UAE Olympic team play for pride, bronze at Asian Games

PEP TALK: The UAE Olympic team are all ears as the team management speaks during a training session on Friday.-UAE FA

The UAE Olympic team may have failed to emulate the class of 2010 but they still have pride to play for, and not least a bronze medal, in the men's football competition at the Asian Games.
The Under-23 side overcame quite a few obstacles pre-tournament and over the course of it to reach the semifinals in Indonesia but that is as far as they could go. The narrow and heartbreaking defeat to Japan means Maciej Skorza's boys will contest for the bronze against Vietnam at 12 noon UAE time, at the Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong on Saturday.
And they will be looking to give it that one last push as they try to swell the UAE's medals tally, which is their best showing at the Games since their first appearance in 1978, even further.
Going for gold and bringing glory to the nation was their ultimate mission but it wasn't to be. They also couldn't mimic the side of 2010, who went on to win the silver in Guangzhou, China. But then, this side can be nevertheless proud of what they have accomplished so far and will do along the way as they set their sights on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
This pool of players represents the future of the UAE National team and they should be wrapped in cotton wool.
Skorza said as well as he let one eye glance into the future.
"We had hoped to compete for the gold medal but this is how far we could go. Winning the bronze will be a good reward for the players' efforts during the training camps and the competition," said Skorza.
"We need to think about the future by looking for new faces that will strengthen the team before the qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which will be launched in March next year," he added.
james@khaleejtimes.com