UAE go down to Slovakia despite solid display

Abu Dhabi: The UAE played their best ever match this year and lost to Slovakia 2-1 yesterday within the team's preparations for the 18th Gulf Cup which they will host from January 17.

UAE's head coach, Bruno Metsu, started with what seems to be his first choice team to play in the Gulf Cup with Waleed Salem in goal, Mohammad Qasim, Mohammad Khamis, Humaid Fakher and Adil Abdul Aziz in defence, Abdul Rahim Jumaa, Hilal Salem, Salem Khamis and Esmail Mattar in midfield while Mohammad Omar and Faisal Khalil played in attack.

The team showed understanding and tactical discipline and played their best match since Metsu took over earlier this year. The team's performance gave the spectators who attended the match hope of winning the Gulf Cup next month. The team created many scoring chances in the first half but lack of concentration in the last touch deprived them of taking the lead.

The team's only mistake was that their midfielders did not find ways of breaking the one-line-defence applied by the Slovaks but nevertheless, Mattar and Abdul Rahim missed two sitters from inside the penalty area.

Igor Zofcak crossed from the corner flag and Slovakia left full back Jonas Michal headed home. Three minutes later, Zofcak sent a free kick high into the penalty area and Michalik Lubomir scored the second.

Abdul Aziz sent a tremendous free kick that was saved brilliantly by reserve custodian Kuciak Dusan 15 minutes before the final whistle but Mattar was on target from the spot in the first minute of injury time after Pekarik Peter fouled Sorrour.