#360view: No rest for UAE ahead of Asian Cup

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  • Going again: The UAE must prepare for the Asian Cup so soon after disappointment in Riyadh.

    Sunday’s Gulf Cup semi-final loss for the UAE was an exhibition in agony. Two goals down after 22 minutes, playmaker

    Omar Abdulrahman injured and a breathtaking comeback amounting to nothing moments after parity had been secured.

    – #Quiz360: Win a session in an F1 simulator

    – Mahdi Ali switches focus to Asian Cup
    – Omar injury not seen as serious

    What’s worrying for coach Mahdi Ali is that the discomfort looks set to continue. On the evidence of the last fortnight in Riyadh, all signs point to an even more difficult time at the Asian Cup in January. Circumstance and scheduling, rather than matters on the pitch, are to blame.

    The upward curve enjoyed by the UAE seemed poised to reach its apex Down Under. A side buoyed by prodigal talent, their understanding honed alongside throughout various age groups. 

    The wheels have slowly started to come off in recent months.

    Watching the Whites first hand in the Saudi capital, you could not miss their skill and understanding. What has been gradually eroded has been the magic that characterised the London 2012 Olympic campaign and victory at the 2013 Gulf Cup.

    Inspiration requires energy to reach fruition. Drained players cannot be expected to excel.

    The six matches prior to Khaleej 22 contained only one victory, a 3-2 success against Lebanon in an unofficial friendly.

    No tangible improvement came in Saudi Arabia. Highlights were in the opening 30 minutes of the 2-2 Group B draw with Kuwait, as well as the second-half against the hosts when Ahmed Khalil claimed an unforeseen brace.

    Otherwise, the fare has been limited. Ali Mabkhout magic and a defensive error secured a 2-0 victory against a crestfallen Iraq,
    while the goalless opener with Oman was turgid.

    Tired legs and mind are to blame.

    The vast majority of the 23- man squad taken to the Kingdom embarked on a pair of lengthy European tours during the summer.

    The June double-header in Switzerland which saw defeat to Armenia and victory against Georgia came straight on the back of the 2013/14 Arabian Gulf League.

    Three weeks prior to the current season were taken up by a training camp featuring three draws against Norway, Lithuania and Paraguay.

    Either side of this, eight members of the current selection took part in Al Ain’s AFC Champions League quarter-final and semifinals with Al Ittihad and Al Hilal.

    Rather than mix up the squad, the best-available players travelled. The only visible experimentation came in October’s 4-0 friendly loss to Uzbekistan, days after a full-strength team drew 0-0 with Australia.

    This damaging misuse of resources was exacerbated by something outside of Ali’s control. The decision to piggyback the Gulf
    and Asian Cups has placed incredible strain on the domestic scene.

    Eight rounds of the AGL had to be crammed in prior to the former, with five rounds in less than a month to come before the latter.

    Clubs pay the players’ wages and they will rightly demand maximum commitment prior to heading off to Australia in late December.

    Appropriate rest and recuperation are impossible.

    All teams go through slumps during their developmental cycle. And with an average age cited at 24 by Ali, there should be more to come.

    The frustration comes from the fact this low point seemed avoidable. A herculean effort is required to avoid disappointment Down
    Under.

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