The National’s Sport cover for the Wednesday, November 26 issue, features the UAE’s Ali Mabkhout fighting for possession of the ball during the consolation match of the Gulf Cup of Nations on Tuesday night.
The UAE secured third place at the 2014 Gulf Cup after a low-key, 1-0 win over Oman before another small crowd at Prince Faisal Stadium in Riyadh.
Both teams were understandably downcast after Sunday night's semi-final defeats and managers Mahdi Ali and Paul Le Guen used the match to give some of their fringe players an opportunity to play.
Oman almost scored after five minutes when Saeed Al Ruzaiqi’s header from a corner was tipped around the post by reserve UAE keeper Khalid Essa, who was getting a taste of the action as Ali Kasheif was rested.
Mabkhout, who was subdued by Saudi Arabia in a 3-2 loss in the semi-finals, was lively up front and clearly looking for more goals to secure the tournament’s top-scorer award. Rashid Essa, drafted in on the right side of a four-man midfield, also impressed in the early stages.
Click here to read Ali Khaled’s match report
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