Khalil confident UAE can learn from costly mistakes against Japan

The UAE captain is convinced his team can go beyond the group stage at the Asian Under 19 Championship in China.

With Monday's opening defeat against Japan mostly of their own doing, Ahmed Khalil, the UAE captain, is convinced his team can go beyond the group stage at the Asian Under 19 Championship in Zibo, China.

An own goal and a bad fumble from Ahmed Mohammed, the goalkeeper, saw the youngsters lose 2-1 to Japan in their first Group C match. Such is the rapid turnaround of games at the tournament that they meet Jordan today (KO 1.30pm) with a quick chance to make amends. Japan play Vietnam earlier in the day.

"Sometimes we must be happy the mistakes were made so early in the competition," said Khalil, who was the top scorer when the UAE won their first Asian Championship at this age group in Saudi Arabia two years ago.

"We go into the second game with a lesson learned and hopefully won't repeat the mistakes. It was a game we could have won, had we taken those chances that came our way. I hope that too will come good in this game.

"Japan are strong opponents but we were the better side on that day, but didn't have luck. "The boys were naturally upset after the first game but the coach, Juma Rabee, hasn't pointed a finger at anyone. He has told us to forget that game and be focused on our next match, for which we are.

"This is a strong and talented side, and we can win if we play true to our potential."

In today's other games, Australia face Iran and South Korea meet Yemen in Group D.

China claimed their second win - 2-0 over Syria - to go on top of Group A. They are assured of a place in the quarter-finals, with Syria and Saudi Arabia facing each other in the final match for the remaining berth. Uzbekistan, finalists in 2008, are in the same situation, having beaten Bahrain to make it two from two in Group B. North Korea and Bahrain meet for the second quarter-final spot.