Another Game full of buzz around it, once 1st and 2nd positions at the U18’s table were facing each other!

There’s expectation, there’s a good environment on the stand and all ready for action.

For me, it’s not the first time watching these teams, but instead of thinking that I know what will happen, I tend to assume that there may always surprises.

Football is full of surprises!

The Game started with a good pace, teams trying to win duels, getting the control of the Game on their side.

Shabab Al Ahli positioned tactically, as a basic starting point, in a GK+4+1+4+1, although at times the midfielders would rotate into a 2+1 formation.

This change would turn the team into a GK+4+2+3+1 formation, but here again, this change was deeply influenced by an attempt of getting individual marking references in the midfield, and with Al Ain players moving around their Offensive Strategies, there were times where the midfielder was 1+2 or 2+1.

Additionally, and regardless their positioning at the centre, due to the defined medium-block where they were positioned to start pressing and with the defensive and midfielder lines so close to each other, in an attempt to prevent the inside play Al Ain enjoys to promote, there were even times where the left-winger was positioned within the defensive line – creating a line of 5 defenders.

The team prepared to be strong on the counter, with a great reference player (#35 – Abou Konate) and with a good support from behind with players as #8 – Mohammad Alhamedh, #10 – Laieth Tayem and #33 – Zein, mainly.

Although it wasn’t a great performance, the team presented some very good individual talents, playing with some younger players, born in 2008, which also brings some good perspectives for the future.

Here again, great individual talents, those that make you think that the 1, 2 or 3 that will probably reach the top level, will be ready to represent and promote the work done at the Youth Level.

Al Ain presented a few changes in comparison with the last match at Al Wahda, mainly at the attack with #31 Diop and #8 Abdulla coming in to replace #9 Hazaa and #25 Satine, but also with the expected line of 5 when attacking seeing #16 Thayeb (great local talent, flexible, technically capable, tactically awareness one of the best, great example and captain) to be positioned mainly at the wing, leaving inside spaces for #23 Ziyad , and #7 Calido occupying the left side of the attack and #31 Diop staying as the main central reference.

At the central corridor, no changes, with CB’s and CM’s holding their positioning and consistency.

Also, a good surprise was #8 Abdulla’s performance, with a great space awareness, being successfully able to navigate between the Shabab’s Defensive and Midfield line, amazing first touch and, therefore, to create many combinations and good potential assists.

Very good!

A couple of talents are emerging here, with a great support net from efficient players for this level.

The team secured a win in the last minute with a penalty, after a fast counter, where the fresh players that came in during the 2nd half played a crucial role, gaining advantage in the spaces behind the home team defenders, and winning the penalty after a duel with the Goalkeeper, that fouled the Al Ain’s player.

In general, we could say that Al Ain had more control of the Game, definitely more ball possession, without necessarily having a lot of goal opportunities.

It was an intense match, defined but rigid structures and duels, but without great brilliance or amazing plays.

Finally, there are some good talents, on both sides, that will definitely be able to play professionally and grow their careers locally and, who knows, internationally.

Talent is everywhere, we just need to support it in the right manner!