The team held a fitness training session at the hotel’s gymnasium in the morning and a full training session at the Sharjah stadium in the evening.

All the players took part in the training including Esmail Hammadi, who was reportedly injured. The team’s doctor said the injury was slight and will not prevent him from playing on Wednesday if the coach decides to include him on the playing eleven. Esmail Rashid, the UAE team manager, said the Uzbekistan match is very important to reach the Asian Cup Finals Doha 2011.

"After we defeated Malaysia with a big win and fine performance, we hope to continue against Uzbekistan on Wednesday to top the group with six points, which means our qualification to the Asian Cup Finals in Qatar in 2011," said Rashid.

The UAE’s third match in group C in the Asian Cup qualifiers will be after in January 2010 against Malaysia at home on January 6 and the last match in the group will be away to Uzbekistan on March 3. "We do not want to wait until next year to secure qualification. We want it to be decided by ourselves on Wednesday."

Rashid claimed that the technical and adminstration staff are satisfied with the big win achieved against Malaysia. "But we will work hard on the players’ morale" so that they do not become complacent after the 5-0 drubbing they gave Malaysia.

"We want them to forget the win against Malaysia and fight on Wednesday to win the three points at home. We are confident our players will spare no effort in defending the UAE colours...," he said.