining Group G matches in Dubai proved successful, with the outstanding eight fixtures taking place from June 3-15. Currently fourth in the standings, the UAE resume their campaign against Malaysia.
On Monday, Van Marwijk confirmed the 28-strong group for his latest camp, highlighted by the inclusion of Al Ain midfielder Yahia Nader and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai winger Yahya Al Ghassani. Meanwhile, Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa and Mohammed Al Attas, the versatile Al Jazira youngster, both return. Wasl forward Ali Saleh misses out.
Ahmed Khalil and Omar Abdulrahman, the 2015 and 2016 Asian player of the year respectively, constitute other notable absentees once more. Neither player – both currently ply their trade at Shabab Al Ahli – has featured through injury since Van Marwijk reprised his role as UAE manager in December.
The Dutchman, who managed the national team for nine months from March 2019 before being dismissed, has held two camps since succeeding Jorge Luis Pinto late last year, one in January and the second last month.
Although dates for the final get-together in May have not yet been confirmed, it is understood the national team will meet following the President’s Cup final, which has been mooted for May 16. Last month, the UAE Pro League announced the 2020/21 Arabian Gulf League will conclude earlier – on May 10 – to accommodate the national team.
Although the UAE go into the remaining second-round qualifiers fourth in their five-team group, they sit five points off leaders Vietnam with a game in hand over each of their rivals. After Malaysia on June 3, they face Thailand four days later and Indonesia on June 11, before rounding off the campaign against Vietnam.
The eight group winners progress to the final stage of qualification, together with the four best runners-up. The UAE have only once previously qualified for a World Cup, in 1990.
