Japan v UAE: Five things we learned

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  • Against the odds: UAE beat Japan.

    UAE’s 2-1 away win in Japan has thrown qualification for the 2018 World Cup wide open, with Samurai Blue previously among the favourites for an automatic qualifying berth.

    After what was a fine away performance, though, it is now UAE who are among the continent’s most feared sides for the remainder of the campaign.

    But what did we learn from the clash? Sport360’s Matt Monaghan examines.

    Ahmed Khalil is man for biggest stage

    The 25-year-old forward has proven repeatedly in the last 18 months he is a go-to man for both club and country.

    A brace in Saudi Arabia also secured victory against the hosts in the 2014 Gulf Cup semi-final, before repeating the trick at Al Ain to put Al Ahli into the 2015 AFC Champions League quarters.

    His pair in Japan were the 12th and 13th in nine 2018 qualifiers for the reigning AFC Asian Player of the Year.

    Defence has to stay settled

    UAE boss Mahdi Ali has developed the habit of repeatedly re-jigging his centre-back options.

    The Al Ain trio of Ismail Ahmed, Mohanad Salem and Mohamed Ahmed (above) have been utilised in different combinations since the 2015 Asian Cup.

    Unsurprisingly, the regular club pairing of Ismail and Salem proved they are the preferable option going forward. Mohamed will always be a superior right-back and inferior centre-back.

    Al Hammadi must be trusted

    Whenever Ali has evaluated the wealth of midfield options available to him, Al Ahli winger Ismail Al Hammadi has repeatedly been cast as the odd-man out.

    The 28-year-old has either been the first man to get substituted, or the one to make way for club-mate Habib Fardan. But his driving ability with the ball both pegged Japan back and earned a penalty.

    On this form, he should stay in the starting XI for Tuesday’s visit of Australia.

    Starring role: Al Hammadi.

    Starring role: Al Hammadi.

    Preparation makes perfect

    Much has been made during the summer about Ali’s stringent demand for time with his troops.

    The 25-man squad first spent a month together in Spain, before taking in a week in Dubai then a final 12 days in Shanghai.

    There was a worry familiarity would breed contempt, but the coach’s actions were proved correct with a perfectly-drilled display.

    In contrast, Japan’s largely European-based team looked disjointed.

    History lessons

    As an avowed student of the game and man with an eye for detail, Ali will be firmly aware of the worth of this win.

    Since the UAE last qualified for the World Cup, 76 per cent of nations who won their first match in the AFC’s final round at least made the tie to reach the inter-confederation play-off.

    Yet, there will be no complacency. A debut win in 1998 got them nowhere. Much work is still left to do.

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