Ahead of the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier between the UAE and Australia in Sydney on Tuesday (kick-off 1pm UAE), Paul Radley picks the key match-ups that could decide the tie.
Mile Jedinak v Khamis Esmail
Mile Jedinak, left, and Khamis Esmail, right. Mal Fairclough, Karim Sahib / AFP
From the sound of their captain at the pre-match press conference, Australia are itching to right the wrongs from the physical battle they had with Iraq on Thursday.
“Traditionally, that is something we thrive on,” Mile Jedinak said, in particular reference to the aerial battle in the 1-1 draw against Iraq in Tehran.
“We allowed them too much time to play the balls in to start with, we didn’t stop it at source, and then we were out of position.”
Australia’s players pride themselves on their power, so Khamis Esmail, the most physical presence in the UAE midfield, has a crucial role to play in blunting that.
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Read more
■ Road to Russia 2018: UAE's qualifying campaign
■ It's just not cricket: UAE's quaint training facilities
■ Ange Postecoglou: Australia 'expecting a tough game'
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Brad Smith v Omar Abdulrahman
Brad Smith, left, and Omar Abdulrahman, right. Mal Fairclough, Tom Dulat / Getty Images
Maybe a 14-hour journey to the other side of the world and a change of scenery will do Omar Abdulrahman some good.
The UAE playmaker must be fed up of playing the biggest matches in Al Ain, given the prevailing form.
The No 10 always carries a great burden whenever he plays for the UAE, and it proved too heavy to bear when they lost to Japan on Tuesday.
As Australia’s left-sided midfielder, Brad Smith is likely to be nearest to Abdulrahman most often. Therefore he will be tasked with applying the shackles to the UAE’s leading creative force.
Mark Milligan v Ali Mabkhout
Mark Milligan, left, and Ali Mabkhout, right. Francois Nel, Tom Dulat / Getty Images
Australia and the UAE have been regular combatants in recent years, so the players know each other well.
That said, the Australians do have some extra inside intel on the opposition, in the form of Mark Milligan, who plays for Baniyas in the Arabian Gulf League.
Nominally a defensive midfielder, Milligan dropped back into the centre of a three-man defence in the tactical reshuffle Australia unveiled against Iraq on Tuesday.
If Ange Postecoglou sticks with the same system this time round, Milligan will be directly employed trying to stop the AGL’s leading marksman, Ali Mabkhout.
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