UAE 1-0 Myanmar: Al Akbari shows pedigree in friendly

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Mohamed Al Akbari's goal was enough for the UAE.

    The UAE gained fresh notice of a player who could be of ever-increasing importance to their 2018 World Cup hopes as youngster Mohamed Al Akbari opened his international account to secure a narrow 1-0 win against Myanmar.

    A steamy and draining night in Abu Dhabi saw the 19-year-old striker calmly slot home the only goal from an inventive Mohamed Abdulrahman pass in first-half injury-time to deliver on the vast promise shown throughout his burgeoning career.

    As his more-experienced Whites team-mates made hard work of a low-key friendly match against opponents ranked 92 places below them by FIFA, the Al Wahda starlet acted as constant inspiration. He could even have got a pair in just his second appearance, later striking the woodwork from a sumptuous looped pass from the more-famous Abdulrahman brother – Omar.

    Al Ahli regular Ahmed Khalil is sure to take his place in the starting line-up when the competitive AFC second round qualifying action restarts at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday with the visit of Malaysia. But by the time the UAE are playing World Cup intercontinental play-offs or even the actual tournament in Russia, Al Akbari should be performing a leading role.

    The stifling humidity and low-intensity nature ensured only a fraction of the cavernous Zayed Sports City venue was filled for the first home fixture since January’s third-placed Asian Cup finish, mostly by passionate Myanmar supporters who screeched at every foray forward by their lively heroes.

    Whites boss Mahdi Ali did not shuffle his pack too much, when taking into account the absence of Ahli’s AFC Champions League stars and close proximity to their next match across town at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

    The unfamiliar faces behind Al Akbari were found at left-back with Al Ain youngster Saeed Al Menhali and sharp Al Shabab defensive midfielder Hassan Ibrahim, a representative at the tournament Down Under who missed June’s opening qualifying 1-0 victory against Timor-Leste.

    Thoughts of the impending competitive double header against Malaysia and Palestine as well as the rigours of the Arabian Gulf League’s recent start put the brakes on the Whites from kick off.

    The start of a frustrating night for Asian Cup top scorer Ali Mabkhout began a quarter of an hour in, failing to lob Kyaw Zin Phyo when played in by new strike partner Al Akbari.

    – Duerden: Malaysian malaise makes UAE firm favourites
    Who are UAE's World Cup opponents Timor Leste? 
    Taha Ismail: Politics, power and coaching Saudi Arabia

    Worse was to follow soon after, a typically-brilliant Omar Abdulrahman throughball not being met by the requisite finish as the Al Jazira man’s low effort was palmed away when in the clear.

    It was anything but one-way traffic, at this stage. Attacking midfielder Nay Lin Thun had already failed to head home an excellent free-kick by the time Thiha Zaw wasted the chance of the half for the lowly visitors as he shot straight at Khalid Essa when played through.

    UAE take on Malaysia next week in World Cup qualifying.

    A disappointing goalless opening period was then avoided in injury time, Al Akbari confidently finishing low into the bottom corner after an outrageous outside-of-the-boot pass by Mohamed Abdulrahman put him into the clear.

    The Wahda youngster was at the centre of the brightest moment after the interval, showing confidence to volley first time against the post from an angle when picked out by Omar Abdulrahman.

    A raft of substitutions from both sides slowed an already one-paced meeting further, little more excitement following.

    There was time for Mabkhout to waste another chance when his mis-control took him past the goalkeeper into a pack of defenders, before an embarrassing draw was avoided late on as replacement Suan Lam Mang’s delightful run ended with an awful cut back.

    Recommended