Hosts UAE have already made Asian Cup 2019’s knockouts. Now has come the time to complete their job against Thailand and top Group A.
India were brushed aside 2-0 last Thursday at Zayed Sports City, in a match that was closer than the scoreline suggests. This followed a 1-1 opening draw with Bahrain.
Monday’s opponents Thailand will have their eye on second spot after caretaker coach Sirisak Yodyardthai beat Bahrain 1-0. This followed the 4-1 humiliation at India’s hands that cost Milovan Rajevac his job.
Here are the talking points ahead of the meeting at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium:
PROGRESSIVE POLICIES
Optimism was at a low ebb for the hosts coming into the tournament. Troubling results, allied with a lack of goals, meant that enthusiasm was tempered.
But victory against India represented an improvement – somewhat – in performance and certainly in the result. These steady steps are all part of the process for coach Alberto Zaccheroni – and he should know after winning the 2011 edition with Japan.
“First of all we are so happy that we won the last match and nearly qualified for the last 16,” said the 65-year-old. “But our focus will be on achieving the top spot and qualifying without looking or considering the result of the other match.
“In terms of performance the team is progressing, and I hope the development of the performance will progress further and in the coming match you’ll see something else.”
Sticking to this plan is worth the effort against the Thais. First place would represent validation, if not a noticeably easier route through to the deep end.
الأبيض يواجه تايلاند بطموح الحفاظ على الصدارة
— UAE NT (@uaent2019) January 13, 2019
التفاصيل 👇https://t.co/XwvUHlkV2a#عيال_زايد_قدها #منصور_يالأبيض #كأس_آسيا2019#الإمارات_تايلاند pic.twitter.com/M8aEQCfjQz
THE KHALFAN DILEMMA
From the moment 2015 AFC Player of the Year and creative heartbeat Omar Abdulrahman went down with a serious knee injury in October, Khalfan Mubarak became a figure of extraordinary importance for the UAE.
Zaccheroni’s 4-3-2-1 formation has been crafted with the Arabian Gulf League assist king in mind. Just like his team-mates, a disappointing opener against Bahrain was forgotten against India – and for Mubarak, a staggering solo goal was the highlight.
This is why the facial injury sustained in the second half against the Blue Tigers is such a problem. Extensive bleeding from the nose and his hooking on 85 minutes exemplified its severity.
But the 23-year-old trained at the Hazza on Sunday and should be available. But would a rest be advised, ahead of the round of 16?
With no like-for-like replacement in his squad, a big call awaits Zaccheroni.
بعد قليل المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بمدرب منتخبنا الوطني السيد ألبيرتو زاكيروني و اللاعب إسماعيل أحمد للحديث عن لقاء الغد#منصور_يالأبيض #قدام_يالأبيض #عيال_زايد_قدها #كأس_آسيا2019#الإمارات_تايلاند pic.twitter.com/aMiIbT8Dxe
— UAE NT (@uaent2019) January 13, 2019
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE THAIS
Several years of steady progress have threatened to come to a halt for the War Elephants.
They went within seconds of beating the UAE in World Cup 2018 qualifying, the 1-1 draw in Bangkok during June 2017 effectively killing Whites hoping of qualifying. Since then, diminutive playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin has also become a star in Japan.
But Rajevac’s dour nature put the handbrake on their advancement. Semi-final defeat in the winter’s AFF Suzuki Cup was a harbinger of what was to come in the UAE.
The talent, however, remains in the ranks. Caretaker Yodyardthai’s five-man defence sparked an upturn against Bahrain and he’ll now hope to stun the hosts.
