Morocco rally to hold UAE in friendly match

The UAE youth team drew (3-3) with their Moroccan counterparts in a friendly match yesterday. The game was seen as a preparatory for both teams for the finals of the Under 20 World Cup to be hosted by the UAE from March 25 next year.

Frenchman Jean Francois Jodar, the UAE head coach, started with almost the identical up that featured against the same team last Tuesday.

He, however, brought in Abdullah Malullah in defence replacing Ismail Rabie, who was brought in the second half, and Tarig Hassan replacing Ali Allo Ali in midfield. Allo also played in the second half.

The UAE dominated most of the first half and went into the lead following a controversial decision from the linesman, who awarded them a goal with the Moroccans protesting that the ball did not cross the goalline.

The goal was scored by Tarig Hassan following a fast counter-attack led by Ali Ahmed in the left flank, who crossed to Tarig whose shot was blocked by a Moroccan defender. But the linesman signalled a goal, 27 minutes into the first half.

Alawi Mustafa, the Moroccan striker who plays professionally for Hamburg in Germany, levelled through a counter-attack that caught the home defence off guard, five minutes before the break.

Jodar fielded almost all his reserves and the UAE's domination continued in the second half as their guests were busy attempting to strengthen their defence.

Ahmed Dhiya, the UAE reserve striker, crossed a free kick to Allo, who came in after the breather, and the diminutive midfielder scored his team's second goal and his second in as many matches against the same team, 11 minutes after the interval.

Morocco started looking for the equaliser and they exchanged attacks. Their captain Hamzah Humaid, was sent off for his second yellow card, 29 minutes into the second period.

Despite that Morocco played better and attacked fiercely. They scored two quick goals within six minutes. A corner from Zumama Marwan was headed home by Mustafa for his personal and his team's second and Marwan slotted his team's third, five minutes before the end, after a beautiful one-two with Ogal Ahmed.

The UAE then pressed forward and Dhiya was on target for the equaliser 42 minutes into the second half. This was before he and his colleague Jumaa Darwish missed sitters in injury time.
Jodar was happy with the two matches. "We played two good matches against Morocco, who are one of the best African teams, and our outcome was satisfactory. We improved from one to another and I am happy with the performance."

"My players showed more understanding to the strategy which we will apply in the official competition. I wish I had more time with them, but their clubs need them for the domestic league," Jodar said.

The UAE players will continue to take part in the domestic league even when they join the training camp from January 7 in preparation for the International Friendly Youth Tournament, which the UAE FA will organise from January 20. The event sees the participation of France, Ireland and South Korea.