The UAE’s path to the 2016 Olympics began successfully yesterday as they brushed aside minnows Sri Lanka 4-0 in their opening 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualifier.

– Late Khamis winner earns Al Ahli third Arabian Gulf Super Cup
– #Quiz360: WIN a group paintball session at Zayed Sports City

Entry to the tournament in Qatar next January is vital for the Whites, a top-three finish providing the possibility of a repeat of their valiant displays at the 2012 London Games.

A breathless five-day Group D campaign got under way in Fujairah last night, the slain Sri Lankans to be followed by Tajikistan tomorrow and Yemen to finish on Tuesday.

With only top spot guaranteed to make the AFC competition, a good start was necessary. New coach Dr Abdulla Misfir would have been pleased with what he saw against piecemeal opposition.

Left-back Hussain Abbas sparked the 15th-minute opener, his centre being converted effortlessly by Al Jazira playmaker Khalfan Mubarak. Yousif Saeed then was the key man for their second. His cross hit the outstretched hand of a defender, the Sharjah forward stepping up calmly to convert from the penalty spot.

Al Nasr ‘keeper Ahmed Shambieh was a spectator throughout, the Sri Lankans posing no real threat.

A third duly came soon after the break, Jazira starlet Ahmed Rabia – a previous recipient of a call-up to the senior Whites side – nodding in from Al Nasr forward Fahad Hadeed’s cross.

Sri Lanka defender Sunil Roshan then put into his own goal, completing a miserable day for his team and a bright one for the UAE.