ABU DHABI // Mahdi Ali, the UAE national coach, thinks playing against Brazil at the Under 17 World Cup will give the Emirati youngsters a chance to show how far the nation has progressed in the sport.
The coach believes the youngsters have the technical skills and abilities to match the three-time champions in Group A, which also includes Slovakia and Honduras, whom the UAE meet on opening night at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
"Brazil will certainly be the team to beat, but there are no weak teams in this competition," Mahdi Ali said.
"To progress beyond the group stage, the UAE will need to play at their best against all teams. Obviously the game against Brazil would be the highlight, as this game would showcase our football to the world."
Mahdi Ali, who had success with UAE youth teams at the Under 19 and Under 23 levels, believes it is dangerous to compare the youth sides to the senior set-up.
"Some countries may have a very good first teams, but the junior and youth levels may not be the same," he said.
Iraq were drawn against Mexico, Nigeria and Sweden, and Muwaffaq Husein, their coach, expressed frustration. "We didn't expect such a hard group, but now I have to face it," he said. "All three teams in our group have an excellent track record at this age group and we will try to do to our best."
Nigeria are three-time winners and Mexico are the reigning champions. Sweden made the semi-finals of the European Under 17 Championship.
Follow us
[ @SprtNationalUAE ]
