The United Arab Emirates U18 squad has landed in Israel on Friday, to take part in the youth winter tournament in Israel, with the tournament playing host to the first ever official match between an Emirati and Israeli national team.
The game will take place on Sunday at the Netanya Stadium, and will also be the first match any Arab national team has played against the Israelis.
Both teams will also take on the German and Russian U18’s, who are also taking part in the competition, running until December 17.
A few hours before the historic match against Israel, Babagol’s Uri Levy met a couple of the Emirati players at their hotel in Netanya.
First up was 17-year-old goalkeeper Marzooq Rashed, UAE U18 & Hatta goalkeeper.
Uri - “What’s the atmosphere among the players in your arrival here, as the first ever Emirati national team to play against an Israeli one, and participating in this tournament?”
Rashid - “The atmosphere in Israel is very good, and we are happy to be here and play the winter tournament”
Uri - “Do the players understand the meaning behind the match? Did someone explain to you its importance?”
Rashid - “Yeah they talked with us and explained it to us, and we know it is a historic match. It’s good!”
Uri - “And have you ever thought or dreamt of playing in the Israeli League one day?”
Rashid - “Who knows? Why not? (Laughs)”
Afterwards, UA captain and Sharjah forward Dari Fahd joined the conversation.
Fahd - “A tournament is always important, so we can learn and improve from it, and hopefully it will be successful one, inchallah”
Uri - “What’s your dream in football and in your footballing career?”
Fahd - “Inchallah I will get to the senior national team and play first-team football at the club I’m currently at”
Uri - “And have you ever thought or dreamt of playing in the Israeli League one day?”
Fahd - “Inchallah, if this god wrote, I hope so yes”
