The UAE’s fight for a spot at Rio 2016 edged closer on Sunday as they landed in Qatar ahead of the decisive AFC U-23 Championship.

Dr Abdullah Misfer’s charges require a top-three finish at the tournament to follow in the footsteps of the class of 2012 and secure a second-successive entry into the Olympics.

A tough opener against Australia awaits on Thursday as play in Group D gets under way, but Sharjah full-back Abdulla Ghanem, 20, is convinced the support of the nation will inspire them.

He said: “We hope that our fans retain their presence as always behind the national teams in all various forms. “Our team now needs to focus during the current period and make a double effort to compete and achieve positive results which will satisfy the aspirations of the UAE.”

The Whites travelled to Doha with a provisional 24-man squad, which will see its number reduced by one prior to the Olyroos test.

This spot is being filled by Emirates Club attacking midfielder Walid Ambar. There was a late blow for Dr Misfer as Al Nasr defender Khalifa Mubarak, 22, was ruled out of the tournament through injury.

Al Dhafra youngster Abdulrahman Yousuf, 22, was called up in his place. The UAE have played three warm-up matches, defeating North Korea 3-0 and China 2-0 prior to a comprehensive 3-0 loss to South Korea.

Al Ain left-back Saeed Musabbeh, 21, insists the painful lessons learned from the setback on January 4 will be used positively at the Championship.

He said: “The players are constantly striving to perform to the level which is required of us in the field. We were not successful against South Korea, but this is not the end because it was a friendly.

“We know the negatives and positives we can take from the match and we will make use of them before the finals. When the results are not as required in friendly matches, it inspires us to do better in the official confrontations. I would like to assure all the Whites supporters we are ready.”

The UAE’s quest to reach next summer’s event will continue in Group D against Jordan on January 17 and Vietnam on January 20. At a minimum, they will require victory in January 26’s semi-finals to qualify.