Streak ends

Today’s game is the second of two friendlies as part of their training camp in Switzerland. Mahdi Ali’s team lost 4-3 to Armenia last week, a result that ended a stretch of 20 games unbeaten under the Emirati since September 11, 2012.

Experience

Hamdan Al Kamali, the Al Wahda centre-back, who left the camp after injuring a knee against Armenia, said the experience of playing a team ranked 34 places above them will stand them in good stead.

Positive thinking

“We matched them for a major part of that game and scored three goals. So there were a lot of good things we could take from that game,” said Al Kamali, who is to travel to Germany for treatment in a few days.

Priorities

Al Kamali said that results are secondary in friendly matches. “I am sure the team is well tuned for the second friendly against Georgia. On one hand, you can say the results from these friendlies are important, and on the other, it can also be less important. However, what really matters from these friendlies are to implement the plans and tactics, and trying out different combinations that the coach wants us to do.”

Preparations

The camp in Switzerland was the first time the national team had gathered in nearly three months. They are preparing for their title defence of the Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia from November 13 to 26 and the Asian Cup in Australia next year from January 9 to 31.