Mattar’s injury worry for UAE coach in Asian Cup

Veteran UAE striker undergoes surgery after injury in AGL game

Veteran striker Esmail Mattar faces a race against time to be fit for the Asian Cup, scheduled to be held here in the UAE after fracturing his cheekbone during the Arabian Gulf League match against Sharjah.

Mattar was elbowed by Brazilian midfielder Igor Coronado in the second half during his team’s 3-2 loss against Sharjah. Though he continued to play till the final whistle, it was later discovered after a test at the Khalifa Hospital that there was a fracture and he needed surgery.

Ahmad Al Rumaithi, Al Wahda Club’s chairman of the board of directors, confirmed Mattar was to be going under the knife last evening. “The referee didn’t see the incident and no foul was called, but Mattar was hurt badly and will be undergoing surgery today. He will be out of action for at least a month,” said Al Rumaithi.

The Al Wahda veteran was named in the 28-man squad announced by UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni in October for the third camp in Barcelona, Spain after a gap of one year. This was the second blow for Zaccheroni ahead of the campaign. He had earlier lost star midfielder Omar Abdul Rahman.