Expectations were high on the preparations for this match, surely.

United FC doesn’t hide their objectives – they want to be the first Private Club in the UAE to reach the Pro League.

And, from their recent performances, I couldn’t say they are so far from that goal!

They faced this Game with the hopes of taking the 3 points and making another step into that direction and reducing the distance to their direct opponents by only 3 points.

And, truth to be said, in terms of Organization, Club, individual quality, even with the environment at the Stadium on a Matchday, the Club is clearly setting the roots to get promoted.

However, this Game was not at the same level.

Mostly, thanks to Al Arabi’s performance and strategy for this Match!

Starting by the home team, United FC, as I wrote before, there’s somehow a tactical stiffness, on the build-up and in the central corridor, specially when key players, with the likes of Adrien or Quincy Promes, are marked closely.

That space for these players was, however, then available once they surpassed that initial stage and were now from midfield upwards, with the away team dropping the defensive block deeper, avoiding space in behind for the speed of United’s winger and forwards.

To face this challenges, specially on the build up, they forced long diagonals to the wingers, but against a physically strong defensive line, facing the ball in front, this option was rarely successful.

Still on the sides, the side-backs were more active and participating on the attacking moments, in comparison with the last Game observed, trying to swap with the wingers on who takes the outside or inside areas.

At the front, the Striker Torres (32), was also more active and participative on the attacking combinations, providing good passing options and smartly creating space for others to enjoy, but he as the ability to do even more, both on shooting and combination playing.

They were unlucky with the goals conceded, that’s also true, specially the first and second goal.

But definitely, the team needed more versatility, more aggressiveness when attacking, more combinations, more progression with the ball, more successful dribbles, more crossings, etc.
Simply as that.

Al Arabi, positioned at the top3 of the table before this match started, faced this match with a different mindset, and it seemed clear from the beginning that they would prioritize the defensive compactness, exploring the speed of the 4 attacking players to create danger in their opponents.

They presented a mix of a GK+4+2+3+1 and a GK+4+4+2, with the 2 attacking players (10 & 24) swapping between them on who was pressing the Centre-Backs and who would guard Adrien (23) at the centre, opting for a Medium Block, avoiding space behind the defensive line.

This strategy made sense when observing the players profile, with a physically powerful defensive line, very comfortable with the aerial duels, but maybe less capable to cover long distances in behind, and with the support of the 2 holding Midfielders for the 2nd ball.

The team was almost always compact when they were starting to press, however, when the ball passed that area, the team struggled a little more on their Defensive Organization, with space provided for the United team to organize their Game.

From there, offensively, very less to none exposure of the side-backs or even the Centre-Midfielders. 

This task was completely given to the offensive players, with the mobility of the numbers 24 and 10 allowed to navigate between spaces and corridors freely.

These movements created significant problems to the home team, also helped by the support of 2 fast wingers that were always a signal of danger on the counters.

They were lucky, specially on the 2 first goals, but you have to be ready for those moments!
And they were!

Good players, good performance, good strategy.

As a final note, it’s impossible to finish without mentioning (again) the atmosphere surrounding the home Games of United FC!

From the Organization standards to the number of attendance registered, it’s always exciting to see the matches there!

Let’s see how the second round of the League displays, but as of now, the distance between these teams got to 9 points and United’s dream to be promoted far from being true.

Who do you think will be promoted to the Pro League?
What impact can the League have, once a Private Club reaches the Top Level in UAE?

Let’s discuss!