The recall of Al Jazira left-back Abdullah Mousa was one of few surprises in the squad selected on Tuesday by the UAE for next month’s vital 2018 World Cup qualifier in Saudi Arabia.

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Mousa, 28, has not featured for his nation since their 2013 Gulf Cup-triumph. He was joined by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ahmed Dida as the only shock names chosen in the 23-man roster by coach Mahdi Ali.

Pride of Abu Dhabi defensive midfielder Khamis Esmail will miss the match on October 8 at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City through injury. 

The Whites will head to Qatar's capital Doha on Monday for a training camp until October 6.

They currently top Group A in the second round of Asian Football Confederation qualifiers ahead of their impending hosts, whose last match was abandoned while leading in Malaysia because of a serious crowd disturbance.

UAE squad to face Saudi Arabia:
Abdulaziz Sanqour, Walid Abbas, Majid Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi, Habib Fardan, Ahmed Dida, Ahmed Khalil (Al Ahli); Ismail Ahmed, Mohammed Fawzi, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohamed Abdulrahman, Rashed Essa, Mohanad Salem, Mohamed Ahmed, Khalid Essa (Al Ain); Fares Juma, Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Ahmed Al Attas, Abdullah Mousa (Al Jazira); Mohammad Al Akbari (Al Wahda); Amer Abdulrahman (Bani Yas); Hassan Ibrahim (Al Shabab)