JEONJU, South Korea — Omar Abdulrahman plus centre-backs Ismail Ahmed and Mohanad Salem were given an exception from training on Thursday after their international exploits ahead of the 2016 AFC Champions League final by Al Ain, while centre-midfielder Amer Abdulrahman continued his rehabilitation from injury.

The aforementioned key trio all played 90 minutes on Tuesday as the UAE got their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign back on track with a tight 2-0 triumph against Iraq in Abu Dhabi.

This exertion saw coach Zlatko Dalic decide to sit them out as the other fit members of the 2003 winners’ squad put in valuable practice at Gunsan City, approximately 25 miles north west of Jeonju World Cup Stadium where the opening skirmish against K League Classic giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will take place on Saturday.

“It is natural that Omar, Ismail and Mohanad were given a rest after all the effort they put in with the national team,” said board member Mohammed Obaid Hammad.

“They are scheduled to train tomorrow evening [Friday] at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, which will host the AFC Champions League final.”

On a cold night in South Korea, Amer Abdulrahman was given a run-out as he bids to recover from the knock picked up in a wild foul from Al Shabab’s Hassan Ibrahim which ruled him out of Whites duty during the previous fortnight.

The summer signing from Bani Yas had resumed light training at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium prior to the team’s departure on Wednesday morning. But it is not yet known if the 27-year-old will be fit enough to start when the Boss look to set the platform for a second continental triumph.

The return leg at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium will be played on Saturday, November 26.