Abdullah Misfir is back and UAE need just a draw against winless Vietnam to advance at AFC U23 Championships

Before Sunday’s match against Jordan, coach Misfir was taken to hospital suffering from high blood pressure, but was later discharged with a clean bill of health. He will be in the dug-out for the UAE on Wednesday, reports Ali Khaled.

UAE Under 23s coach Abdullah Misfir. (UAE FA)

The UAE will face Vietnam in their final Group D match at the 2016 AFC U23 Championships in Qatar on Wednesday night knowing that a draw will be good enough to see them progress to the quarter-finals of a tournament where the top three will automatically qualify to the Rio Olympics this summer.

The UAE, with four points from two matches, are currently in second place on goal difference behind Jordan, who face a much tougher fixture against a strong Australia team.

Abdullah Misfir’s men will be expected to follow up their 1-0 win over Australia and stalemate against Jordan with a win against the group’s weakest team, who have lost their first two games and are already out of contention for a quarter-final spot.

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A draw at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha will guarantee progress regardless of the result in the other match, and a win could see them top the group depending on the scoreline of Australia v Jordan.

There was good news for the UAE when it was revealed their coach will be back on the bench against Vietnam.

Before Sunday’s match against Jordan, Misfir was taken to hospital suffering from high blood pressure, but was later discharged with a clean bill of health and has resumed taking charge of the squad’s training sessions over the last two days.

Assistant coach Noureddin Al Abidin, who took charge of the team during the match, confirmed that Misfir had picked his first eleven before being taken to hospital for “precautionary measures”.

“After taking charge, I assured the players and asked them not to be affected by their coach’s sudden absence and to play with focus,” he said.

“Especially that the result could have been decisive for our team. Responsibility during the match was shared and my job as an assistant manager is to step up when called upon.”​

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