The UAE national team has arranged a prestigious friendly date with European champions AC Milan.

The Gulf State will use the game, scheduled to take place on January 8 in Dubai, as part of their preparations for the third round of Asia's 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Milan will arrive in the middle-eastern nation on January 2 for a week-long winter training camp.

Emirates Airline are supporting the friendly which is expected to provide a full-house Al Maktoum Stadium at the Al Nasr Sports Club.

Gaith Al Gaith, Emirates' Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, told Gulf News: "AC Milan are without a doubt one of the greatest sports teams and a force to be reckoned with in the world of football.

"It is very exciting that through our partnership with AC Milan, Emirates is able to bring them to Dubai, where football fans here will be able to watch them train and then see them playing against our own UAE team."