As auditions for playing a major role go, the UAE's fringe men should be fretting about receiving a call back for next month's Gulf Cup defence.
Coach Mahdi Ali could not be blamed for sticking with his tried and tested men in Saudi Arabia after a three-year undefeated home record was surrendered by a limp 4-0 defeat to Uzbekistan.
Last night's match was the final official fixture prior to the Whites' Group B opener against Oman. The boss understandably took the chance to freshen up his side after Friday's goalless draw with Asian Cup hosts Australia.
Five changes were made to the starting line-up. Not one grabbed the chance to impress.
Uzbekistan, who finished second to the UAE in Asian Cup qualifying, were sharper and smarter. They controlled proceedings at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Al Shabab's Azizbek Haydarov at the heart.
This was not a complete surprise. Crafting a top-level outfit requires fine-tuning and precision engineering.
Change several bits and the whole thing falls apart.
There is a risk of reading too much into the loss at an empty Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. Recent results, with the leading stars in situ, have been impressive.
The issue for Ali now is with depth.
Uzbekistan went ahead just after the half-hour mark. A step back from midfielder Timur Kapadze took him in-between Khamis Esmail and Mohammed Fawzi to glance a header past the reach of Khalid Essa.
Bani Yas midfielder Amer Abdulrahman was the only player trying to make things happen for the UAE. The rest of his team-mates were stuck in first gear.
Indeed, it took until the 43rd minute for Eldorbek Suynov to be forced into action. A smart turn from Ali Mabkhout forced a free-kick which strike partner Ahmed Khalil saw tipped over the crossbar.
The game was soon put beyond the listless hosts in first-half injury-time. A rapid counter-attack ended with the unfortunate Mohammed Ahmed sliding into his own goal as Sanjar Tursunov waited to pounce.
The cavalry was called for at the break. But Habib Fardan, Saeed Al Kathiri and Abdelaziz Sanqour could not help.
Minutes after fluffing a one-on-one, visiting skipper Server Djeparov was not so kind on 68 minutes.
The attacking midfielder tapped in a rebound after Tursunov's low shot was blocked by the retreating Sanqour, an uncharacteristically porous defence letting their opponents slice through with abandon.
The UAE did not completely give up the ghost. Replacement Mohamed Abdulrahman again impressed, his perfect looped ball being wasted by Ismail Al Hammadi on the stretch when a consolation seemed likely.
Uzbekistan saved the best until last against thoroughly-demoralised hosts. Substitute Navruz Olimov's 25-yard drive was a thing of beauty, leaving stand-in goalkeeper Essa no chance.
Ali would have hoped to leave the double-header in Abu Dhabi with a squad energised by competition. There now seems little choice but to go with his battle-hardened favourites.
