Dubai: The UAE put up a spirited display against Slovakia in their 2-1 King’s Cup opening defeat in Bangkok on Thursday.
Albert Rusnak and Michal Duris had the Slovakians 2-0 up before the interval at the Rajamangala Stadium, before Ahmad Khalil pulled one back with 17 minutes to spare.
It was a good result for the Whites considering Slovakia are placed 50 positions above them in the world rankings.
UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni had also decided to rest star players Omar Abdul Rahman and Ali Mabkhout in order to give youth a chance.
Slovakia impressed on their European Championship debut in 2016 by reaching the second round in France by beating Russia 2-1 and holding England goalless before crashing out to Germany in the Last 16.
Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik, the star of that tournament for the Slovaks, was missing through injury for this match but former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was ever-present at the back and needed to be towards the end as the UAE rallied in search of a late equaliser.
Rusnak put Slovakia in front on 42 minutes after running on to a pass cut back by Patrik Hrosovsky and slotting in from the tightest of angles.
Duris then headed in the second six minutes later from Peter Pekarik’s cross, deep into first half stoppage-time.
Slovakia had started the game brightest with Robert Mak hitting a half volley over and Tomas Hubocan grazing the cross bar, both inside the first 10 minutes; while the UAE’s best first-half chance came when Ahmad Khalil struck wide after being put through with a ball over the top on 31 minutes.
Khalil headed another effort wide from a cross on the hour and Rusnak was twice denied by keeper Khalid Eisa before Khalil finally pulled one back on 73 minutes after being put through by Rayan Yaslam and drilling in. Khalil could also have scored an equaliser deep in stoppage time after running on to a long ball forward but he hurried his chip in front of onrushing keeper Martin Dubravka and watched his effort balloon over.
The UAE will now play the Gabon, who were beaten 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, in Saturday’s third-place play-off from 1.30pm (UAE time), while Slovakia will play Thailand in the final from 4.30pm (UAE time) on Saturday.
The King’s Cup is an annual four-team friendly tournament held in Thailand. This is only the UAE’s second appearance, having finished fourth on their debut in 2016 behind Thailand, Jordan and Syria. Thailand have won the past two tournaments and are the record 15-time champions.
Zaccheroni’s UAE side are using this tournament to try out new players in the build-up to their hosting the Asian Cup from January 5 to February 1 next year.
