U23s beat Tajikistan 2-1 in final warm-up

Fourth and final test precedes next week’s AFC U23 Championship qualifiers

The UAE Under-23 national team beat Tajikistan 2-1 in Al Ain on Monday in their fourth and final preparatory friendly ahead of next week’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Championship qualifiers.

Shahin Surour opened The Whites’ account just before half-time and Ali Eid added a second after the hour before Samev Shahrum pulled one back for the Lions with 17 minutes remaining.

The UAE will now play Nepal, Lebanon and Uzbekistan in Group D of the AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers next week. All games will be played at the Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Stadium in Al Ain.

Hassan Al Abdouli’s side will The UAE Under 23s will now play Nepal, Lebanon and Uzbekistan in Group D. ■ play Nepal on Saturday, July 15, from 6.25pm, Lebanon next Monday, July 17, from 9.15pm, and Uzbekistan next Wednesday, July 19, from 6.25pm.

Thirty nine teams are in action with 10 groups of four (Sri Lanka have withdrawn) playing out in various locations across Asia between July 15 and 23. The top team from all 10 groups and the five best runners-up will qualify for the AFC Under-23 Championships in China from January 9-27, 2018.

Despite China qualifying automatically as hosts they have still opted to compete in qualifiers. If The Dragons top their group or finish among the five best runners-up, the sixth best runner-up will also qualify.

The UAE had earlier prepared for this campaign with a 3-2 friendly win over Bahrain in Dubai, followed by two friendly draws with Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, which ended 1-1 and 2-2.

Thirty nine teams are in action with 10 groups of four playing out in various locations across Asia between July 15 and 23.