A ticket to the London Olympics, by recording at least a draw over Uzbekistan Wednesday night under bitterly cold conditions, would be the greatest achievement in UAE football's history since reaching the finals of Italia 90, according to UAEFA chairman Yousuf Al Sarkal.
The UAE's Under-23 team faces the hosts at the JAR Stadium here Wednesday from 5pm UAE time (6pm in Tashkent) in the final game of Group B in the men's third round of the Olympic Asian qualifiers.
Draw or more would make UAE Olympic history
A draw or more would carry the UAE straight through to the Olympics for the first time in the nation's history, but a loss away to much-fancied Uzbekistan would see the UAE enter a three-way group play-off with as yet unconfirmed fellow round three Asian group phase runners-up.
The winner of this round robin would then meet the pre-decided African play-off winners Senegal for a conclusive decider in Coventry, England on April 23. But that's a long-winded route the UAE don't want to take, according to Al Sarkal who is hoping the team can wrap up proceedings in the Uzbek capital once and for all.
Al Sarkal told Gulf News in Tashkent: "It's very important we qualify directly for the Olympics via a result [win or draw] in Tashkent, now that we have this opportunity to do so.
Important game
"Automatic qualification would make it easier on us going forward. It would free our players up for domestic club competition and give them more time to prepare for the Olympic Games. If not, the runners-up go to a fourth round and then a play-off which will make it difficult. So it's a very important game — everything is riding on this one match."
Al Sarkal, who is also Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), added: "It's important this UAE team makes us as happy as when we qualified to the finals of the World Cup for the first time back in 1990. The London Olympics is as important an event in our history and we also want to be there at an Olympic Games for the first time ever."
Al Sarkal said of this blossoming UAE side, which has previously won the 2006 U17 Gulf Cup, the 2008 U19 Asian Cup, the 2010 U23 Gulf Cup, and silver at the 2010 Asian Games, whilst also reaching the quarters of the 2009 U20 World Cup: "It's fair to call this UAE team the golden generation.
"They've participated in many international tournaments and have accrued valuable experience over the years. With this experience, I myself have high hopes this UAE team can do something special against Uzbekistan.
