Punishing schedule to affect football players

Abdul Salam Jumaa is regarded as one of the best pivotal players, if not the best, not only in the UAE but in the region.

A dynamic player, Abdul Salam has been doing both offensive and defensive duty for his club Al Wahda, the league champions and the UAE national football team, since he first featured in the UAE youth team back in 1996.

Abdul Salam was then promoted to the senior team in 1997 and ever since then he had been a key player in the national squad except for the team's last encounter against Uzbekistan. UAE head coach Tini Ruijs had replaced him with Sultan Rashid. The reasoning was that Abdul Salam's performance in the match against Oman was below par.

Abdul Salam Jumaa is not alone. Before him it was Subait Khatir, UAE's best player last season, Fahad Masoud and others who have fallen victim to the same syndrome.

The problem with Abdul Salam and his other colleagues in the UAE national team is saturation, fatigue and exhaustion which takes its toll on amateur players. They are expected not only to peform as professionals but also to possess the physical and mental capabilities of a professional footballer.

These players are always under pressures trying to forget their other obligations, specially as some of them have families, school and professional obligations which are directly related to their lives and future.

The players of the UAE national team have been featuring in continuous training camps and tournaments. Whether they are friendlies or official games, since July 22, 2000. In addition to this, they also play with their clubs in the domestic competitions. The only period of rest that they have had since July last year was two weeks between June 8 and June 22 this year.

Each of the UAE national team's players have played 22 first division league matches, in addition to at least two matches in the President's Cup, 20 matches in training camps and friendly tournaments.

They have also played six first round matches of the Asian World Cup qualifiers and five so far out of a scheduled eight second round games.

It's not the end, however. If the UAE succeed in clinching the second place in the group then they will have to take part in a play off that might take them to Europe.