With Alberto Zaccheroni’s opening pair of UAE matches now completed, a review will be under way to decide which players impressed and who are fighting for their future.
Here, Sport360° picks out two who shone and two who’ll be worried about their status moving forward after the 1-0 loss to Haiti and 1-0 triumph against Uzbekistan during this international break.
WINNERS
AMER ABDULRAHMAN
Minutes played: 180
Ennui caused by years of bad injuries and poor form is over. Midfielder’s positive play and aggressive tackling is key to 3-4-3 working, moving forward.
Value was shown by fact he started and completed both games.
Amer Abdulrahman (r).
JASSEM YAQOUB
Minutes played: 132
The first two UAE run-outs for the emerging Al Nasr forward went swimmingly. Ability to play across front line makes him an asset.
His task now is to ensure he is pushing for a starting spot when January 2019’s Asian Cup rolls around.
Jassem Yaqoub (r).
LOSERS
ABDULAZIZ SANQOUR
Minutes played: Zero
Days of holding right-back slot no matter fluctuating club form, thankfully, appear over.
Was called up, but deservedly played no minutes. Al Jazira’s Mohammed Fawzi has waited years to receive the faith shown in him by Zaccheroni.
Abdulaziz Sanqour (Getty).
AHMED AL ATTAS
Minutes played: 46
The injuries for Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout handed the young forward chances he simply failed to grasp, despite enthusiasm.
Showed difficulty faced by many footballers when they step-up from Under-21 level, where he has scored freely for the junior Whites.
Ahmed Al Attas (c).
