The UAE can reach the quarter-finals of the Asian Under 19 Championship if they beat Indonesia by a two-goal margin in Myanmar on Tuesday, regardless of the result in Group B’s other game between Australia and Uzbekistan.
Those two nations both have four points while the UAE have two – from consecutive draws – and Indonesia are pointless.
The UAE are heavily favoured to beat Indonesia, and a win for either side in the other match would see that team make the quarter-finals.
A draw between Uzbekistan and Australia and a win for the UAE would leave qualification to be decided by each team’s result against Indonesia. Australia won 1-0 and Uzbekistan won 3-1.
“Our spirits are high and we have the chance to qualify. We must play with the aim of reaching the quarter-final,” said Abdullah Misfir, the UAE coach, ahead of the match at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw.
“It will still be a very difficult match for us. Indonesia has no pressure on them, they can relax and play their football.
“[For us] It is very clear, we must win by at least a two-goal margin and we are through to the next round.”
A 1-0 win for the UAE and an Australia draw would mean goal difference, goals scored and then disciplinary record could all come in to play as tiebreakers.
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