AL AIN // Australia will provide the final test for Srecko Katanec's UAE squad tonight before they fly to Qatar for the Asian Cup on Friday.
Katanec is expected to field his strongest line-up for the team's second friendly this week at the Khalifa bin Zayed stadium in Al Ain, after he experimented with some of his fringe players against Syria, a game in they won 2-0 three days ago at the same venue. "Australia will provide the real test for the players," said Fahad Ali, the assistant team manager.
"Against Australia, we are expecting a totally different kind of opposition, which we usually don't come across more frequently. They are physically stronger and bigger, and they will use the high ball and the long ball to good effect. We have to adapt to a different game."
Katanec named a 26-man squad for the two friendlies and will have to trim that down by three to 23 for Qatar.
Yousef Jaber,the Baniyas defender, admits the competition is high for a trip to Qatar.
"Me or any of my colleagues will not be disappointed if we are left out from the 23," he said. "The experience of being in the squad has helped me a lot to improve my own game and I will always be available for the national team, whenever my services are required."
And looking ahead of tonight's game, Jaber added: "It will be a great experience to play against the likes of Tim Cahill [the Everton midfielder] of Premier League fame. This Australian side has several players plying their trade around various clubs in Europe and Asia, and it's a game that I would definitely like to play, if selected."
The UAE's Asian Cup opener is against North Korea on January 11.