Esmail Mattar delighted to get a shot at Olympics

Dubai: Al Wahda striker Esmail Mattar is odds on to captain the UAE at the London 2012 Olympics this summer after an official call-up to Mahdi Ali's preliminary 24-man squad, which was announced yesterday at the UAE FA's Al Khawaneej headquarters.

The 29-year-old playmaker, who won the Golden Ball at the 2003 Fifa World Youth Championships and topscored in the UAE's Gulf Cup win in 2007 with five goals, slots in alongside three other senior players over the age of 23 — Ali Khasaif, Abdullah Mousa and Esmail Al Hammadi.

As per Olympic rules, each final selection of 18 can have only three players over the regulation age of 23, and while the UAE can rely on the experience of Mattar, Group A opponents Great Britain, Uruguay and Senegal are thought to be considering the likes of David Beckham, Diego Forlan and Demba Ba, respectively.

Ali will make his final selection, ahead of the July 26 - August 11 competition based on the outcome of a mid-June two-part training camp, with six to seven as yet unconfirmed friendlies scheduled in Europe. Mattar told Gulf News: "Of course I'm delighted to be selected and I hope to do my best for my country in order to be included in the final squad for the Olympic Games in London. It will be a great experience to play in an Olympics in venues such as the world famous Old Trafford and Wembley Stadium. This would be a dream come true for me and my teammates. I will try my hardest to help my teammates and do my country proud."

Mattar's outgoing club coach at Al Wahda, Josef Hickersberger, said: "I believe Esmail is the best player in the UAE. For sure the Olympic team will be better with Esmail Mattar than without him.

"Provided he is fit and motivated, which I'm sure he will be, this is a very good decision to include him. I've worked with no more gifted or talented a player in my whole life. It's just a matter of motivation.

"The team can benefit from his experience. It's clear to everyone the UAE will be outsiders and if they get one win it would be a big success — we have to be realistic. Mahdi Ali is a clever guy and I'm sure it's already in his mind as to how best to deploy Esmail."

Mahdi Ali said: "We've chosen four players based on a study. To be honest all the existing players have welcomed this step, especially the inclusion of Esmail Mattar. They will all be a valued addition to the squad. "All four are close in age to the existing U23 squad with the exception of Esmail Mattar, which is important. We've chosen them based on good performances over the current season."