English Premier League title contenders Manchester City will face Al Ain in a friendly at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on May 15.
The news was announced on Al Ain’s Twitter account on Thursday.
City were due to travel the UAE to take on the 2012/13 Arabian Gulf League champions in a January 14 friendly to mark the opening of the new 25,000-seater stadium.
However, their third-round FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers went to a replay, clashing with the game and forcing a cancellation at the time.
The match will come three days after the end of the English Premier League season. City are still in the hunt to win the championship – they are six points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand – and host West Ham United on May 11.
The Arabian Gulf League season ends on May 10, though Al Ain are out of contention as Al Ahli have already wrapped up the title. Three days after the City match, on May 18, Al Ain face Ahli in the final of the President’s Cup at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
It will not be the first time City have played in the UAE. In 2009, a largely reserve side lost 1-0 to the UAE national team at Zayed Sports City.
sports@thenational.ae
