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India will lock horns with UAE in their second Group A match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup on 10th January at 9:30 p.m. IST at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Dubai. Although the hosts are below us in the points table, the Blue Tigers shouldn't make the mistake of underestimating their opponents.
Moreover, UAE is ranked higher than India and are the favourites to top the group. The draw against Bahrain in the curtain-opener has opened up the group, but the hosts can reclaim their throne at the top of the table if they put up a clinical performance and win the match.
Even though UAE will be without their midfield lynchpin Omar Abdulrahman, India will have to be wary about these five players as they can change the complexion of the game with a single deft touch.
#5 Ismaeil Matar
Apart from Ahmed Khalil, another UAE player who missed out on the starting line-up was Ismael Matar. Unlike the former name, Ismael didn't even make an appearance off the bench as the coach failed to acknowledge the influence UAE's most capped international player can bring into the match.
However, now that Alberto Zaccheroni has paid the price in the form of dropping points against their Gulf neighbours, Ismael Matar is expected to start the game against India.
The 35-year-old veteran has been capped 123 times, scoring 42 goals in the process. This Thursday, he can earn his 124th cap either coming off from the bench or starting ahead of the misfiring Ismail Hammadi. Either case, the Indian back-four should be wary of him as he can slot in at the center, left, and right side of the attacking pitch.
#2 Bandar Al Ahbabi
Bandar Al Ahbabi was the only uncapped UAE player called out by Alberto Zaccheroni for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The right-back was the most promising defender for the Gulf nation as the others looked off-colour.
While it is the role of the midfielders to distribute the ball to the forwards, the UAE midfielders failed to live up to the task. However, Bandar didn't disappoint as he distributed the ball wonderfully on the right flank towards Ali Mabkhout. His blistering pace was also difficult for the Bahraini left-back Ahmed Juma to contain.
Once the substitutes arrived, his role in the attacking front comparatively reduced as he began to show signs of fatigue. Even if we exclude his attacking contribution, Bandar was the best among the defenders. Bandar made 4 clearances, 1 interception, and recovered the ball from the rivals twice. He even didn't concede a single foul and lost only one tackle.
#3 Saif Rashid
In the 54th minute, coach Alberto Zaccheroni brought in a double change by bringing off Amer Abdulrahaman and Khaflan Mubarak and bringing in Amer Abdulrahman and Saif Rashid. While the namesake Abdulrahman was ineffective, Rashid reposed the coach's faith.
Zaccheroni knew that the Bahraini left-back Ahmed Juma was finding it tough to contain Bandar Mohammed's pace on the right wing. Saif Rashid was introduced as Bandar grew tired in the second half and to continue disturbing him.
He lobbed in a couple of dangerous crosses but the strikers failed to connect. He even got his moment of glory in the 85th minute when Ismail Al Hammadi fed him but, his shot was straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
This was Rashid's second appearance in UAE colours who already scored a goal against Yemen in the November international friendly. The Al-Sharjah SCC player could start or make an appearance off the bench again. In either case, Subhasish Bose needs to be wary about him.
#2 Ali Mabkhout
In the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Ali Mabkhout finished as the top scorer of the tournament with five goals from five matches. The same, if not better form was expected from the 28-year-old who failed to score in the match against Bahrain.
However, much of that can be attributed to the fact that he wasn't getting the supply from the midfielders. He was forced to play a line behind and make, rather, scoring opportunities for Ismael Al Hammadi. Needless to say, the 30-year-played disastrously in a position he is not familiar with.
However, with Ahmed Khalil expected to start against India up front and Al Hammadi dropping back in the midfield, things can change for the Gulf nation. Ali Mabkhout would be dangerous both as a provider and a finisher for UAE in their next match.
#1 Ahmed Khalil
The UAE fans were shocked when the starting lineup had been announced as their leading goalscorer in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers' name wasn't included in the list. The forward line of Khamis Esmaeel, Ali Mabkhout, and Ismail Al-Hammadi failed to create as many chances it was expected from them.
Already 99 caps old, Ahmed Khalil made his hundredth appearance off the bench and took a free kick which UAE got the instant he had come on. Although he couldn't score from that set piece, he equalized seven minutes later through a spot-kick.
Alberto Zaccheroni made a huge mistake by making the 27-year-old sit on the bench. The Italian won't repeat the same mistake and, Khalil would be hungry to score more goals for his country.
What other players do you think the Indian team should watch out for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
