Omar Abdulrahman returns as UAE prepare for Fifa World Cup playoff against Australia

Former Asian player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman has been recalled to the UAE national team for the first time in two-and-a-half years as the country prepares for their World Cup playoff against Australia next month.

Abdulrahman, who was named the continent’s best player in 2016, was included in coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s 30-man squad for the game against the Socceroos on June 7 in Doha after a return to form for club side Shabab Al Ahli.

The 30-year-old lost his place in the national team as a string of injuries, including a cruciate ligament rupture in 2018 while on loan with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, took their toll on the creative midfielder.

He last played for the UAE in the 1-0 loss in World Cup qualifying to Vietnam in November 2019 but has impressed in recent months, including leading Shabab Al Ahli into the knockout rounds of this year’s Asian Champions League.

“I am 100 per cent ready because (reaching the World Cup) is everybody’s dream, it is the dream of UAE,” Abdulrahman said last month when asked about a possible recall.

The winner of the meeting at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium will advance to an intercontinental playoff on June 13 against Peru with a place in November’s finals at stake.