After the heartbreak comes the contemplation.
The UAE may have lost the Gulf Cup of Nations semi-final to Saudi despite a stirring comeback, but as they prepare to take on Oman in the third place play-off, Mahdi Ali will likely be counting the positives of the past two weeks. In some ways, he may have learnt more from Sunday's 3-2 defeat than from all three group matches.
The 2015 AFC Asian Cup is six weeks away and there is one particularly big concern – against Saudi Arabia, dismal defending was the UAE’s downfall.
Two goals were conceded in the space of minutes as they were, with less serious consequences, against Kuwait.
A previously solid unit suddenly looked fragile, crumbling under pressure and the hosts could have been out of sight before half-time had they pressed their advantage.
Yet, in the middle of what could have turned out to be a humiliation, the players rolled up their sleeves and delivered a brilliant comeback, which was then recklessly thrown away late on.
That the comeback was achieved without the injured Omar Abdulrahman, though, makes it all the more revealing.
Few watching would have given the UAE any hope of a recovery when the team’s talisman limped off with an ankle injury after 27 minutes.
The team was being asked questions they have rarely faced in competitive action during the past two years: questions about their ability and mental fortitude, questions they can expect to crop up time and again in Australia.
The late goals aside, they responded in fine manner.
In the opening period of the second half, Amer Abdulrahman and Mohammed Abdulrahman led the fightback. The former set up Ahmed Khalil’s first goal with an excellent free kick delivery and the latter filled the hole left by his brother’s departure more than adequately.
When Amer was substituted, it was time for two of Mahdi Ali’s most trusted players to step up.
Ismail Matar set up Khalil for his magnificent equaliser and the two – with Ali Mabkhout strangely off form – looked capable of completing a historic comeback.
Sadly it was not to be and, for that, the blame falls squarely on the back four of Abdulaziz Sanqour, Mohammed Ahmed, Mohanad Salem and Walid Abbas.
Mahdi Ali will shield them from criticism, but the work to improve the defence would have already started yesterday.
There has been some good news in the aftermath of the defeat with Omar Abdulrahman's injury seemingly nothing more than a knock to his ankle.
Khalil’s stunning, almost unexpected return to form will have pleased the coach, not to mention vindicated his loyalty to the Ahli striker.
Mahdi Ali has maintained that the real objective was the AFC Asian Cup in January. Tonight could well see some of the squad’s fringe players – although he would never call them that – make their claim against Oman.
A victory will be welcome, but Mahdi Ali will be looking much farther ahead.
akhaled@thenational.ae
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