The UAE Under-23s will take another step on the long road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Monday when they play an enlightening friendly against Guus Hiddink’s China, with little more than a month left until preliminary qualifiers begin.
Maciej Skorza’s starlets must build on last year’s promising bronze medal at the Asian Games when they battle Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Maldives from March 22-26 for spots at January 2020’s AFC U-23 Championship. Finish in the top three in next year’s continental tournament, or simply make the semi-finals if hosts Japan progress that far, and a return to the Games will be secured for the first time since Omar Abdulrahman et al shone at London 2012.
China’s youngsters will provide a tough examination at Rashid Stadium (17:15 kick-off). The Junior Whites lost 2-1 to them in the Asian Games’ group stage, plus they are now led by legendary ex-Real Madrid, South Korea and Chelsea head coach Hiddink.
Skorza will lean on the likes of Al Jazira defender Khalifa Al Hammadi and Al Wahda goalkeeper Mohammed Al Shamsi. Both were selected in January for the seniors’ run to the last-four on home soil at the Asian Cup.
Elsewhere, dynamic centre midfielder Majed Suroor has grown into a key player for unbeaten Arabian Gulf League leaders Sharjah.
