UAE's Al Shehhi shines in Muscat

Muscat: UAE striker Mohammad Al Shehhi is showing great capabilities in both attack and defence in his new role as midfielder which has made him one of the best players in the team if not, simply, the best.

When approached by Gulf News to talk about his dazzling form, Al Shehhi said "First I have to thank my coach Dominique Bathenay who restored my faith in my capabilities in myself. I suffered greatly at the start of the season when our club's coach used to keep me on the substitute bench to the extent that I asked to play with the reserve team to keep up my match fitness.

"I feel obliged to Bathenay and my country and I am doing my best thanks to the cooperation of my colleagues who helped me to play good matches," Al Shehhi said.

In the past two matches of the team, Al Shehhi played an excellent defensive role in addition to his attacking duties and he was not satisfied by scoring one of the UAE's three goals in the competition so far, he also saved a goal by clearing from the goal line against Yemen.

Regarding the match against Qatar, Al Shehhi said "The result was fair. We missed some scoring chances and they did the same.

"We have to concentrate on our next match against Saudi Arabia and we have to be at our best to win the points in order to proceed to the semifinals.

The Saudis have a good team but we are no pushovers." he said.