Dubai: Voices have been loud and clear that the experienced Esmail Mattar will be the one to captain the UAE at the London Olympics this summer.
However, nobody committed themselves to this rumour with Yousuf Al Sarkal parrying it away by insisting that the final say will be with coach Mahdi Ali. "It is way too early to think about the captain. Now is the moment to take in the joy of this historic event," Al Sarkal told Gulf News after landing at the Royal Wing of the Dubai International Airport.
"Besides, this is a decision that would be left entirely to our coach Mahdi Ali," Al Sarkal said.
Mattar has been one of the key figures in UAE football, both with his club Al Wahda and the national sides in all age groups. A natural attacking midfielder Mattar was awarded the ‘Golden Ball' at the 2003 Fifa Youth World Championships hosted here as the UAE settled for eighth place in the tournament.
Experience
The 28-year-old is perhaps best known for leading the UAE to their first-ever Gulf Cup of Nations in 2007 held in Abu Dhabi, where he scored five goals in as many games to be named the "Player of the Tournament".
As per regulations governing the football competition at the Olympics, each team is allowed to draft in three senior players making Mattar the hot favourite not only to make the squad but also lead the side in London when the Games get under way on July 27.
Sources in the know also indicated that coach Mahdi Ali may opt to consolidate his defence by bringing in Abdullah Mousa from Al Jazira with the third option being goalkeeper Ali Khasief based on his vast experience.
"We will leave the final decision to coach Mahdi. But first the coach has to sit down with the FA and put forth his plan for the squad," Al Sarkal said.
Former UAE and Al Ahli striker Fuad Khalil refrained from suggesting that his second brother Faisal could be one of the candidates to make the squad for London. For the record, Faisal came in from the bench last week to score the match-winner against Al Wasl in the semi-final of the etisalat Cup.
Best team
However, Fuad stood strongly in favour of a UAE squad that will have the best players travelling to London. "The coach will have to look at the form of the players before he makes his final selection. In addition, he will have to also ensure he does not take injured players as that can severely hamper our chances," Fuad Khalil said.
"This is the first time for the UAE at an Olympic Games, and they need to ensure the best team goes there," he added.
