UAE to play Palestine in Arab Cup opener

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has been clubbed in Group A for this summer's Arab Cup alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Kuwait.

The draw for the competition, which will be held in Jeddah and Taif from June 22 to July 7, late on Sunday night in Jeddah and was attended by Ahmad Saeed, the administrator of the UAE senior national team.

The UAE will start their campaign against Palestine on the opening day and then face the hosts on June 25 and Kuwait on June 29.

Fifa ranking

"It was a balanced draw and was based on Fifa rankings of the teams for the month of May," Saeed said. "It is good to play in Taif because the weather will be better than in Jeddah, bearing in mind the high degree of humidity in the summer."

Dr Abdulla Misfir, the UAE caretaker coach will soon announce the squad to attend a training camp in Turkey from early next month after the domestic and continental competitions have finished.