UAE coach Bauza's first game is against minnows Laos

It is not the most ideal of tests, but new coach Edgardo Bauza will get his first opportunity to see his wards over the course of a game when the UAE football team take on lowly-ranked Laos on Wednesday.

The UAE meet the Southeast Asian minnows in an international friendly at the Shah Alam Stadium in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, their base for close to a week now, and it represents former Argentina coach Bauza's first game in charge of 'The Whites.'

It is a mis-match, so to speak, with the UAE ranked 75th in the FIFA rankings, 97 places above Laos, who are ranked 172nd. But then, in the context of things, it provides valuable game time to Bauza's men, who have been undergoing rigorous training over the past week.

The UAE were originally scheduled to take on Lebanon in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, but that game was cancelled and Laos were roped in for the fixture.

The friendly also represents the UAE's only game before their crucial World Cup qualifier against Thailand next week. 'The Whites' are set to take on Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on June 13.

The UAE are currently fourth in Group B with nine points from seven matches. Japan and Saudi Arabia are on 16 points each, while Australia have 13 points. After the Thailand game, the UAE have two more fixtures remaining - against Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Meanwhile, UAE defender Fares Juma said that the current stage called for the team to stand as one and focus on the game against Thailand. He also said that the team were taking it step by step and not thinking too far ahead.

"It is a very important and crucial stage for us and we have to show solidarity and try and overcome this stage and put our campaign back on track," Juma told the UAE Football Association's official website.

"The win and three points are all that we are focused on, at the moment. We are not looking too far ahead and are not looking at the complexities of calculation regarding qualifying from the group. What is important is to win the next game against Thailand and then focus on our remaining two games against Saudi Arabia and Iraq," the Al Jazira centre back added.

Juma said that the team were confident and optimistic of getting the job done. "There is a great level of confidence within the team and there is also optimism that we can provide the level worthy of our reputation. There is a sense of responsibility to do well and the players are feeling very, very positive. We will fight till the very end," said the former Al Ain defender.

Juma also recalled the UAE's past achievements which brought joy to the fans and will look to repeat those previous showings.

"We were able to delight our fans before and we will look to do that again. We still have the opportunity to qualify and we will not relinquish it easily or give up. Football has taught us to fight till the end and we will do that. We have waited for long to qualify for the World Cup and we will make sure that the dream comes true," he said.

Juma also urged the fans to back the team in the remaining three games.

"The fans have always been on our side and have never let us down. They are the No.1 player in all our matches and I hope that they continue to support us in this journey," said Juma.

The squad will train in Kuala Lumpur until June 8 before leaving for Bangkok for their final phase of preparations

Source: Khaleej Times