The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has appointed Ali Ibrahim as new head coach of the Olympic football national team.
Ali Ibrahim will lead the Olympic national team during the AGCC under-23 championship in Bahrain. — Supplied photo
The two sides have reportedly signed a one year contract, but no details have been unveiled about the contract’s value.
Ali Ibrahim, a former player and coach of Ras Al Khaimah Club replaces the outgoing head coach Mahdi Ali, the current manager of the senior national team.
Ibrahim will lead the Olympic national team during the AGCC under-23 championship in Bahraini capital Manama during the period from August 15 to 25, the Islamic Solidarity Games in November, and the U-22 Asian Cup in the Sultanate Oman. Yousuf Abdulla, secretary general of the UAEFA welcomed Ibrahim saying that he’s one of the prominent coaches in the country and led many successful attempts with the boys in white.
“The UAEFA will continue to encourage and support the national coaches as part of its policy to develop the game,” Abdulla said.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim thanked the FA president and board members for the confidence which they have placed in him and promised to make every move to keep the flag of the nation flying at all regional and international events.
“It’s a big challenge and hopefully I will be able to live up to the expectations. My immediate objective is to follow in the footsteps of the great performance of the Olympic national team after the former coach Mahdi Ali has made history by advancing for the first time to the 2012 London Games,” he said.
The new coach has previously led the U-17 national team in the Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kuwait, Inter-School Championship in Dammam, U-17 Gulf Cup in Qatar, FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, U-17 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan, U-17 Gulf Cup 2008 in KSA, AFC Festival 2008 in Qatar, AFC U-17 Cup qualifiers 2007, AFC Festival, Oman 2006, AFC U-17 Cup qualifiers in Syria 2005, FIFA U-20 World Cup UAE 2003, AFC U-19 Cup Qatar 2002 and the AFC U-19 Cup Qualifiers in 2002.
He also guided the youth national team during the Al Ain International Tournament 2011, North Africa International Youth Tournament in Tunisia 2010, Al Ain International Tournament 2010, Ain Darahim International Tournament 2008 in Tunisia, Al Wahda International Tournament 2004 and Oman International Tournament in 2002.
However, as a player, Ibrahim achieved the title of the second division national league with Ras Al Khaima and the club was promoted to the first division in 1986/1987 season. And after the team was relegated, it was again promoted to the first division in 1990/1991.