UAE make 10 changes as Qatar name five in Gulf 27 top-of-the-table clash

Zlatko Dalic and Julen Lopetegui have announced their starting line-ups for the decisive Group B meeting between United Arab Emirates and Qatar at Gulf 27 in Saudi Arabia.

United Arab Emirates lead the group with six points, ahead of second-placed Qatar on goal difference. Both sides have already secured their places in the semi-finals, while Yemen and Bahrain have been eliminated after losing their opening two matches.

Dalic has made 10 changes to the United Arab Emirates team that started the previous game against Bahrain. Richard O’Connor is the only player to retain his place in the starting XI.

United Arab Emirates start with Hamad Al-Maqbali, O’Connor, Sasha Ivkovic, Khaled Al-Dhanhani, Khalifa Al-Hammadi, Abdullah Hamad, Fabio De Lima, Ali Saleh, Harib Abdalla, Luan Pereira and Sultan Adel.

Lopetegui has made five alterations to Qatar’s line-up, with six players keeping their starting positions. Those retained are goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada, Tarek Salman, Pedro Miguel, Mohammed Manei, Almoez Ali and Edmilson Junior.

Qatar’s starting team is Mahmoud Abu Nada, Pedro Miguel, Tarek Salman, Edmilson Junior, Ayoub Al-Alawi, Homam Al-Amin, Jassem Gaber, Ahmed Al-Ghanahi, Mohammed Manei, Ahmed Fathi and Almoez Ali.