Discover the UAE football starlets battling to make their mark at 2018 Asian Games

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  • All pictures (Twitter/@uaefa_ae).

    The latest batch of UAE Under-23s will fight to show they are the nation’s next ‘Golden Generation’ at the 2018 Asian Games, beginning for them on Tuesday.

    Maciej Skorza’s starlets, headlined by Al Jazira defender Mohammed Al Attas and Al Nasr forward Jassem Yaqoub, will step in the footsteps of greats when their Group C-campaign begins at Indonesia’s Jalak Harupat Stadium against Syria. They have endured a riotous build-up, with Friday’s friendly against Malaysia descending into a mass brawl and Al Ain midfielder Mohamed Khalfan Al Harasi being sent home in disgrace.

    Minds must now focus on the task at hand as the remaining prodigies look to enjoy the kind of success experienced by 2010’s cherished silver medallists. After the Syria opener, minnows Timor-Leste follow on Thursday prior to the pool decider against China on Sunday.

    Here, we run through the prospects for the squad who will compete in a U-23 competition that is set to run until September 1.

    ONES TO WATCH

    Hot shot: Forward Ahmed Al Attas.

    Hot shot: Forward Ahmed Al Attas.

    There is real talent to be found in the Olympic Whites’ ranks.

    Versatile defender Mohamed Al Attas looked at ease during last December’s Club World Cup, against even the likes of Real Madrid. Relative Ahmed Al Attas is coming in off both his most-productive Arabian Gulf League-campaign – with six goals – and a tug of war that has taken him to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club from the capital.

    Mohammed Abdulbasit is a fine passer of the ball and a regular in Al Wahda’s centre midfield for the past three seasons. Forward Yaqoub remains a work in progress for Nasr and the UAE seniors, but the talent is unquestionably there.

    Zayed Al Ameri is a burgeoning attacker from Jazira. 2018/19 should be his breakthrough season.

    Skorza, at this stage, appears to have resisted the urge to use any of three over-age spots available to him.

    THE COACH

    Guiding hand: UAE U-23 coach Maciej Skorza (2nd l).

    Guiding hand: UAE U-23 coach Maciej Skorza (2nd l).

    Skorza was selected in March to lead the UAE’s premier youth selection.

    This followed a dreadful few years that saw qualification missed to the Rio 2016 Olympics and 2018 AFC U-23 Championships. Emiratis Dr Abdullah Misfir and Hassan Al Abdoli oversaw those failures.

    Skorza, 46, is a three-time champion coach of both the Polish league and Super Cup, plus guided Ettifaq FC to sixth-place in the 2012/13 Saudi Professional League. His major task is securing entry to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

    The ex-Lech Poznan and Legia Warsaw supremo’s preference for a 4-2-3-1 meshes well with Middle East football’s ubiquitous formation. But recent friendly losses to Saudi Arabia and Malaysia have cranked up the pressure.

    PAST AND PRESENT

    That's Amoory: A 19-year-old Omar Abdulrahman (c) in the 2010 edition's quarter-finals.

    That’s Amoory: A 19-year-old Omar Abdulrahman (c) in the 2010 edition’s quarter-finals.

    2010’s roster now stand as a Who’s Who of UAE greats.

    2016 AFC Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman was the youngest squad member at 19, with 2015 AFC Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil scoring three times along the way to the final. These are now two of Asia’s most-celebrated players.

    Wahda centre-back Hamdan Al Kamali would spend time on loan at Lyon three years later and then Bani Yas centre midfielder Amer Abdulrahman would earn a trial at Blackburn Rovers.

    Scores of future UAE regulars came from this squad. Players who would feature at the London 2012 Olympics and finish third at the 2015 Asian Cup.

    Continuing this production line is the UAE Football Association’s gravest task. The tournament in Indonesia will act as a barometer of their work.

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