UAE v Saudi Arabia takeaways: Changes to make, funks to shake

Photo Courtesy / Aletihad

Photo Courtesy / UAE FA

Photo Courtesy / Aletihad

Stringer / AFP

In the wake of Tuesday night's disheartening 3-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, John McAuley takes stock of what went wrong and what can change for the UAE.

Right-back remains a serious issue

It has long been viewed as a weak area, which has been only exacerbated by Mohammed Ahmed’s long-term injury. Against Saudi Arabia, Mahdi Ali chose Abdulaziz Haikal at right-back, but the Al Ahli defender had a torrid evening. He was booked for a wild challenge on Nawaf Al Abed, yet continued to jump into tackles, while he panicked when in a really promising attacking position early on. The nadir, though, arrived soon after t​he hosts had opened the scoring: Haikal took a bad touch following a UAE corner, allowing the Saudis to counter and double their lead. Calls for Al Nasr’s Ahmed Al Yassi and Al Shabab’s Manei Mohammed will only grow. They both warrant a call-up.

Two up top is too risky

Bert van Marwijk suggested as much post-match. The Saudi Arabia manager deployed three in central midfield, where Salman Al Faraj, Yahia Al Shehri and Taisir Al Jassem began to dominate Khamis Esmail and Tariq Ahmed once the UAE tired. It was not surprising, given Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout led the line in tandem for the visitors – leaving space behind them that in time the Saudis exploited. It was a bold move by Mahdi Ali, and his team competed well in the first half, yet it always seemed as if their opponents would soon make the extra body in the middle count. Ahmed played well again alongside Esmail, but against the stronger sides, they could do with more assistance.

Fresh back-ups are required

The UAE tired midway through the second half, much like five days previously at home to Thailand. It has often been said that the squad should be better utilised, with the likes of Salem Saleh and Hassan Ibrahim able to offer fresh legs when required. Mahdi Ali can also look outside his regular group, though. As mentioned, Al Yassi and Manei Mohammed are obvious candidates, as too is Al Nasr’s Mahmoud Khamis at left-back. Meanwhile, Mohammed Abdulrahman deserves a recall, while much is expected of Al Ain teammate Ahmed Barman. Also, once Majed Hassan returns from injury, he will slot back into central midfield. Hugely talented, he should be a guaranteed starter.

Amoory must overcome his Saudi funk

Omar Abdulrahman is considered one of Asia’s finest footballers, and with considerable merit, too. The Al Ain playmaker has been fantastic for club and country this season, reflected in a string of man-of-the-match awards. However, he struggled in Jeddah. It continues a theme: Abdulrahman has seldom performed to his capabilities against the Saudis and again was short of his best. He appears too eager to impress, too keen to prove a point, overcomplicating his play and wilting a little when his side needed him most. His connections to Saudi are well known, and it seems that affects him when up against Saudi sides. “Amoory” does not need to try so hard, for he undoubtedly has the quality to succeed.

UAE need to snap the jinx too

The record makes for uneasy reading. The UAE have yet to defeat Saudi Arabia in Saudi in a competitive fixture, while they have lost 21 of 34 contests. What is more, their most recent victory against their Gulf rivals came in 2007; since, Saudi have won eight of nine clashes. It is difficult to explain, especially more recently as the UAE’s so-called golden generation had arguably overtaken the Saudis in terms of genuine star-power. So is it a mental block, a psychological problem? Maybe that is just it: for so long, Saudi Arabia were West Asia’s undisputed best team, with four successive World Cup appearances from 1994 to 2006. History suggests they are superior to the UAE. It rang true once again.