Abdulrahman – long linked with a move to Europe – sparkled against second-string opposition. The Al Ain superstar found Al Ahli winger Ismail Al Hammadi with a deep ball to level, before his second-half free-kick led to Al Jazira forward Ali Mabkhout’s wonderful volleyed winner.
A sterner test of their credentials will come when their AFC second-round campaign ends with the tricky visits of Palestine on March 24 and Saudi Arabia on March 29. For them to continue walking the long road to the tournament in Russia, the 24-year-old will have to be just as influential.
The portents were not positive at the start for the Whites against a side minus 15 of the players who last featured in November’s 3-1 friendly win against Slovakia, because the fixture did not fall in a designated FIFA international week.
Iceland striker Vidar Orn Kjartansson nodded against the crossbar within two minutes from full-back Kristinn Jonsson’s corner as the visitors – fresh from Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph against Finland in Abu Dhabi – began the brighter.
There was to be no reprieve soon after as the Jiangsu Sainty target man connected sweetly with right-back Andres Mar Johannesson’s perfect centre, beating recalled Al Ahli goalkeeper Majed Nasser at his near post from a header.
A dispiriting result ahead of the defining fixtures to come seemed a certainty at this point. Instead, the UAE – typically inspired by splendid playmaker Omar Abdulrahman – burst into life.
Club-mate Mohanad Salem forced a good save from goalkeeper Ingvar Jonsson with a header from an accurate outswinging corner. Little then seemed on as 2015 AFC Player of the Year and skipper for the night Ahmed Khalil stood over a free-kick from 30 yards, but only the woodwork prevented an eye-catching equaliser.
The momentum was with Mahdi Ali’s men and they cashed in on 25 minutes.
Omar Abdulrahman was given too much space on the halfway line, an inch-perfect assist sending Al Hammadi clear to round Sandnes Ulf’s Jonsson and level.
Even better followed from Abdulrahman before the break. An insouciant pass sent left-back Mohammed Fayez into the clear, his cut back being headed narrowly wide by Khalil.
This attacking fluency had been absent during November’s trying 2-1 qualifying victory at lowly Malaysia. It will need to be replicated against the Palestinians and Saudi Arabians.
Omar Abdulrahman buzzed about, while Bani Yas centre midfielder Amer Abdulrahman – no relation – kept the team driving on.
With the wind in their sails, the Whites went ahead on 48 minutes.
Mabkhout had previously flattered to deceive. Yet his snapped volley was delightfully dispatched as a deep Omar Abdulrahman free-kick was headed weakly into his path by Kristinn Jonsson.
Experimentation had already begun for both sides by the time the host’s second went in. Included in this was a gentle re-introduction to international football for temperamental Al Wahda centre-back Hamdan Al Kamali after a year in the wilderness, while Al Dhafra forward Ahmed Ali provided a lively presence.
Substitutions were now far more plentiful than chances, Mabkhout too lackadaisical when played clean through by another Omar Abdulrahman pass on 69 minutes in the only remaining moment of note.
