UAE football players answer country's call

It has been a hard and long-winding season for the UAE players domestically, but they have answered the country's call by reporting earlier than expected, for a training camp under new coach Edgardo Bauza.

After six players cut short their holiday to turn up for training at the Theyab Awana ground at the UAE Football Association headquarters in Al Khawaneej last week, the number has now swelled to 15, before the official training camp for the 30-man squad begins on Tuesday.

Ace UAE striker Ali Ahmed Mabkhout, who was voted the Best Emirati Player this year, defenders Mohamed Fawzi and Fares Juma, promising young midfielder Khalfan Mubarak, who won the Golden Boy Award at the Arabian Gulf League Awards, Al Wahda's Mohammed Al Akberi, Tariq Ahmed, Khalid Bawazir and Hamdan Al Kamali, Al Nasr's Mahmoud Khamis joined Ismail Matar, Tariq Ahmed, Salem Saleh, Hassan Ibrahim, Adel Al Hosani and Khalid Al Senani, for the training camp.

Eight Al Ahli players - goalkeeper Majed Naser, defenders Abdulaziz Haikal, Abdulaziz Sanqour and Walid Abbas, midfielders Khamis Esmail, Habib Fardan and Ismail Al Hammadi and striker Ahmed Khalil as well as six Al Ain players - goalkeeper Khalid Essa, defenders Ismail Ahmed, Mohanad Salem and Mohammed Ahmed, midfielders Ahmed Barman and Omar Abdulrahman - will join the squad on Wednesday, after their respective AFC Champions League commitments.

The Whites are preparing for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on June 13.

On the face of it, it was making up for lost time after the delay in appointing a new coach to succeed Mahdi Ali, but it was also a good opportunity for the players to meet their new coach and vice versa. It was also a golden chance for Bauza to have his first look at the players and identify their potential before the 30-man squad is trimmed down to 23, as per AFC rules.

Al Jazira defender Mohamed Fawzi said that the players didn't even think twice to cut short their holiday to report for training early. "Playing for the UAE team is a great honour for every Emirati player and the service of the homeland is a duty for everyone," Fawzi told the UAE FA's official website.

"It was a very simple decision to make for the players, to cut short our holiday and join the training camp before it officially starts," he added.

After a successful five years under Emirati coach Mahdi Ali, The Whites begin a new chapter with former Argentina coach Bauza. And Fawzi said that every professional player must be able to adapt to any coach.

"A professional player must adapt to any coach and respect his instructions and work according to it. The atmosphere within the squad is good and the morale of the players is high. Everyone is eager on achieving a positive result against Thailand next month," said Fawzi.

The 27-year-old also said that the Latin American style of play fits well with how the Emiratis play. "We play similar to the Latin American method as it depends on the skill of the player. Over time, we will certainly reach the required readiness and work to implement the vision and plan of the coach despite the short period. I'm sure we have the opportunity to go to the World Cup. My teammates are sure that the opportunity is still there and we just have to play and show everything we have and win the next three games," said the former Al Ain right back.

Meanwhile, Al Nasr midfielder Salem Saleh too echoed Fawzi by saying that fatigue takes a back seat when it comes to answering the call of the UAE team.

"The Thailand team could come up with a few surprises as they are playing in front of their home crowd. We have to prepare for this match in a good way and adapt quickly to the new coach and technical staff," said Saleh.

"When it is related to the UAE team, there is no place for fatigue and exhaustion. These are just minor things in front of the service of the homeland. We have to shoulder the responsibility and preserve the logo of the team. And to do that is an honour for all," he added.

Source: Khaleej Times