Jorge Luis Pinto takes UAE training session in Dubai - in pictures

Match against Uzbekistan will be the first official friendly under the guidance of Jorge Luis Pinto, the Colombian

The UAE football team train ahead of their international friendly against Uzbekistan in Dubai. All pictures courtesy UAE FA

Al Nasr's Argentine-born striker Sebastian Tagliabue.

UAE coaching staff give the players instructions.

UAE football team train ahead of their international friendly against Uzbekistan in Dubai.

Players take part in training.

UAE coaching staff give the players instructions.

Players take part in training.

A UAE national team official.

UAE football team train ahead of their international friendly against Uzbekistan in Dubai.

UAE coach Jorge Luis Pinto.

Players take part in training.

Players take part in training.

Players take part in training.

The UAE national team have been put through their paces ahead of an upcoming friendly against Uzbekistan.

The match in Dubai on Monday will be the first official friendly under the guidance of Jorge Luis Pinto, the Colombian who succeeded Ivan Jovanovic in June.

Among the players taking part was Sebastian Tagliabue, the Argentine-born Al Nasr striker hoping to win his first cap.

Pinto’s primary objective is to lead the UAE to the World Cup in Qatar in two years’ time. At present, the national team sit fourth in Group G in the second phase of qualification, five points off leaders Vietnam with four matches remaining, although they do have a game in hand.

The Asian Football Confederation postponed all men's qualifiers scheduled in October and November for the 2022 World Cup.

The AFC and world governing body Fifa said the delay is to protect the health and safety of all participants during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UAE will complete Round 2 with home matches against Thailand and Vietnam, on November 12 and 17.

Only the top team are guaranteed to progress, alongside the four best runners-up from the eight groups. The UAE have only once qualified for a World Cup, in 1990.