Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Join the-afc.com as we take a look at how Al Ain and United Arab Emirates dynamo Omar Abdulrahman may impact this season’s AFC Champions League.
KEY PLAYERS: OMAR ABDULRAHMAN – Al Ain
AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 29
Goals: 5
PROFILE
A stand-out player recognisable by his frizzy mop of hair and immense ability, Omar Abdulrahman is considered by many observers one of the best talents in Asian football.
And the 24-year-old was a crucial part of both United Arab Emirates national team and club Al Ain in last year’s AFC Asian Cup, AFC Champions League and the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018/AFC Asian Cup 2019 joint-qualifiers.
A supremely gifted playmaker, Abdulrahman first caught international attention at the 2012 Olympics but more recently took headlines in Australia’s sport pages as he led the UAE to a third-place finish in the AFC Asian Cup 2015.
A Round of 16 elimination in last year’s AFC Champions League would have been a disappointment, though, for the inaugural champions who reached the semi-finals in 2014 and their star talent, who has three more years left on his contract at Al Ain, will be aiming for more glory.
IMPORTANCE TO TEAM
Despite his narrow frame and slight build, Abdulrahman glides past tackles and into space on the pitch as he dispenses a steady source of flicks, tricks and sublime passing.
Routinely topping the assists standings in the Emirati top flight and off the charts in terms of entertainment value, when the man known as Amoory is on top form, there are few players more exciting on the football field.
ONES TO WATCH
Brazilian striker Douglas will be hoping to carry over his J.League-title winning form from Sanfrecce Hiroshima to new club Al Ain where he will link up with talents such as gifted Korea Republic international midfielder Lee Myung-joo and 2014 AFC Player of the Year nominee Ismail Ahmed who marshals the backline from centre-back.