The country’s football chief expects the UAE’s bid to host the 2019 Asian Cup will win the approval of the Asian Football Confederation when its executive committee meets in Bahrain on Monday.
The continent’s premier international competition is expected to expand from 16 nations to 24 in 2019, making it the biggest and most prestigious senior football tournament to be organised by the UAE, eclipsing the 12-team Asian Cup of 1996.
“We are waiting with big confidence that we will win this and host 2019,” Yousef Al Serkal, president of the Football Association, said on Sunday.
He said the UAE bid met “the latest standards in everything” and that the Emirates are “completely ready to host the Asian event”.
Iran is the other bidder for the tournament.
Al Serkal said the country’s success in hosting Fifa tournaments puts it in good stead for a favourable result, recalling the 2009 and 2010 Fifa Club World Cups hosted by Abu Dhabi, as well as the 24-nation 2003 Fifa World Youth Championship as well as the Fifa Under 17 World Cup organised across the UAE in 2013.
“Everyone knows the ability of the UAE to organise tournaments,” he said.
The Asian Cup was last held in the UAE in 1996. Saudi Arabia defeated the hosts in the final, via a penalty shoot-out.
"Our goal is to hold this tournament and win it for the first time," said Mohammed Abdulaziz, a member of the organising committee. "Not just to challenge for it, as in Australia", where the UAE finished third in January.
The bid calls for the tournament to be played in six stadiums in three cities: Zayed Sports City and Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi; Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium in Al Ain; and Dubai’s stadium under construction in Dubai Sports City as well as the Dubai International Cricket Ground.
“We’re ready to show that whether it’s 16 or 24 teams, we can do it,” said Mohammed Abdullah Al Dhaheri, the FA general secretary.
“Lots of other factors are on our side,” Al Serkal added. “We are completely confident in this proposal and with the voting countries I believe the following hours will see us celebrating and celebrating our leadership’s backing.
“Our desire to hold this at home shows our pride in our continent, and we want to show the UAE in a good light and how much he have progressed in all aspects of life, as well as a sporting one.”
* With agency
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Our legal advisor
Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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