Dubai: German coach Joachim Loew hopes to iron out the creases when an underpar Germany takes on the UAE in an international friendly tonight.
The match will kick off at 10pm today at Al Nasr Club's Maktoum Stadium.
Germany have made a stopover for this friendly following their 1-1 draw against China in Shanghai last Friday.
"If China was tough then the UAE is going to be more even more difficult considering the heat and humidity here," stated Loew.
Loew's under-strength side could manage just a draw against China, a result that kept him pondering and wondering how he'll get this team to deliver something better tonight.
"I am not satisfied with out performance against China. We had problems all over, in the defence, in the midfield and there was lack of support upfront. There is definitely more room for improvement in all quarters," Loew said.
The coach even felt that the UAE is a much better team than China.
"I have seen a video summary of the UAE and I can see the French influence in the team. They have good ball handling skills and the French touch is visible," Loew said.
"We need to be on the lookout."
The Germans played the classic 4-5-1 formation against China, but this may change to the more attacking 4-4-2 against the UAE.
"I have not yet decided who is going to play in which position," said the German coach.
Playing against the second best team in the world, the UAE sees this match as a huge learning experience for them as they prepare to face South Korea and Iran in their last two qualifiers for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
"We can't say we don't want to win this match," said UAE central defender Mohammad Qasim.
"But we also know that it will be difficult. Germany has always been a great side in international football and for us, this match will be a huge benefit," added the Al Ahli player.
Dominique Bathenay, the UAE national team coach felt his boys will play without any pressure.
"We have a fine blend between youth and seniors in our side. So I expect the juniors to learn from the seasoned players and from playing against a quality team like Germany," Bathenay said.
Though out of contention as one of the representatives from Asia, the UAE play South Korea at the same venue on June 6 and then travel to Tehran for their final qualifier against Iran on June 10.
Tonight's match will kick-off at 10 pm at the Al Nasr Club's Maktoum Stadium.
Tickets have been priced at Dh50, 75, 150 and 300 and will be available Tuesday at the venue and at Virgin Mega Stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Tickets can also be purchased online at www.timeouttickets.com and www.ticketingboxoffice.com
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