There were few positives for United Arab Emirates after their 3-0 loss to South Korea in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. They can be grateful it wasn’t worse and, at the very least, if there was any over-confidence following a successful Asian Cup campaign, there won’t be any more. What is certain, is there have to be improvements before Tuesday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier with Timor-Leste.
– Zabaleta: Argentina defender talks Messi and Copa America
– Copa America: Chile open tournament with convincing 2-0 win
– UAE: Mahdi Ali’s men slump to poor 3-0 defeat at hands of Korea
– Copa America: Team-by-team guide to this year’s competition
The South Korean media painted Mahdi Ali’s men as the best in West Asia prior to this World Cup qualification warm-up but were left surprised at the lack of fight, cohesion and organisation on offer. It was a tepid display only partly excused by the fact that this was the side’s first game since January.
Korea were below strength. There were headaches for coach Uli Stielike who, like the rest of the travelling party, left Seoul and arrived in Kuala Lumpur wearing masks due to the recent outbreak of the MERS virus in the Land of the Morning Calm. More common ailments have robbed the boss of some of his players. Injuries to Kim Kee-hee and Lim Chae-min have left the German short of centre-halves, while attacker Kang Soo-il, so eager to make his debut, was pulled just before kick off after failing a drugs test. The 27-year-old claimed the substance was from his moustache-growing cream.
Ki Sung-yeung was also missing through injury and his absence gave Omar Abdulrahman the chance to stake his claim as the region’s best midfielder. However, the Al Ain playmaker did little of note, though he was far from the only one.
The Korea captain was in Asia undergoing knee surgery and, after being named Swansea City’s player of the season, has been reportedly attracting the interest of Arsenal.
Ki is central to how Korea go about business. Cool, cultured and seemingly unable to give the ball away, he grows in stature every season and a big move this summer is a genuine possibility. There is confidence that Myanmar can be overcome on Tuesday without the classy ex-Celtic man and on this evidence, they will be.
OMAR ABDULRAHMAN عمر عبدالرحمن | Goals, Skills, Assists | Al Ain | 2014/2015 (HD) http://t.co/Q8JrvhqVK5
— Suhail Adel (@AdelSuhail) June 9, 2015
It was a shame Ki couldn’t line up opposite Omar Abdulrahman. The Gwangju-born star provides a good example for the UAE maestro. Playing in one of the best leagues in the world has helped turn Ki into a top-class performer and he is now being recognised as such.
If Abdulrahman is wise he will follow in the classy footsteps of the FC Seoul man. The two were perhaps the best performers at the Asian Cup and, at the time, the UAE star was the toast of Asia in Australia as his glossy displays captured the imagination of the general public. The media waxed lyrical about him also and articles were written around the world about just how good this UAE star was and how good he could become. Inevitably, they also asked where in Europe he will go and when he will do so; was it Spain, England or perhaps Germany? Instead, he signed a new contract with Al Ain.
There is real danger that Omar could be forgotten by the wider world. Playing for Al Ain doesn’t quite cut it for a player regarded as one of the most talented this continent’s generation. If the UAE do not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and that is definitely a possibility, the midfielder will fade further from the collective global consciousness.
There is real benefit to doing what Ki did. Going to a big league, taking time to adapt if necessary and finding the right club to prived him with the platform to show what he can do. Ki certainly had to find his feet in the Premier League and he is much better off for being allowed time to settle. His first season at Swansea was nothing to write home about and a loan move to Sunderland in his second season followed. This was the making of the midfielder and the Korean played a big part in helping the side stay in the Premier League. On his return to South Wales, Ki has excelled and eight goals last year is a fine return.
Injury may have kept Ki out of the action in Kuala Lumpur but if his example can show Omar Abdulrahman the way, there will be one positive for the UAE to take from an otherwise dismal run-out.
