Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has arrived in Abu Dhabi, to attend FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 in the United Arab Emirates. The competition will start on Wednesday with Al Ain of UAE facing Team Wellington of New Zealand, at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Shaikh Salman stressed the importance of Asian teams participating in the competition and said that he was confident that Al Ain and Kashima Antlers from Japan will provide a positive impression as the two teams had the ambition and ability to produce high level performances and get positive results.
The AFC president said: "Al Ain has great experience and players of the highest calibre. They will also enjoy home advantage, which we hope will give them impetus to progress in the tournament. Kashima Antlers have shown they are in a good position after winning the AFC Champions League recently, and we hope they continue to get good results for Asian football."
Shaikh Salman expressed his confidence on the infrastructure in UAE and the LOC;'s ability to deliver a top class event.
The AFC President said: "The fact that the FIFA Club World Cup is being staged in the UAE once again reflects the country's position in delivering top class sport. The UAE has already successfully hosted different international and continental competitions in recent years, and so we are confident they will excel again."