Tagliabue not in UAE squad for Spain

Dubai: Al Wahda’s Sebastian Tagliabue hasn’t been named in Alberto Zaccheroni’s 28-man squad for the UAE’s training camp in Spain from October 6-16, despite rumours the Argentine striker could be naturalised ahead of January’s Asian Cup hosting.

Veteran Al Wahda striker Esmail Matar has been called up instead.

The UAE will play friendlies in Barcelona against Honduras on October 11 and Venezuela on October 16, as they continue to prepare for the Asian Cup on home soil from January 5 to February 1.

Zaccheroni’s future was thrown into doubt last month after a 2-0 friendly defeat to Trinidad and Tobago.