The U23 Pro League keeps surprising!
From the Organization, comfort, matches quality and agents involved, the progress is remarkable.

Al Ain presented their strengths facing Al Nasr that, despite their position on the League Table, sold the match really expensive, as we say in Portugal!

Specially on the first half, the home team was able to create a lot of issues to Al Ain’s defensive line, mainly from the attacking left-side with the winger Ahmed Alshammari (60).

Al Nasr made a few tactical changes, probably adapting to the expected power coming from Al Ain.

Was very good to see the tactical awareness levels on the home team, able to be positioned in different systems throughout the Game and its Moments.

For instance, at the Defensive Moments, the team positioned in a GK+5+4+1 in a medium to low block, always preserving the box with 3+ players when in the last third and avoiding being outnumbered there.

On the other hand, when attacking the team was able to be versatile, with the CB’s normally positioned at the left (during the 2nd half) or center progressing with the ball and positioning almost as a Defensive Midfielder when the ball went to the 2nd and 3rd third, creating a 2+1 to prevent counter attacks.

Well done!

Al Ain, the League leaders at the U23 Pro League, presented their power, progressing their dominance during the match.

As it’s been regular from the matches observed, taking in consideration all teams observed until now at different age-groups, I think is safe to assume that there’s a direct relationship between the  technical and physical capabilities on the culture of the Club, or Youth Program.

The team was technically competent, very powerful, strong, fast and imposing their dominance in the Game.

I believe these to be crucial elements of Al Ain’s Culture.

Although they were less flexible tactically, with a bigger concern on avoiding counter-attacks and not be outnumbered at the back in these moments, their normal defending positioning was set in a GK+4+4+2 with some spaces in between lines. 

Consequently, they struggled at times to face the 3 at the back from Al Nasr and made the midfielders task harder.

However, their physical capabilities were predominantly higher in comparison and, therefore, they were normally able to resolve their challenges.

On the Attacking Moments, both side-backs were very reluctant to go ahead to attacking positions and supporting the wingers, as an example, specially the right-back. 

Additionally, both holding Midfielders, despite their lack of positioning awareness for sometimes, also kept their positions more stable during attacking moments, guaranteeing a good control for potential counter-attacks.

Finally, as I’ve been stating, there’s a lot of quality observed in these matches.

From this match, there were a few players that I would highlight from each team, although in different levels and future expectations.

There was one player, in particular, that I believe to be somehow special on the national landscape, that joins talent, ability, skills, speed and strength.

But, before mentioning any names, I want to see a few more matches in different environments and observe other crucial elements, normally associated with behaviors, consistency, performances, etc.

The future seems, definitely, brighter!
And, for any doubts that may exist, this competitiveness will only result in better and greater challenges, which will bring improving outcomes soon!

I assume, I’m biased.

Coming from Portugal, where there’s no limits of expat players that teams can register and play, naturally makes the environment very competitive.

Is it easy to accept that any young player has (way) less than 1% chance to become a professional player?
No!

But, the 1 story of an unexpected becoming professional feeds the dream of the next 1,000 young players coming.

That’s for sure!

And that’s why Football is so great, because it attaches the emotional elements, the dream, the achievement.

And it wouldn’t be the same if there was an easy path to reach there!