Injury-hit UAE prepare for India clash in friendly with Lebanon

The UAE national team face Lebanon in a friendly on Sunday night as they prepare for home and away matches against India in the Asian qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup. The game will be played at Khalifa Stadium in Al Ain after the UAE returned from a three-week training camp in Austria on Friday. The players had a day off with their families before gathering at Rotana Hotel in Al Ain to continue their preparation for the home first leg next Saturday. They travel to Delhi soon afterwards for the July 28 away leg, the aggregate winner progressing to the second round. "The camp was a huge success." team administrator Fahd Ali told Gulf News yesterday. "Despite the injuries that will keep some key players from taking part in the first round of the qualifiers we have confidence in the young generation." Injuries will keep out striker Esmail Mattar, goalkeeper Majid Nasser and midfielders Subait Khater and Omar Abdul Rahman. "All the players have shown a great sense of responsibility, they know exactly how important the two matches against India are." Ali added. The Lebanese team arrived on Friday and are staying at Danat Hotel in Al Ain. Meanwhile, India scraped a 1-1 draw with the Maldives in their latest friendly. Head coach Armando Colaco said: "The official matches are different from the friendly and we are confident that our players will do their best in the qualifiers." India face Qatar tonight in Doha before travelling to the UAE.