Asian Cup 2019: Tactical talk, missing men and VAR feature in UAE v Australia talking points

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  • A hosts v holders contest awaits on Friday when the UAE meet Australia in Asian Cup 2019’s last quarter-final.

    Neither nation has enjoyed a plain run to this point. The biggest upset at the tournament to date came in the opening group matches when the Socceroos were humbled 1-0 by Jordan, while a pair of penalty shootout saves from goalkeeper Mathew Ryan were required to see off Uzbekistan in the round of 16 after a goalless draw.

    For the UAE, they’ve stumbled past weaker opposition. In the previous stage, they twice gave up leads versus tournament-debutants Kyrgyzstan prior to substitute Ahmed Khalil’s extra-time spot-kick securing a 3-2 win.

    Both sides have key personnel missing and plenty to prove, meaning an intriguing tie awaits at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Here are the talking points:

    Zacch’s plan comes to fruition?

    Maybe, this was Zaccheroni’s plan all along.

    Stultifying tactics have been the main feature of the Whites’ play throughout the tournament, even though they are joint-third highest scorers among the quarter-finalists.

    Only in the 1-1 draw with Thailand that closed their commitments in Group A did three recognised defensive-minded midfielders not start.

    Against Kyrgyzstan, Zaccheroni chose to narrow the pitch in a 4-3-2-1 formation. Chances came and went through the unusually wasteful Ali Mabkhout, prior to his redemptive goal and penalty win, but the overall performance in the 3-2 extra-time triumph was a tough watch for the near 18,000 supporters at Zayed Sport City.

    Entertainment, however, is low down the list of priorities from now on. Simply finding a way past the celebrated Socceroos is all that is required.

    The UAE have been here before. Under Mahdi Ali, they wowed four years ago Down Under ahead of a meeting with Javier Aguirre’s hotly fancied champions, Japan, in the last eight.

    A defensive masterclass from the underdogs – allied with some suspect finishing – then saw a memorable upset recorded on the way to a memorable third-placed finish. Australia ended their run in the semis.

    Few will complain about the method if history repeats itself.

    Missing men

    With the competition nearly three weeks old, injuries and suspensions are taking effect.

    For the Socceroos, a soft yellow card for majestic playmaker Tom Rogic against the Uzbeks guarantees a reshuffle. Hertha Berlin winger Mathew Leckie promising first minutes of the tournament after injury also gave Graham Arnold plenty to ponder.

    In response, the head coach cryptically stated he could he “could change the system and play with two strikers, two number nines, we could play with a diamond midfield”.

    In all likelihood the 4-3-3 formation will remain, Queens Park Rangers midfielder Massimo Luongo coming in for the banned Rogic. Leckie’s recovery has put pressure on one-goal-striker Jamie Maclaren’s spot in the starting side.

    Al Jazira centre-back Fares Juma replaced the seriously injured Khalifa Mubarak on Monday for the UAE and will do the same job from the start against the Socceroos. Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club’s Majed Hassan is a seamless replacement for Al Wasl’s suspended anchor man Esmail.

    A more-taxing decision for Zaccheroni is whether to award Khalil’s continued heroics off the bench with a first start in the UAE. This would probably be at the expense of fitful Jazira creator Khalfan Mubarak.

    VAR cry

    The influence of the video-assistant referees will, belatedly, be felt in the quarter-finals.

    Like at World Cup 2018, it will only be used for: goal or no goal, penalty-kicks, red cards and mistaken identity decisions.

    The results of both nations up to this point may have changed if it had been applied earlier.

    In the rollercoaster 3-2 triumph against Syria in Group B, a clear hand ball from Socceroos skipper Mark Milligan in the box went unpunished. Moments later, Omar Al Somah tripped over a fellow Syrian and a spot-kick was erroneously awarded.

    The UAE also required the softest of handball calls against substitute Mohamed Marhoon to salvage an opening 1-1 draw against the Bahrainis, through Khalil’s 88th-minute penalty.

    Either way, there can be few legitimate complaints about the officiating from now on.

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