The hunt for goals continues in vain for the UAE, their Gulf Cup title defence beginning with an uninspired scoreless draw against Oman on Friday night.
Mahdi Ali's men have lost their edge up front in recent months and this was again on show in Riyadh during a performance in which only winger Ismail Al Hammadi repeatedly threatened.
The Whites resemble an unfinished puzzle at the moment. All the parts are there for a fantastic side, but the assembly is lacking.
The main issue remains the disconnect between Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout up front. There is no chemistry between the pair, with the uncomfortable selection of two strikers robbing the UAE of an extra man in midfield – an area in which they boast outstanding talent.
Rather than being able to play around their opponents, there is panic to find one of the two front men instantly.
The UAE have become a painful watch. This draw joined the ones against Norway, Lithuania, Paraguay and Australia in being uninspired, the 4-0 thrashing last month of a weakened side by Uzbekistan unsightly.
A repeated loss of possession again denied the Whites the opportunity to impose their superior skill last night, Khamis Esmail and Abdelaziz Haikal particularly guilty.
Discounting last week's unofficial friendly with Lebanon in which Khalil struck a hat-trick, just one goal has been scored in the last five official friendlies.
Not good enough for a nation with aspirations of becoming the first to hold onto the Gulf Cup since Saudi Arabia's double success in 2002 and 2003.
Oman came into the Gulf Cup in rebellion, coach Paul Le Guen heckled and booed during a spell in which his side have lost three of their preceding five fixtures.
The UAE were unable to prey on this discontent.
Hope of a turnaround in Monday's next Group A fixture against Kuwait comes in the shape of Omar Abdulrahman.
Flickers of the superstar that dominated the glorious 2013 edition in Bahrain were on show during the playmaker's first competitive appearance since September 30.
Elsewhere, not even a nomination for the prestigious AFC Player of the Year 2014 award could save centre-back Ismail Ahmed from the chop at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
Ali's men started in a stupor that they were unable to shake. A first chance came through Al Hammadi, who forced a strong save from Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Ali Al Habsi after a one-two with Haikal on the edge of the box.
Mabkhout then had the ball stolen off his toe when he was ready to pull the trigger by full-back Mohammed Al Musalami. A jolt to the system should have come when Oman striker Mohammed Al Siyabi glaringly sidefooted over soon after.
The sleepwalk stretched into the second half. Qasim Hardan had the ball in the net for Le Guen's men from a header, only for the referee to blow for a push on Haikal.
Al Hammadi then forced Al Habsi into another outstanding save, his curled effort pushed away at full stretch.
The late introductions of veteran forward Ismail Matar and centre midfielder Habib Fardan added much needed structure, though no breakthrough as few chances followed before the final whistle.
The UAE laid down a marker in their 2013 opener, an impressive 3-1 win against regional giants Qatar providing a springboard to silverware. Ali must hope this opening result is not another sign of things to come.
