Sharjah takeover of UAE squad amid great flux and other talking points ahead of Saudi Arabia test

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  • (Pro League Committee).

    The managerless UAE regroup on Monday amid a state of limbo and festering sense of disappointment after their dismal end to Asian Cup 2019.

    January’s heavy semi-final defeat on home soil ensured the miserly Alberto Zaccheroni’s reign would not be continued. His assistant, Saleem Abdulrahman, has been charged with overseeing a much-changed 25-man squad that will meet an under-strength Saudi Arabia and Syria in Abu Dhabi.

    Here are the talking points:

    WHERE THE WHITES ARE AT

    March’s international break has come at an awkward moment.

    The UAE are without a permanent manager, although negotiations with ex-Netherlands and Saudi boss Bert van Marwijk, among others, are ongoing.

    Thoughts of immediately bringing through a fresh generation ahead of the World Cup 2022 cycle are hampered by the juniors’ commitments this month for 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification.

    A sizable contingent from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club and Al Wahda have also been excused selection because of Friday’s Arabian Gulf Cup final.

    Expect vast changes before the lengthy AFC process for global qualifying begins in September. This doesn’t mean, however, the current roster isn’t without intrigue.

    KING TAKE THE THRONE

    Changing times in the Arabian Gulf League are reflected in Abdulrahman’s roster.

    Runaway leaders Sharjah only boasted left-back Alhasan Saleh and winger Saif Rashid for the Asian Cup. They’ve now been joined by defenders Abdullah Ghanem and Shahin Abdulrahman, plus goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani.

    Al Ain have provided around a third of the selection since the ‘Golden Generation’ arose for London 2012. A combination of injury, increasing age and loss of form has cut their number to four.

    The Whites have probably seen the last of servants such as veteran centre-back Ismail Ahmed and centre midfielder Amer Abdulrahman.

    WHO’LL GET THE GOALS?

    The UAE’s varied goal threat was once the envy of Asia.

    Now, Al Jazira predator Ali Mabkhout’s 48 strikes in 78 internationals represents 76.2 per cent of the total goals in this month’s roster. Injury and AG Cup commitments have denied them Omar Abdulrahman and Ahmed Khalil, but these are also two diminished figures.

    Succession planning is an issue. Al Nasr’s recalled Salem Saleh is the only other recognised striker and he’s scoreless in seven AGL run-outs, all as a replacement, this term.

    UAE SQUAD

    Khalid Essa, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Ahmed Barman, Rayan Yaslam (Al Ain); Fahad Al Dhanhani, Hassan Al Moharrami, Suhail Al Noubi (Bani Yas); Suhail Al Mansoori (Al Dhafra); Mohammed Khalfan (Fujairah); Mansoor Abbas (Ittihad Kalba); Salem Rashid, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, (Al Jazira); Mubarak Saeed, Mohammed Ibrahim, Habib Fardan, Salem Saleh (Al Nasr); Abdullah Al Naqbi (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club); Adel Al Hosani, Abdullah Ghanem, Shahin Abdulrahman, Al Hasan Saleh, Saif Rashid, (Sharjah); Ali Salmeen, Khamis Esmail (Al Wasl)

    FIXTURES

    Thursday, March 21

    17:45 UAE v Saudi Arabia

    Tuesday, March 26

    17:45 UAE v Syria

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