The UAE takes on Sri Lanka tonight in Al Qattara Stadium in Al Ain in a friendly match. The UAE start their matches in the first round of the Asian 2002 World Cup qualifiers where they will compete in group eight against India, Brunei and Yemen for the only seat in the second round.

The UAE enter tonight's match with great expectations to change the poor impression they gave to their supporters in their last match against Oman, in Muscat last Tuesday when they lost 1-2 following a weak performance.

Frenchman Henry Michel, head coach of the team, says that losing that match is not the end of the world. It might even work to the advantage of the team to lose such friendly games because the defeats indicate the mistakes of the team and the technical staff can work to correct it before the official competition kicks off.

"Nevertheless, we hope to win tonight's match because it will boost the morale of the players and put them in a better frame of mind before the start of the official competition." Michel said.

It was not for psychological reasons only that Michel hopes his team will emerge victorious from tonight's match. He wants to be sure about the performance of the players especially the defence line. In the last match defence committed too many errors.

UAE did not field their ideal line up against Oman because of fatigue and injury to some key players which were the reasons for the defeat in the friendly match.

The ideal team, according to past performances is expected to consist of Moutaz Abdullah as custodian, Fahad Ali, Mohammed Jasim and Jalil Abdul Rahman in defence with Jasim as libero. Abdul Salam Jumaa in midfield as pivotal player with his brother Abdul Rahim, Hayder Allo Ali, Fahad Massaood, and Mohammed Ibrahim as a third striker and playmaker behind the attacking line which is expected to feature Yasir Salim with either Saeed Al Kass or Mohammed Omar.

"The team suffers from some minor injuries sustained during the trainings but we need at least 18 totally fit players to take part in the two away matches against India and Brunei," Michel said.

Veteran midfielder Adil Mohammed who had been invited to the national squad after three years of injury suffered from a minor injury during their external training in Oman together with newcomer Hussain Suhail the striker while Al Kass was injured during the friendly match against Oman.

The problem of the team had been mainly in the left side of defence. Michel used Subait Khatir there despite the fact that Khatir is nominated as the best player in UAE during the present season performing an attacking midfield role. He had scored some brilliant goals leading his team Al Ain to win the GCC Clubs Championship.

If Michel settled for Fahad Ali in the left side of defence then Khatir will compete with Hayder Allo for the midfield role with the unrecovered and more experienced Adil Mohammed as another candidate for the same place.

Fahad Massaood who did not start the match against Oman in usual right side midfield role might start tonight's match with Michel having to select one between Massaood and Humaid Fakhir although Massaood might have the upper hand because of his amazing ability to fire long rangers which made his Al Wahda's supporters call him the "Rocket Launcher". He scored the UAE's lone goal from a free kick from outside the penalty area as one of many goals he scored this season.