De Lima, Matar and Mabkhout: key issues facing UAE ahead of vital World Cup qualifiers


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE, currently fourth in Group A, look to get their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track this week, with a tricky test away to second-placed South Korea. Winless from four matches thus far, Bert van Marwijk’s men need a positive result in Goyang before they travel to take on Lebanon five days later.

Finding replacement for De Lima

The confirmation came on Tuesday, a sizeable blow to the UAE’s bid to breathe life into their campaign. A hamstring injury has forced Fabio De Lima out of the double-header, reducing considerably the national team’s attacking thrust.

The Al Wasl forward has not been at his best during the past four matches, when fitness issues hampered his output. It hurts more, then, that the UAE have struggled to score – they have three goals in four fixtures. And midfield options have been ravaged: Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad and Khalfan Mubarak are injured, robbing the UAE of experience, running and guile.

Some relief can be found in Ali Salmeen’s return, but filling the creative void is crucial. Ismail Matar, or club colleague Tahnoon Al Zaabi, could come in.

Matar’s leadership may prove vital

Ismail Matar’s inclusion was undoubtedly the greatest surprise upon the squad announcement. At 38, the veteran forward hasn't played for the UAE since the beginning of 2019 – the Asian Cup semi-final – and hasn't featured in Bert van Marwijk’s plans since he first took the reins two months later.

There had long been cries for Matar to be reintroduced to the national set-up, but they had quietened as Van Marwijk’s young side advanced from the second round. So, it is interesting to see what role he will play.

Matar has scored once in nine Adnoc Pro League matches, but remains an incredibly influential presence among his peers. Having him around the squad should be viewed a bonus, even if his impact on the pitch is limited.

Mabkhout must rediscover form

It has quickly become a common theme: when Ali Mabkhout misfires, the UAE struggle. The country’s all-time leading goalscorer has been uncharacteristically wayward in four matches thus far, finding the net just twice (his last-gasp effort against Iraq did salvage a point).

Against Lebanon and Syria, Mabkhout spurned a number of opportunities that should have fired the UAE to victory. He was off-colour again last time out, to such an extent that supporters called repeatedly for him to be replaced by Sebastian Tagliabue.

To be fair, the lack of game time for the Al Nasr striker is one of the principal complaints justifiably aimed at Van Marwijk. Still, an on-form Mabkhout is the UAE’s most potent weapon. Put simply, he must start converting chances.

Van Marwijk needs an uptick too

Last month’s defeat to Iran and draw with Iraq, both coming at home, cranked up the pressure on Van Marwijk. Against Iraq, a large section of the Zabeel Stadium chorused their disapproval, with some even waiting outside afterwards to call for the manager to leave.

Since, though, the Football Association reiterated their backing for the manager, which was refreshing (there have been significant improvements under Van Marwijk, albeit three points from four qualifiers remains hugely disappointing).

Chief among the criticism levelled at the Dutchman is his propensity to leave substitutions too late in games. Clearly, he needs to turn around the team’s fortunes. And, just maybe, he requires a positive result as much as his side.

Stopping Son

South Korea have not wholly convinced – they have two wins and two draws thus far - but for sure they represent a serious test. In Son, they possess Asia’s standout star, the Tottenham Hotspur attacker scoring a late winner last month against Syria, and then the opener in the 1-1 draw in Iran. With Kim Gun-hee struggling and Hwang Ui-jo out through injury, Son’s importance is even greater.

Meanwhile, Hwang Hee-chan has been in sparkling form for new club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Thwarting Son and Co is not made any easier with defenders Shaheen Abdulrahman, Khalifa Al Hammadi and Mahmoud Khamis all injured.

The cold weather – on Monday it dropped to 5C around kick-off time – and the return of fans makes the UAE’s task even more difficult.

How it works

1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground

2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water

3) One application is said to last five years

4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

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VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

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Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

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UAE squad

Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.

The specs

Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric

Transmission: n/a

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 659Nm

Price estimate: Dh200,000

On sale: Q3 2022 

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Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers

Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised

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Company profile

Name: Fruitful Day

Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2015

Number of employees: 30

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Copa del Rey

Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)

Updated: November 10, 2021, 4:18 AM`