The recall of Al Jazira left-back Abdullah Mousa was one of few surprises in the squad selected on Tuesday by the UAE for next month’s vital 2018 World Cup qualifier in Saudi Arabia.
Mousa, 28, has not featured for his nation since their 2013 Gulf Cup-triumph. He was joined by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ahmed Dida as the only shock names chosen in the 23-man roster by coach Mahdi Ali.
Pride of Abu Dhabi defensive midfielder Khamis Esmail will miss the match on October 8 at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City through injury.
The Whites will head to Qatar's capital Doha on Monday for a training camp until October 6.
They currently top Group A in the second round of Asian Football Confederation qualifiers ahead of their impending hosts, whose last match was abandoned while leading in Malaysia because of a serious crowd disturbance.
UAE squad to face Saudi Arabia:
Abdulaziz Sanqour, Walid Abbas, Majid Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi, Habib Fardan, Ahmed Dida, Ahmed Khalil (Al Ahli); Ismail Ahmed, Mohammed Fawzi, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohamed Abdulrahman, Rashed Essa, Mohanad Salem, Mohamed Ahmed, Khalid Essa (Al Ain); Fares Juma, Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Ahmed Al Attas, Abdullah Mousa (Al Jazira); Mohammad Al Akbari (Al Wahda); Amer Abdulrahman (Bani Yas); Hassan Ibrahim (Al Shabab)