UAE Under-23 keeper Khalid Essa says it will be a huge honour to grace the Wembley turf at the 2012 Olympics and he can’t wait to go head to head with Great Britain’s David Beckham.
Tuesday’s draw for the men’s football competition at this summer’s Olympic left the UAE with a daunting group. The Emiratis will open their campaign against Uruguay at Old Trafford on July 26, before they face the hosts at the iconic Wembley Stadium on July 29 and Senegal on August 1.
Taking on Team GB is a match Al Jazira’s Essa cannot wait to star in, especially with the prospect of facing up to the free-kicks of former Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan star David Beckham.
Essa said: “It is a huge honour for every Emirati player to play at Wembley. We are the first UAE team to reach this honour and play at that stadium.
“Some people would consider it an honour to just be sit in the stands as a spectator at Wembley so imagine playing there. Such an honour.
“You know in the UAE Pro League, when I play against Asamoah Gyan or Ricardo Oliviera it’s already a great challenge between me and them, and I love that challenge. So imagine when I play against Beckham or any of those big players.
He added: “It’s great to have a huge challenge like this. I can learn from them, their professional mentality, see how they live as professional athletes from up close.”
But Essa insists the UAE will not just be there to make up the numbers and has instead set his ambitions high. “My feeling is that we will get past the group stage and go far, God willing,” he said Essa. “Our ambition as a team is to place among the top three and get one of the medals.
“Senegal, England and Uruguay are all well-respected, but the UAE are not a team to be discarded.”
Although all eyes though will be on Team GB, who will be looking to impress on home soil, Essa is also wary of their other two encounters with Oman-conquerors Senegal and Uruguay.
He added: “I watched Senegal on Monday against Oman, and they’re a good team to be honest. A tough team, especially that they’re physically strong.
“Uruguay, whether they have Forlan and Suarez with them or not, generally speaking any Latin American team is skilful and fast. So we’ll do our best to stop all those teams.”
Meanwhile, Essa acknowledges the UAE team must adapt to the fact the Games clash with the holy month of Ramadan. He said: “It’s true that we face a lot of difficulties in our matches and training when we are fasting, but hopefully God will help us give our all in these circumstances so we can do our country proud.
“Coach Mahdi is very knowledgeable and I’m sure he has the correct schedule for us during Ramadan and he will take care of every detail including how we eat.”
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