Gulf Cup: UAE need to step up again for semi-final against Kuwait

UAE coach Mahdi Ali Mahdi Ali knows Kuwait represent a tough challenge.

It is hard to find fault with a team who have won all three of their matches, but Mahdi Ali will be the first to concede the UAE will need a better performance tonight than their last two games if they hope to reach the final of the Gulf Cup.

Against both Bahrain and Oman, the UAE enjoyed considerably less possession than their opponents.

In both games, the opposition's need for victory was more pressing - the pressure was off the UAE to some extent, having won their opener.

Pressure can be a team's greatest adversary and it will be back on the UAE as the tournament becomes knockout football and now they are possibly the favourites for the title.

How will that affect Mohammed Ahmed and Hamdan Al Kamali in the heart of UAE defence?

Abdulraheem Jumaa and Basheer Saeed, members of the team that won the 2007 Gulf Cup, both believe there is a lack of "harmony" between the pair.

The two central defenders, however, are still the best men for the job and Mahdi Ali might be a bit more concerned about his midfield, specifically Ismail Al Hammadi. The winger has looked out of sync with the rest of the team and was pulled out after just 28 minutes against Bahrain.

Omar Abdulrahman loves moving wide on the right, the position Al Hammadi usually occupies, and is a lot more affective. Al Hammadi then becomes a bit of a luxury, given the lack of size in the UAE midfield. Perhaps Majed Hassan would be a better option.

With him and Khamis Esmail playing as enforcers, Omar and Amer Abdulrahman would have more freedom to work their magic.