Sparky’s Column

UAE team does us proud at Asian Cup

There's an old saying amongst seafarers that the ocean is a cruel mistress. The same insinuation could apply to football. The UAE's injury time defeat by an own goal against Iraq is a case in point. The pained look on Waleed Abbas' face as the ball trickled over the line off his shin was echoed by many across the Emirate. It appears now the UAE's ambitions in the Asian Cup have been sunk. I really thought they had a chance to qualify from the group and whilst mathematically there is still hope, the dream appears all but over. The UAE can take positives from their performances, holding World Cup qualifiers North Korea shows progress and to lose to the Cup holders Iraq is no disgrace. The other positive is the recognition of the UAE's proactive policy on youth. Bahrain have held up the UAE as an example of youth football in the region. Bahrain Vice President Sheikh Ali Al Khalifa wants to model Bahrain's national team on the UAE, with youth being given the priority. The young players that have been given the opportunity in the full squad have shone brightly and this can only bode well for the future for football in this country.

I was at the Australia v Japan Asian Cup match in Doha on Friday and the visit brought home to me how much effort will be required by Qatar to host the World Cup. The Asian Cup is a much scaled down version of the 2022 event. I watched the game in Al Gharafa stadium which holds 25,000, 10,000 more than the crowd in attendance. The main thing that stood out for me was the small size of the place, considering how massive an event the World Cup is. In South Africa, Johannesburg - a city of millions - had to cope with two World Cup stadiums. The question is, how will Qatar do the same with an entire tournament in a country that has half the population of Soweto? The key is that they have been given 12 years to plan and I think with such a huge task they will be using every single day of it.

Back on home turf and the UFL, the Etisalat Cup semi finals have been all been decided bar one slot. Al Wasl, Al Shabab and Al Ain are all safely through. The final place will be taken by either Al Dhafra and Al Wahda. Al Ain face a weakened Al Wahda who will be minus their UAE internationals this weekend. Al Dhafra will fancy their chances as they play a Dubai Club whose focus will be on their relegation battle rather than the Etisalat Cup. Who will sink and who will float? We will find this weekend.