• Khalid Essa (Al Ain) What a tournament thus far for the Al Ain goalkeeper. Essa was brilliant in the shootout in the opener against Team Wellington, saving twice to save the hosts’ blushes, then again in the incredible semi-final victory against River Plate. Palmed away River’s final penalty, after making a host of fine stops during normal time, to seal a place in the showpiece. Has two man-of-the-match gongs. However, more heroics most likely needed. Reuters
    Khalid Essa (Al Ain) What a tournament thus far for the Al Ain goalkeeper. Essa was brilliant in the shootout in the opener against Team Wellington, saving twice to save the hosts’ blushes, then again in the incredible semi-final victory against River Plate. Palmed away River’s final penalty, after making a host of fine stops during normal time, to seal a place in the showpiece. Has two man-of-the-match gongs. However, more heroics most likely needed. Reuters
  • Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) His hat-trick in the semi-final against Kashima Antlers a reminder of just how good the Welshman can be when on form. Often steps up on the big occasion, having scored goals in two Uefa Champions League final and a stunning goal in the 2014 Copa del Rey final. Keeping him quiet will be one of the biggest challenges for Al Ain. AP Photo
    Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) His hat-trick in the semi-final against Kashima Antlers a reminder of just how good the Welshman can be when on form. Often steps up on the big occasion, having scored goals in two Uefa Champions League final and a stunning goal in the 2014 Copa del Rey final. Keeping him quiet will be one of the biggest challenges for Al Ain. AP Photo
  • Caio (Al Ain) Disappointed that his impressive displays had not yet yielded a goal for himself, the Brazilian duly delivered against River Plate. Caio struck the equaliser not long into the second half, a brilliant solo effort that pushed the game to extra-time and penalties. He then scored first in the shootout. The winger’s performances have been electric, and his pace and trickery should cause Madrid’s backline problems. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Caio (Al Ain) Disappointed that his impressive displays had not yet yielded a goal for himself, the Brazilian duly delivered against River Plate. Caio struck the equaliser not long into the second half, a brilliant solo effort that pushed the game to extra-time and penalties. He then scored first in the shootout. The winger’s performances have been electric, and his pace and trickery should cause Madrid’s backline problems. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) A controversial figure in the Real backline. But behind the clashes with opponents and willingness to rile up rival fans he marshals the La Liga side's defence well. Is also a threat at set-pieces going forward so Al Ain will have to be wary of the Real captain at both ends of the pitch. AFP
    Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) A controversial figure in the Real backline. But behind the clashes with opponents and willingness to rile up rival fans he marshals the La Liga side's defence well. Is also a threat at set-pieces going forward so Al Ain will have to be wary of the Real captain at both ends of the pitch. AFP
  • Hussein El Shahat (Al Ain) Typically operating on the opposite flank to Caio, the Egyptian winger has been one of the standouts this month. El Shahat found the net in the quarter-final against Esperance de Tunis, winning man of the match, and was unlucky to have a goal ruled out against River. Again, allies real speed with a willingness to take on opponents. Key to Al Ain’s attacking thrust. (Reuters)
    Hussein El Shahat (Al Ain) Typically operating on the opposite flank to Caio, the Egyptian winger has been one of the standouts this month. El Shahat found the net in the quarter-final against Esperance de Tunis, winning man of the match, and was unlucky to have a goal ruled out against River. Again, allies real speed with a willingness to take on opponents. Key to Al Ain’s attacking thrust. (Reuters)
  • Marcelo (Real Madrid) Covers so much ground on the left flank for Real and despite his main responsibility being in defence is a real attacking asset. Al Ain will have to be wary of his foraging runs forward at Zayed Sports City. AP Photo
    Marcelo (Real Madrid) Covers so much ground on the left flank for Real and despite his main responsibility being in defence is a real attacking asset. Al Ain will have to be wary of his foraging runs forward at Zayed Sports City. AP Photo
  • Tongo Doumbia (Al Ain) It’s been some introduction to competitive football at Al Ain. The Malian midfielder has been with the club since October, but registration issues meant he had not played a match until the tournament. Scored on debut against Wellington, and has generally been an immense presence in the middle. Powerful and energetic, Doumbia will have his work cut out again, most probably in direct combat with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Ouch. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Tongo Doumbia (Al Ain) It’s been some introduction to competitive football at Al Ain. The Malian midfielder has been with the club since October, but registration issues meant he had not played a match until the tournament. Scored on debut against Wellington, and has generally been an immense presence in the middle. Powerful and energetic, Doumbia will have his work cut out again, most probably in direct combat with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Ouch. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Has the chance to end an exceptional year that has him win the Champions League with his club side, help Croatia to a first ever World Cup final and then won the Ballon d'Or in December, being the first person to be awarded it not called Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi since 2007. Will look to pull Al Ain apart from centre of the park with his incisive passing. AFP
    Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Has the chance to end an exceptional year that has him win the Champions League with his club side, help Croatia to a first ever World Cup final and then won the Ballon d'Or in December, being the first person to be awarded it not called Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi since 2007. Will look to pull Al Ain apart from centre of the park with his incisive passing. AFP
  • Tsukasa Shiotani (Al Ain) Al Ain’s Mr Dependable. The Japanese midfielder-cum-defender has been superb all tournament for the UAE champions, although that shouldn’t surprise. Stationed at left-back, Shiotani is solid defensively while still offering in attack: his goal sparked the comeback against Wellington, while he assisted Caio for the leveller in the semi-final. Tireless, tenacious and technically excellent. His biggest test to date, though, comes on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Tsukasa Shiotani (Al Ain) Al Ain’s Mr Dependable. The Japanese midfielder-cum-defender has been superb all tournament for the UAE champions, although that shouldn’t surprise. Stationed at left-back, Shiotani is solid defensively while still offering in attack: his goal sparked the comeback against Wellington, while he assisted Caio for the leveller in the semi-final. Tireless, tenacious and technically excellent. His biggest test to date, though, comes on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) The Belgian signed from Chelsea in the summer and this is his chance for his first silverware with the La Liga side. An imposing figure in the Real goal, he is in good form and he will be aware he may need to step up and be the hero if Al Ain can force a third penalty shootout in their four games at the tournament. Reuters
    Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) The Belgian signed from Chelsea in the summer and this is his chance for his first silverware with the La Liga side. An imposing figure in the Real goal, he is in good form and he will be aware he may need to step up and be the hero if Al Ain can force a third penalty shootout in their four games at the tournament. Reuters

Real Madrid v Al Ain: The players who can decide the Fifa Club World Cup final

A look at five players from each side who could shape the destiny of Saturday's match at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi

John McAuley and Graham Caygill

December 22, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

One thing is guaranteed on Saturday when the Fifa Club World Cup final between Al Ain and Real Madrid takes place at 8.30pm at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

There will be heroes on the evening as players step up to decide the destiny of the trophy.

Will it be Real Madrid for a record fourth time and a third occasion in a row?

Or can Al Ain claim a stunning victory, becoming the first side outside Europe or Brazil to win the competition with a result that would put the club and UAE football firmly on the world footballing map?

Here is a look at some of the likely candidates to take centre stage on Saturday.

John McAuley looks at five stars of Al Ain's run to the final, while Graham Caygill assesses the key members of Real's elite squad.

Check out the players selected in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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Meet the Al Ain players aiming to shock Real Madrid in the Fifa Club World Cup final

Al Ain 'are going to fight to win' Club World Cup after reaching final, says Khalid Essa

Santiago Solari delighted with 'perfect' Gareth Bale as Real Madrid prepare for Al Ain showdown

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