Abu Dhabi: Mahdi Ali, the UAE national football team coach, has named an experimental squad for next month’s King’s Cup in Thailand after choosing to rest all his established names in favour of a host of Olympic team members after an arduous season.
The 26-strong squad features exciting youngsters such as the 23-year-old Emirates striker Walid Amber, who has scored four times in 21 appearances this season.
The likes of Bani Yas midfielder Fawaz Awana, Al Shabab full-back Manei Mohammad and Al Nasr defender Masoud Sulaiman could make their international debuts in the four-team tournament.
Ali’s men will take on hosts Thailand, Jordan and Syria in Bangkok from June 3 to 5.
For the UAE, the competition will offer ideal preparation for the third and final qualification phase for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which begins in September. They and Thailand are in Group B along with Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Thailand coach Kiatisak Senamuang said he had no problem facing the UAE ahead of the qualifiers.
“Even though UAE is in the same group as us, we don’t mind. Both of us will gain benefit from this cup,” he said.
The UAE squad will undergo a training camp in Dubai from May 16. Players from Al Ain, Al Nasr, Al Wasl, Al Jazira, Al Sharjah, Bani Yas and the Emirates will link up with the UAE party after their AFC Champions League and President’s Cup commitments next week.