UAE squad hit the training pitch ahead of Tajikistan and Bahrain friendlies – in pictures

New manager Jorge Luis Pinto led the session as the national team continue preparations for the postponed World Cup qualifiers

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  Sebastian Tagliabue, centre, takes part in a training session with the UAE national team in Dubai ahead of friendly matches against Tajikistan and Bahrain. All photos courtesy UAE FA

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  Ali Saleh warms up for a training session with the UAE squad ahead of friendly matches against Tajikistan and Bahrain.

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  Mahmoud Khamis during a training session with the UAE national team.

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  Habib Fardan listens to UAE manager Jorge Luis Pinto during a training session in Dubai ahead of friendly matches against Tajikistan and Bahrain.

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  Caio Canedo on the ball during a UAE training session in Dubai.

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  UAE manager Jorge Luis Pinto during the training session in Dubai.

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  UAE players listen to manager Jorge Luis Pinto during the training session in Dubai.

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  Shaheen Abdelrahman, left, and Caio during the training session in Dubai.

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  Khalifa Al Hammadi on the ball during a UAE training session.

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  Fabio De Lima controls the ball during a training session with the UAE squad.

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  Sebastian Tagliabue during the training session in Dubai.

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  Mohammed Barghas, left, and Adel Al Hosani stretch during a training session.

The UAE national team have begun their latest training camp as they prepare for a friendly double-header in Dubai from Thursday.

The players were put through their paces at Al Nasr club on Monday night by new manager Jorge Luis Pinto, ahead of the friendly against Tajikistan on Thursday. The UAE then face Bahrain on Monday.

On Tuesday, the Football Association announced that Mohammed Fawzi, the experienced Nasr full-back, had joined the squad, following on from the late inclusion of Al Wasl midfielder Ali Salmeen and on-loan Hatta winger Abdullah Kazim. Faris Juma, Khamis Esmail and Mohammed Shaker have withdrawn from the camp because of injury.

The UAE’s 2022 World Cup campaign was postponed in March because of the pandemic, with dates for their remaining four second-round fixtures yet to be confirmed.