It's the wake-up whistle

The UAE football team's failure in their World Cup qualification campaign comes as no surprise to fans across the country. But even as explanations are being sought for the side's barren run of form, the national Under-19 and Under-16 squads have shown promise with some fighting performances of late. For the senior national team, however, it is back to the drawing board. Player burnout as a direct consequence of the exertions of last season is one factor for the slump. The other more notable reason is an inability to score goals. The national squad is missing the incisiveness provided by quality strikers and the clubs across the country are to be blamed for this. Thanks to the mass influx of foreign strikers following the switch to a professional set-up in domestic competitions, the UAE-bred goal-scorer is in a minority. The burden of expectations placed on the team by the Football Association (FA) does not help either. This even as other teams from the GCC prosper in conditions that are not too different. The root of the problem, by all accounts, lies in the grassroots development of the game in the country. More talent needs to be identified, invested in and nurtured. After all, a coach is only as good as his team.