Thailand 1-1 UAE: Five things we learned from Tuesday's disappointing draw

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  • The UAE snatched a late draw thanks to Ali Mabkhout’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Thailand in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier, but the result has more or less ended the dream of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

    Here are five things we learned from the disappointing draw.

    What did you make of the match?

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    BAUZA SHORTCHANGED BY UAE FA

    The travails of the ‘Golden Generation’ on the path to World Cup 2018 have been both painful and predictable. Before the halfway point of a frustrating second round, it was clear paternal coach Mahdi Ali’s tenure had reached its zenith with third at January 2015’s Asian Cup.

    March’s decision to finally accept a resignation first offered last October came too late to salvage this campaign, with a further delay in naming Edgardo Bauza until early May unacceptable. Swifter and more decisive management is required from the UAE Football Association to avoid embarrassment on home soil at the 2019 Asian Cup.

    UAE MUST LEARN VALUE OF HARD WORK

    With the last two AFC Players of the Year in their ranks and boasting a plethora of footballers with experience of competing in the AFC Champions League final, the UAE should have been expected to dominate proceedings in Thailand.

    This did not occur at Rajamangala National Stadium as the hosts outran their exalted visitors.

    Glaringly, only Al Ain superstar Omar Abdulrahman and Al nasr battler Tariq Ahmed appeared engaged. Forwards Ali Mabkhout (pictured) and Ahmed Khalil did not look match sharp, leaving Amoory regularly exasperated on the ball. No matter the demands of observing Ramadan, this lack of application cannot be tolerated.

    BAUZA HAS TO BE BRAVER

    It would be churlish to write off a coach of Edgardo Bauza’s experience after one dispiriting result. But no-one is above reproach. His UAE team noticeably failed to grasp the mettle or even attempt to force the advantage in a qualifier they simply had to win to have any hope of reaching Russia.

    Many of the players put in shoddy displays, yet tactically they were not helped. Beyond being a man down in the middle, his use of three recognised defensive midfielders was overkill – something predecessor Ali was often chastised for.

    Al Nasr’s Tariq Ahmed could move inside for the inexperienced Ahmed Barman, allowing the former’s emerging namesake from Al Wahda to light up the wing.

    CAN NASSER EVER BE FULLY TRUSTED?

    A continuing issue for Bauza moving forward is who he trusts with the goalkeeper’s gloves. This was not a performance to savour for Al Ahli’s Majed Nasser. Undoubtedly the most talented of the players competing for the No. 1 shirt, questions about his temperament and concentration remain.

    A top-class shot stopper would not have produced the fumble for Thailand’s goal, no matter centre-back Hamdan Al Kamali’s touch. In contrast, Khalid Essa ended the season in tremendous form for Al Ain as he excelled in the AFC Champions League. Jazira’s Ali Khaseif was also much improved during their run to the Arabian Gulf League’s crown.

    FAWZI IS THE RIGHT CHOICE

    Abdelaziz Sanqour’s perplexing hold on the rightback slot continued, despite shaky form for club and country. The Ahli defender again edged out Al Jazira’s Mohammed Fawzi – the man whose stellar form in 2016/17 saw him named in the AGL’s Best XI. But a passing of the baton might have occurred as Sanqour limped off.

    Fawzi’s crossing is not as developed, yet his versatility and footballing brain is matched by few. He offers a steady presence for the late summer’s denouement.

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