The UAE continued their good form ahead of the AFC U23 Championships with a 2-0 win over China in a friendly match at Dubai Officer’s Club on New Year’s Day.
It was the team’s second win in the final preparation period after beating North Korea 3-0 on December 23. The competition, where a top-three finish will also guarantee progress to the Rio Olympic Games this summer, kicks off in Doha on January 12 and will run until the end of the month.
The UAE took the lead straight after half time from a penalty by Sharjah forward Yousef Saeed after Mohamed Al Akbari of Al Wahda was brought down. China, who had an effort ruled out in the first half for offside, dominated for long periods of the match and had several chances to equalise all of which where wasted. The home team doubled their lead on 74 minutes through a header by Al Jazira striker Ahmed Al Attas after fine play from Al Ain duo Saeed Mussabeh and Ahmed Barman.
Abdullah Misfir’s team play their final preparation match on Monday against South Korea in Dubai. before flying out to Doha.
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