Coventry: The experience the UAE football team acquired during their debut at the Games will help them in their quest to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, coach Mahdi Ali believes.

Ali’s men brought the curtain down on their debut appearance at the Games with a gutsy 1-1 draw against Senegal at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry late on Wednesday.

After taking the lead midway through the first half through skipper Esmail Mattar, the UAE were held by the powerful Africans, who grabbed an equaliser four minutes into the second half via a Moussa Konate header.

Coach Ali said playing against a higher standard of opposition than the UAE are used to was hugely beneficial for his young team.

“We had the opportunity of playing three teams from three different continents, but playing against Senegal was a completely new experience,” said Ali.

“We don’t play at this level even at Gulf Cup level, so I am sure each of these players has learnt something valuable through this competition that they will be able to utilise and grow as better players,” he added.

“Now that we know where we stand, we will try our best to qualify for the next Olympic Games.”

Ali said he believes his side displayed fighting spirit and played entertaining football throughout the tournament, which began with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Uruguay, after which Team GB overcame them 3-1.

“We go on the field each time with a hunger to win, regardless of the consequences on the competition,” said Ali.

“Even if it is a training session or a friendly match, our players are always willing to give of their best and continue with their learning process. This has been the mentality that I have tried to foster and hopefully it has been evident during this tournament.

“We play for ourselves and each time we step on the field it is our intention to entertain the spectators with some good level of football. I am sure a lot of people here have seen this brand of football.”

The team was scheduled to depart from London’s Heathrow Airport at 2.30pm on Thursday, arriving in Dubai at 12.30am today.

The players will now return to their respective clubs and set about preparing for the new football season.

Ali said: “It has been a long time for all the boys. They have been away for the past two months, but at no time did they give up against any of the teams here. They gave of their best until the very end, and for that I thank each and every one of them.”