Abdullah Misfir will get a closer look at his charges on the UAE Under 19 national team when they face Sohar of Oman in a friendly on Saturday.
It will be their first game under the Emirati coach, who has had a 32-player squad shortlisted for a four-day camp at the Football Association’s Theyab Awana grounds in Dubai.
Misfir is preparing the side for the AFC U19 Championship in Myanmar from October 6 to 20. The UAE have been drawn in Group B, which includes Uzbekistan, Australia and Indonesia.
The team met up under the new coach for the second time after their first four-day camp shortly before Ramadan.
"We will continue with this trend during the fasting month to keep the players in good shape," said Misfir, who left Al Dhafra after the Arabian Gulf League season.
“We have already drawn up a good programme for the boys beginning with a short camp in Slovakia on August 15. They are a very talented squad and I’m looking forward to working with them in the coming months.”
Misfir has a similar short programme designed a week later that includes two games against an Egyptian counterpart.
“It is important for them to play more games. We have a big squad and need to provide playing opportunities for as many of them as possible before we decide on the final squad,” he said.
“Obviously, more games will also give me the opportunity to experiment and try different combinations. We will regroup again after the friendly game on July 12.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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