If new UAE boss Alberto Zaccheroni’s first two matches have taught him anything, it is the irreplaceable status of Asia’s goal poacher extraordinaire Ali Mabkhout.
The striker was curiously allowed to notch for Al Jazira on Arabian Gulf Cup-duty at the same time as Friday’s frustrating debut loss to Haiti, after previously leaving the Italian’s camp because of injury.
In his absence, a combination of the woodwork and blunt finishing took the shine off a solid opening display. Tuesday night against a weakened Uzbekistan that featured just domestic call-ups, it took 15 minutes for the returning 2015 Asian Cup top scorer to exorcise this anguish.
Set free by a deft pass from resurgent centre midfielder Amer Abdulrahman, there was zero doubt from anyone inside Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium that a 31st international goal in 53 appearances was to follow. Visiting goalkeeper and skipper Ignatiy Nesterov was skipped around with nonchalant ease, prior to the ball being slid into an open net.
This was the highlight of a nondescript clash otherwise detailed by a first airing of the trademark 3-4-3 formation Zaccheroni utilised to lift the 1998/99 Serie A crown with AC Milan. A rigidity rarely present under predecessor Edgardo Bauza was also tangible, admittedly against limited opponents, in these nascent steps towards January 2019’s Asian Cup on home soil.
“It’s only my second match,” Zaccheroni commented. “I told my players to play as a team, and to give 100 per cent on the pitch and come out with a good performance.
“We played a compact game tonight and were better organised that the first match.”
The UAE slipped into their new shape and deservedly went ahead when Mabkhout characteristically converted the friendly’s first chance.
Little more of note occurred in the opening stanza prior to Lokomotiv Tashkent centre forward Marat Bikmaev spurning a great chance at the back post in injury time.
The Whites continued to exert control after the break, without their attack sparking again. A worry for another day now Zaccheroni has chalked up a victory.
He said: “For me, there is more to do with our team. We need to take this result forward and keep improving at every game.”