Ali Mabkhout lack of game time due to 'technical and tactical' reasons, coaches say

Ali Mabkhout’s lack of game time at the Asian Cup is because of “technical and tactical” reasons, according to the UAE coaching staff.

Mabkhout, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, has not featured at all during the tournament in Qatar, as the national team progressed to the knockouts by finishing second in Group C.

The Al Jazira striker, Golden Boot winner in Australia in 2015, was an unused substitute in the UAE’s first two matches, a 3-1 win against Hong Kong and the 1-1 draw with Palestine.

Sultan Adil, the 19-year-old forward, was preferred in attack by manager Paulo Bento, and responded with goals in both games.

However, Mabkhout was not named in the squad for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat against group winners Iran, even with Adil ruled out for up to 10 days with a knee injury.

Despite the loss, the UAE sealed a runner-up spot and therefore their place in the last 16, where they face Tajikistan on Sunday.

On Mabkhout’s absence, assistant coach Sergio Costa said: “The reason is technical, tactical. We prepare our match with the players that for us give more guarantees and the starting XI that we started were the starting 11 players we brought for the match. And we think that it was correct.”

Team manager Yasser Salim added: “Ali Mabkhout is one of the most disciplined players in the squad. He is motivating all his teammates all the time, such as Sultan Adil and all the young players.

“There are absolutely no problems with Ali Mabkhout, and the decision to keep him on the bench or outside is purely technical by the coach. And we respect the coach. It’s his call.”

Bento, meanwhile, will be back on the touchline for the last-16 match against Tajikistan at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. The Portuguese, appointed UAE manager