UAE vs Oman player ratings as Omar Abdulrahman scores just 3 after double penalty miss in Gulf Cup final defeat

Here, we rate the players from both sides in the wake of the UAE’s failure to claim a third Gulf Cup.

OMAN (4-2-3-1)

Al Rushaidi 8 – Frustrated Abdulrahman in the dying seconds of second half and in shootout. Otherwise, was surprisingly  untroubled.

Suhail 7 – An energetic presence on the right flank. Went close with one driving run and shot, also produced excellent penalty in shootout.

Said 7 – Complimented Al Musallami well. Made one superb covering tackle to keep out Mabkhout in extra time.

Al Musallami 7 – Unfortunate to concede penalty when Mabkhout went down. His energy helped keep the Al Jazira man in check.

Al Busaidi 7 – Complimented Suhail well. Outshone opposite number, Mohamed Ahmed.

Al Saadi 6 – Kept it simple throughout. A good foil for the attackers.

Kano 7 – Relished his battle with Esmail and Salmeen. Went close with a first-half header. Unstoppable penalty in shootout.

Ibrahim 6 – Quietest part of the Oman attack. but his energy helped unsettle the UAE.

Johar 7 – Stole the headlines with his perfect penalty under pressure to prevail in the shootout. On another night, would have been the match winner in normal time. Forced fine stops from Essa with a header and free-kick.

Al Yahmadi 6 – Had one threatening shot which was dragged wide.

Al Hajri 5 – The ex-Al Dhafra front man was bullied by the UAE defenders and headed wide with an open goal at his mercy in extra time when picked out at back post.

SUBS

Salim 6 –  Kept Oman ticking over. Essa got fingertips to penalty, but still went in.

Al Mushaifri 6 –  Negligible impact from the bench.

Al Muqbali 6 – Blink and you missed him. But penalty was perfect.

UAE (3-4-3)

Essa 8 – By far the UAE’s best player. Made two particularly fine saves from Johar; a second-half header and extra-time free-kick.

Mubarak 6 – Playing a third centre-back was unnecessary. Sacrificed early in second half.

I. Ahmed 6 – Towering presence in both penalty areas. Was busier than he would have expected to be. Smashed in a great penalty down the middle.

Salem 6  – Usual dogged self. Dominated Al Hajri.

M. Ahmed 5 – Invisible display from the versatile Al Ain defender.

Salmeen 5 – Lack of experience at this level showed. Notable that attackers declined to pass to him when free.

Esmail 6 – Experienced head in the middle. Kept ball rotating.

Al Menhali 5 – Was the hero in the semi-final, but only impact on Friday night came in the shootout. Another good penalty.

O. Abdulrahman 3 – Poor reputation in big games was only strengthened. Weak penalties at the end of second half and in shootout were unforgivably bad.

Mabkhout 5 – Struggled to make an impact, forced to feed on crumbs. Went down easily for missed penalty. Produced in the shootout with a nerveless first effort.

Khalil 4 – Clearly not match fit after months of inactivity. Should not have started.

SUBS

Barman 6 – Why was a third defensive midfielder needed? Beautiful penalty.

Al Hammadi 7 – Simply should have started. Has been absent even longer than Khalil, yet his energy and drive was far superior.

M. Abdulrahman 6 – Brought on with penalties in mind.