UAE up against it at 2018 Asian Games after they lose to Syria as Group C kicks off

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  • (Twitter/@uaefa_ae).

    The UAE’s worrying struggles at Under-23 level have continued after they suffered a 1-0 reversal to Syria during their 2018 Asian Games opener.

    Maciej Skorza’s troops travelled to Indonesia holding hopes they can become the nation’s next ‘Golden Generation’. But a repeat of 2010’s run to the silver medal seems far beyond the current batch.

    Few chances were created by them and they deservedly went behind just after the interval in this Group C kick-off. Lone Syria centre forward Abd Al Rahman Barakat rose above Al Wahda centre-back Salem Sultan, club-mate Mohamed Al Shamsi showing flimsy fingertips in goal to let a header through his grasp.

    An inadequate response followed. If the failures to make the Rio 2016 Olympics and 2018 AFC U-23 Championship are not to be repeated, victory is now a necessity against minnows Timor-Leste on Thursday.

    Where the likes of paternal coach Mahdi Ali plus future AFC Players of the Year Omar Abdulrahman and Ahmed Khalil shone eight years ago in China, only disappointment and frustration was witnessed on Tuesday at Indonesia’s deserted Jalak Harupat Stadium.

    A Junior Whites attack led by Dinamo Zagreb loanee Ali Eid and Al Nasr’s Jassem Yaqoub struggled to create any chances of note. The only time this pair sparked was when the former followed in the latter’s set-up, but a flag was correctly raised for offside.

    Highly rated Al Jazira prospect Mohammed Al Attas also failed to exert the expected authority in midfield. He was hooked soon after the hour mark in Soreang.

    Al Shamsi had been required early doors to deny Barakat one-on-one after Sultan’s embarrassing slip. Winger Mahmood Al Baher also screwed wide when well positioned.

    The killer blow would come on 53 minutes, thanks to left-back Khaled Kurdaghli’s fine cross.

    Skorza must now inspire a recovery. Another defeat is not an option.

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