UAE Under-23s coach Ali Ebrahim is hoping to gauge the impact of his side’s German training camp as they take to the field in Regensburg.
Several Arabian Gulf League regulars, including Al Nasr’s Ahmed Shambieh, Al Ain’s Ahmed Barman and Al Jazira’s Salim Ali, will be in action as the Whites take on a local side in the Bavarian city.
Ebrahim’s side have been in Germany since June 13 as they continue their preparations for the Under-23 Gulf Cup of Nations in Doha from August 30-September 9.
The UAE have been grouped together with hosts Qatar and Kuwait for the regional competition, and their coach revealed he has been putting his squad through intense workouts while in northern Europe.
“I hope to collect all the required information about my squad to build my plans on solid foundations before the Gulf challenge,” said Ebrahim, who has had his players training twice a day.
“I have focused on the physical and tactical skills at the gym, in the swimming pool and on the pitch and I have received a good response from the players.
“Despite the tough training sessions, they were working hard and enthusiastically. The surrounding environments are also very helpful and hopefully the tour will achieve all its objectives.”
Following the friendly, the UAE will end their tour with a game against Spartak Moscow’s reserve side before returning home on Friday.
The players will have little time to relax on arriving back in the UAE, with the majority of Arabian Gulf League clubs back in pre-season training at the beginning of July.
Indeed, Al Wasl, whose 21-year-old forward Khalifa Lahej is with the Olympic team, returned on Sunday.
