UAE XI blows Azkals away in friendly

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals got sideswiped by a far superior United Arab Emirates (UAE) side, 0-4, Saturday night in an international friendly in Abu Dhabi in a setback that clearly showed how much catching-up the Phl needs to be at par with the region’s top teams.

The 71st-ranked UAE booters took the visiting Azkals (137th) to school with their crisp passing, explosive finishing and overall technical skills, slamming it home through Salem Musalem (19’), Walid Abbas (40’), Ismail Matar (60’) and Ali Mabkhout (78’).

Post-game stats left no doubt as to how the Emirates imposed their will on the Azkals, who are in deep preparations for next year’s Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup in Maldives.

UAE had 29 shots against the seemingly helpless defense of Phl XI, 11 of them on-target. They also won 13 corners while conceding none. Kept on the defensive by the efficient and high tempo play of UAE, the Pinoy booters managed only three shots all game, none on-target.

“This is meant to be a learning experience, we should reap the rewards in Maldives,” said team manager Dan Palami, adding that “(the) fluid team movement of UAE (is) worth emulating.”

“(We) Gave it our all but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say we were beaten by a better side,” said co-captain Rob Gier. “We’ll learn and come back stronger.”

The scoreline could have been a lot worse for the Azkals, if not for some fine saves by goalkeeper Ed Sacapaño, who, along with the back four, got busy trying to contain the frenetic UAE juggernaut.

“I think it’s the tempo that’s caught everybody by surprise... our first touches need to be improved,” said Palami.

Sacapaño managed to keep UAE from scoring in the first 15 minutes, but it didn’t take long for the reigning Gulf Cup national champion to hit its mark. 

Musalem, getting a nice through ball from Omar Abdulrahman, beat his defender and slotted it home at the 19th minute. The home side doubled the lead 21 minutes later, with Abbas tapping it in off a flick back to the striker.

Matar flashed world-class finishing in the 60th, making a nifty first touch that set up a 25-yard rocket that made it 3-0. Mabkhout later made the Azkals pay for a weak pass, stealing the ball and going all the way to cap UAE’s rampage.

It was the 16th consecutive win for UAE, counting its Gulf Cup title conquest and unbeaten stint in Group E of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifications.