A much-changed and misfiring UAE struck at the death against Lithuania, Abdelaziz Sanqour following in to prevent a limp display against Lithuania turning into defeat.
The Al Ahli right-back was the UAE's brightest spark on a grim night in Austria, gratefully firing high into the goal after Ahmed Khalil’s devilishly swerving free-kick rebounded into his path via 'keeper and post deep into injury-time.
Sanqour’s intervention provided the moment of ignition to Mahdi Ali’s men's preparations for their Gulf Cup title defence, the lush Alpine surrounding of the Sportplatz Matrei Stadium previously failing to inspire a week after their goalless draw in Norway.
The quintuple of returning Al Ain AFC Champions League heroes were meant to strengthen the UAE hand.
Instead, the rusty Mohanad Salem and unusually leaden-footed Ismail Ahmed contrived to lose track of centre forward Deivydas Matulevicius to nod the Eastern Europeans infront with the simplest of headers just before the interval, while Omar Abdulrahman’s self-congratulary display featured plenty of tricks but no end product when it mattered.
The player that lit up the quarter-final legs against Al Ittihad was not present, his slack passes repeatedly finding Lithuanians.
European nations have been picked in recent months to provide sterner opposition ahead of November’s Gulf Cup and January’s Asian Cup assaults.
The programme began three months ago with a predictable loss to Armenia and enlivening victory against Georgia. A draw last night, punctuated by naive defending and wasteful attacking play to a side ranked 38 places below in the FIFA rankings, was not in Ali’s plans.
The manner it was secured, however, evidenced a commendable spirit.
A bobbly pitch with long grass that pinched speed from the passes did not help an off-colour starting forward line-up containing Omar Abdulrahman, Habib Fardan, Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout. The latter pair both wasted chances in a dull first half in which the UAE dominated possession.
Al Jazira’s Mabkhout, in particular, was in errant mood in front of goal, an egregiously poor volley rising as high as the mountaineous backdrop after being gratefully played in by a slack header from Lithuania captain Tadas Kijanskas.
The introduction of Al Ahli’s Ismail Al Hammadi and Majed Hassan at the break brought an improvement in desire as driving rain began to lash down. Al Hammadi was soon denied a goal of real quality, an athletic save forced from a volley after meeting a half-cleared corner with purpose on the edge of the penalty box.
Lithuania caused more problems in the air, substitute striker Simonas Stankevicius glancing wide when unmarked following a swift counter-attack.
The second half was proving as trying as the first until the UAE conjured a rare incisive move, a swift interchange coming to a frustrating conclusion as Al Hammadi mis-hit the final shot after sharp play on the left.
This was a poor game, played out by a UAE side that sunk well below the standard set during their recently ended 20-match unbeaten run. Amer Abdulrahman’s unsightly fracas at the death evidenced the frustration, a booking well deserved for a push to the face.
This was a poor game, played out by a UAE side that sunk well below the standard previously set. In such circumstances, the securing of a commendable draw during the final seconds has great value.
Plenty remains to be played for when the three-week European tour ends on Sunday, a rare match against South American opposition coming as Paraguay head to Austria.
