DUBAI // A squad of 18 promising UAE-based footballers will travel to Spain next month to play against four youth sides from top La Liga clubs.
The team — which has been picked by coaches from Spain’s top flight — was chosen at the end of a six-month selection period which saw more than 7,000 players take part in various tournaments run by Du.
The “duFC Elite team” was taken from a final shortlist of 70 boys, following a two-day coaching clinic with four La Liga coaches flown in from Spain.
For the past month, the Elite team has been taking part in a training camp at the Sevens Stadium, delivered by Uefa certified La Liga coaches.
Hussein Murad, chief executive of Inspiratus, the organisers of duFC said, “Our objective is to bring the boys’ levels up to European standards, ensuring they are not just physically prepared for their matches against LaLiga’s top youth clubs, but are mentally and emotionally fit.”
Following the trip from Spain, the Elite team will be enrolled at du La Liga High Performance Centre where they will continue their rigorous training.
The duFC Elite team members are:
Goalkeepers:
Nawaf Hussein (Abu Dhabi)
Mahan Javaheri (Dubai)
Defenders:
Mohannad Wahdan, Center (Abu Dhabi)
Lucas Tetart, Center (Dubai)
Laurent Hallal, Right back (Dubai)
Rashed Ahmed, Left back (Northern Emirates)
Yuvir Vekram Kelkar, Center (Dubai)
Midfielders:
Mohamed Bouherrafa, Center-Mid (Dubai)
Luka Eric, Center-Mid (Dubai)
Ahmad Salam Abu Shihab, Right-Mid (Abu Dhabi)
Ahmed El Yamani, Left-Mid (Northern Emirates)
Mohamad Anas, Center-Mid (Dubai)
Ahmed Asif Aref, Left-Mid (Northern Emirates)
Amir Faghighi, Right-Mid (Dubai)
Forward:
Ramy Hatem, (Al Ain)
Yahia Iraqi, (Dubai)
Mohamed Rajeh (Northern Emirates)
Driss Matni, (Abu Dhabi)
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