UAE’s Matar faces race against time

dubai — The UAE will continue to monitor the progress of Ismail Matar after the veteran striker underwent a surgery following a hairline fracture on his cheekbone and a final call on his participation in the AFC Asian Cup will be made after reviewing the final medical report over the next few days.

The 35-year-old Matar had suffered the fracture during Al Wahda’s Arabian Gulf League fixture against Sharjah earlier this month which had put him in doubt for the continental showpiece to be hosted by the UAE from January 5 to February 1 next year.

Matar, who got a late call-up to the third camp in Barcelona, Spain in October, after a year out of the National team, faces a race against time to be fit and make the final squad list on December 26.

The UAE Football Association (UAE FA) has to submit the final list of players for the tournament on December 26.

“The medical team is in constant contact with the medical unit of Al Wahda and the doctor who conducted the operation. Ismail Matar’s participation will be known after reviewing the final medical report, which will be presented to the technical staff during the next few days,” Abdullah Saleh, the team supervisor said.

The UAE are already without Omar Abdulrahman, who has been completely ruled out of the competition after he suffered a kneee injury during Al Hilal’s game against Al Shabab Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League in October.

Meanwhile, the UAE squad began their fifth and final camp at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex on Saturday after gathering at the Meydan Hotel. The squad were without the Al Ain players who are participating in the Fifa Club World Cup.