The UAE’s preparations for their vital training camp in Spain have begun after members of the 25-man squad underwent medical examinations yesterday.

Whites boss Mahdi Ali has declared the trip from July 10-August 10 will be a vital period in the nation’s bid to reach World Cup 2018.

The lengthy get-together will be the last before the third and final round of qualifying gets under way with the daunting double header against Japan and 2015 Asian Cup winners Australia on September 1 and 6.

“Medical examinations are made on an annual basis for all the national teams and precedes the beginning of preparations for the new football season,” said head of sports medicine Dr Mustafa Al Sayed Hashemi.

The examinations at Dubai’s Burjeel Hospital will continue for three days, with the health and physical readiness of the players set to be determined ahead of a run of five friendlies against un-named
Spanish clubs.