Here’s the start of a new section on the blog, focusing on the Emirati talents!

I have to go back to the year of 2018 to think about the first time that I clearly started focusing on local talent.

At the time, Harib Suhail (now with 22 years old, a National Team Player and one reference at Shabab Al-Ahli) was a young project of a potential Football player, at the U17 of the local team.

Great memories!

What stuck with me, from those times, was the technical ability that local Emirati players had.

Coming from Europe (Portugal), you are immediately biased to think that there’s no talent anywhere else, but I came to the realization that I couldn’t be further from the truth.

I was really surprised and I even tried to help one or two players to have some kind of a trial in Europe, in Portugal.

This Season, after watching some matches, from U23, U21, U18, Pro League, Division 1, Division 2 and 3, I can confirm that there’s a clear improvement!

If in the old days I thought that physically the players struggled, now the players are getting stronger and stronger.

You can see their focus and mentality is changing.

Some faster than others, as in any other area of life and country.

Additionally, we can see a lot of young foreign talents also participating in National Competitions, which immediately impacts the level of the matches and the need to raise the overall level.

As an example, I was present to see the U18’s UAE Cup Match where Al Ain visited Al Nasr (B Team).

Theoretically, I was expecting the Al Nasr Team to be the younger team (once they were the “B Team”), but the truth is that both teams presented players born in 2007, 2008 and even 2009.

A lot of local talent, merged with the adds of some expat players made the match very interesting to observe.

The visitors, Al Ain, privileged an attacking formation with GK + 3 Defenders, 2 (powerful) Midfielders followed by a line of 4 players with the wingers and the wing-backs using both internal and width spaces with logic and Game understanding, and 1 striker as a reference on top.

Very good team, with good Principles of Space understanding – specially on the dynamics of the line of 4 just before the striker and constant combinations with the 2 holding Midfielders. The team presented some really powerful players, and used this powerful central corridor (Centre-Back + 2 Midfielders + Striker) to win the match, against a physically weaker opponent.

Additionally, Al Ain was able to create spaces on the wing for their fast players on the wing to create a lot of problems to the defensive players of Al Nasr.
Good and physically powerful team!

Al Nasr, one the other side, privileged a “more regular” GK + 4 Defenders + 3 Midfielders (2+1) and 3 Attacking players. The team suffered more with and without the ball throughout the match, once it was less capable to win duels and, therefore, lost the ball possession relatively easier. The older players (ie. 2007) were the teams’ references – specially on the left side when attacking – and provided a good portion of rollercoaster emotions closer to the end of the match, missing inclusively a penalty kick, and trying their best to make the equalizer.

However, I was really impressed with the technical abilities of 2 talents (both born 2008) on the Dubai’s side!

There were some other players spotted from this match, but I’m looking forward to see more matches before stating their names (just like I did with Harib some years ago).

If doubts exist, there’s no news that Youth Football is a great investment for local Clubs, here and in the world!
It’s our job, as Football agents and stakeholders, from Coaches, Technical Directors or Sporting Directors, as Club’s responsible and those who should lead the way ahead, to create an opportunity for these young talents to have a space for clear development.

Moreover, I believe that what differentiates the UAE from other countries, and one of the reasons for this rapid growth in the country, is connected to the amount of expatriate Players, Coaches, or Technical Directors, along with the Emirati people existent at the local Football landscape, from local Clubs to Private Academies.

Creating competitive environments makes players and all the other agents to move ahead, to work more, elevating the benchmark, creating better outcomes, definitely.

Now, it’s time to create more opportunities for these young players to be exposed to international matches, competitive tournaments and keep make a steady growth!

Looking forward for future matches!

I will keep you posted about my findings, share with me yours!

Let’s build a better future for the Football of the UAE!