Dubai: Mahdi Ali, coach of the UAE’s national Olympic football team, announced his preliminary 24 man squad for London 2012 at the UAE FA headquarters in Al Khawaneej on Monday.
Among his selection were four senior players – over the age of 23 – three of whom, as per Olympic rules, can assist the juniors in their quest for medals. They were Al Wahda’s striker Esmail Matar, Al Jazira keeper Ali Khasaif, Al Jazira fullback Abdullah Moosa and Al Ahli winger Esmail Al Hammadi.
The final cut to 18 will be made nearer to the finals which take place in the UK from July 26 to August 11.
The UAE face Uruguay at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 26th, Great Britain at Wembley on July 29th and Senegal in Coventry on August 1. No captain has been announced as yet but the experienced Esmail Matar is widely tipped to take the armband.
