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The Match

Both Morocco and the United Arab Emirates were eliminated at the quarter-final stage four years ago, and now each side is chasing a first-ever appearance in the Arab Cup final. Morocco arrive as one of only two unbeaten teams remaining in the tournament, riding a strong run of form despite notable absences. The Atlas Lions will be without suspended defender Mohamed Moufid, while influential forward Tarik Tissoudali remains a fitness concern.

The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, have grown into the competition after opening their campaign with a defeat to Jordan. Since then, they have shown steady progression, capped by a dramatic penalty shootout victory over defending champions Algeria in the quarter-finals. Head coach Cosmin Olaroiu continues to deal with injury setbacks, including the absence of key figures Fabio Lima and Khalid Eisa, but has been encouraged by the emergence of young goalkeeper Hamad Al Meqbaali and the growing influence of attacking leaders Caio and Bruno.

Players to Watch

With a tightly contested and potentially low-scoring semifinal expected in Al Rayyan, defensive solidity could prove decisive. On that front, Morocco have been exceptional, conceding just one goal in four matches, and that coming via an own goal in their opening game against Comoros. Anchoring their rock-solid backline is Soufiane Bouftini, whose composure, ball control, and defensive awareness have stood out. The 31-year-old has also chipped in offensively, already finding the net at Qatar 2025.

For the UAE, the spotlight falls on Hamad Al Meqbaali. With veteran goalkeeper Khalid Eisa sidelined, the 22-year-old Shabab Al Ahli shot-stopper has risen to the occasion. He was instrumental in the quarter-final shootout win and has impressed throughout the tournament with confident distribution and reliable shot-stopping.

Suspended Players

- Mohamed Moufid (Morocco)

- Marcus Meloni (United Arab Emirates)

What They Said

“We have some players missing, but God willing we will overcome these obstacles and be ready for the upcoming matches. We’ve faced issues before, but the important thing is finding solutions.”
— Walid Azaro, Morocco forward

“We were grateful for our goalkeeper in the quarter-final, but now we must recover quickly and prepare properly for Morocco. Hopefully, we can achieve another victory.”
— Lucas Pimenta, United Arab Emirates defender

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