Asian Cup: UAE coach expects Omar Abdul Rahman to improve further

Canberra: UAE coach Mahdi Ali is tipping star player Omar Abdul Rahman to improve further in Thursday’s Asian Cup clash with Bahrain.

The gifted playmaker earned many instant admirers in Australia after playing an instrumental role in the UAE’s 4-1 victory over Qatar in their Group C opener on Sunday.

It was an inspired return to action for the Al Ain midfielder, whose tournament build-up had been hampered by injuries.

And, with the UAE likely to progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament if they can beat their Gulf rivals in the Australian capital, Ali is confident Adbul Rahman can shine even brighter.

“Omar is a talented player and one of the main players in the team,” said Ali. “I am very happy for him playing a full 90 minutes after one-and-a-half months of injury.

“[Against Bahrain] he will play even better because he had a game [five] days ago.

“Of course, for him to do his best and show all his quality and ability, he needs support from the team. He did very well in the last game because all the team did our best — that’s why he was very good.”

Indeed, in a tournament that is quickly gaining the interest of the Australian public — mainly down to the hosts’ own explosive start — the convincing manner of the UAE’s opening victory raised more than a few eyebrows.

By contrast, Bahrain lost their opening game 2-0 to group seeds Iran, despite a dogged performance.

The UAE are firm favourites for victory on Wednesday and are being tipped by many to reach the final stages.

Even so, Ali — who has a full squad to pick from — is refusing to get carried away, despite presiding over a UAE squad that has every chance of progressing to the Asian Cup last-eight for the first time since 1996.

“For us we don’t want to speak about the quarter-final or semi-final or whatever,” he said. “[Against Bahrain] we have an important game and we would like to focus on that.

“They [Bahrain] have a good team and they are ready to play for this competition and we hope that we are ready as well.”

Meanwhile, Bahrain coach Marjan Eid says he has identified the UAE’s strengths and weaknesses and believes his side will have what it takes to achieve a result at the Canberra Stadium.

“The UAE play in a systematic group but the dangerous points in this team are their attack,” said Eid.

“We also have a style to stop this situation and style of play and [as] with any team we have good players and strong points like in midfield, attack or defence.”

— The writer is a freelance journalist based in Australia