UAE face Bahrain

Abu Dhabi: The UAE are set to complete their preparations for the final round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup tonight when they face Bahrain in a friendly match at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium.

The match will be the final warm-up for both the UAE and Bahrain before facing North Korea and Japan, respectively, in their opening matches of the final round of the qualifiers.

The UAE have been drawn in Group B with North Korea, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iran while Bahrain face Qatar, Japan, Australia and Uzbekistan.

Bruno Metsu, the head coach of the UAE and his counterpart of Bahrain, Milan Macala, are expected to field the same sides that will line-up in the official qualifiers on September 6.

The UAE held their final training session before the match last night in the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium.

All the players took part except Basheer Saeed, who broke his arm and will not feature in tonight's match

Hayder Allo Ali also sat out the session as he was recovering from injury.

Doctor's orders

But team physician Dr Jalal Al Ghali said Hayder had fully recovered and would be available to take part in tonight's game against Bahrain.

But Metsu is expected to try him for 45 minutes only as Hayder missed all the team's friendly matches during their training camp in Switzerland and France.

Esmail Rabie will play in goal as UAE's usual custodian Majid Nasir will not play against North Korea because of a one match suspension.

Saleh Obaid, Faris Jumaa, Rashid Abdul Rahman and Hayder are expected to feature in defence with Abdul Rahim Jumaa, Hilal Saeed, Mohammad Ebarhim (Subait Khater) and Esmail Al Hammadi (Ahmad Dada) in midfield while Esmail Mattar and Mohammad Al Shehhi will lead the attack.

"The match is of great importance to us," Fahad Ali, the former captain of the UAE and the administrator of the team, told Gulf News.

Last friendly

"It is our last friendly match and the technical staff will try the plan which the team will apply in the official encounters.

"Our players realise the importance of the qualifications and they are determined to show their fans their determination to win a seat in the finals of the World Cup by showing their best against Bahrain.

"I do hope that our fans will attend the match and support the players."

Bahrain striker Alaa Hubial said welcomed the opportunity to face the UAE.

He said: "The UAE are one of the best Asian teams and it is an excellent opportunity to play against them before the kick off of the qualifications.

"I believe both teams will benefit from the match and I do hope that both teams will win seats in South Africa in 2010."