Five key UAE players who can help team reach the Asian Cup final

We take a look at who could make the difference ahead of the crucial semi-final against Qatar

Ismail Al Hammadi: The experienced Shabab Al Ahli attacker has played for the UAE more than 60 times and is the kind of player that gets the crowd off their seats with his direct running on the left wing. Looked the UAE’s most dangerous player in the quarter-final win over Australia and, as he awaits his first goal of the tournament, his teammates will be looking to feed the ball to his feet or in behind the full-back for him to run on to at every opportunity. Getty Images

Ali Mabkhout: Top scorer at the 2015 Asian Cup, the Emirati striker has been on the goal trail again this time around, with four already, including the only goal against Australia. It was his only real contribution in that match and while his touch hasn’t been at its sharpest, he is the man who is most likely to be in the right place at the right time. Without Omar Abdulrahman and, to a large part, Ahmed Khalil, there is a huge onus on the prolific Mabkhout. Reuters

Khalid Eisa: The 29-year-old Al Ain goalkeeper was heroic in the Fifa Club World Cup and now finds himself on the cusp of another final. He was a calm presence throughout the quarter-final victory over Australia, repelling a late onslaught with the help of courageous defensive duo Fares Juma and Ismail Ahmed. Getty Images

Ahmed Khalil: Reduced to cameo appearances so far, the 2015 Asian Player of the Year has still scored twice in the tournament – converting crucial penalties in the extra-time win over Kyrgyzstan in the last 16 and in the group phase equaliser against Bahrain. The striker, scorer of more than 100 goals in domestic football, could well be the UAE’s super sub. AP Photo

Ismail Ahmed: Didn’t play in the first match but ever-present in the centre of the UAE’s defence since. The 35-year-old Al Ain player put in a colossal performance against Australia and will need to be at his best again against Qatar. Getty Images

Jan 29, 2019

It's the match that has the whole country talking.

The UAE face Qatar at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday in the Asian Cup semi-finals.

And it isn't just the die-hard football fans who are taking an interest in how the national team is performing as they move towards potentially reaching the final of the Asian Cup for a second time.

So, having drawn against Bahrain and Thailand, beaten India, Kyrgyzstan and Australia, we take a look at the five players who could be key to making a difference in the semi-final.

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Updated: January 29, 2019, 7:03 AM