Khalil could be Asia's next big thing

Ahmad Khalil, the fleetfooted UAE striker who plies his trade for Al Ahli Club, seems to be having a whale of a time this month. Apart from playing a key role in coach Mahdi Ali's scheme of things in the under-23 national team's Pre-Olympics campaign, he has found a pride of place in the Sports Illustrated's current issue as among the "10 Asian Players to Watch". Khalil, who is no stranger to international recognition (he was the Asian Football Confederation's Youth Footballer of the Year in 2008) was a key figure behind the UAE's silver medal performance in the Guangzhou Asian Games last year. The AFC honours came for Khalil, who then all of 17 years, played a significant role in the UAE winning the AFC Under-19 championships in Saudi Arabia. He was also among the recipients of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards for 2010. Success With the success of Asian players such as Park Ji-sung (Manchester United), Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund) and Lee Chung-yong (Bolton), many clubs in the world are constantly on the lookout for the next big thing in the region. The SI is not short on eulogies on Khalil, saying: "The 20-year-old Khalil is the best player in the Gulf, according to UAE national team boss Srecko Katanec and has also been called the Arabian Eto'o. It may be a little early for that but the international striker is fast, skillful and loves to run at defenders — the teenager plays with a confidence that belies his tender years. Good stock "His stock is good with his father and a number of brothers all involved in the game though Ahmad is the most talented of the lot...His one step freekicks are already the stuff of legend in Dubai where he plays his club soccer alongside Fabio Cannavaro. He may not be in the city for much longer, rumours of Chelsea interest have come and gone but similar stories are sure to return," the magazine says. When contacted by Gulf News over the phone, Katanec — who is currently conducting a World Cup qualifiers camp for the senior team in Slovenia — tried to put things in perspective: "It's a matter of opinion. He [Ahmad] definitely has some potential, but needs to work hard at it. Yes, he can also try his luck if he gets the opportunity to play in European leagues." Interestingly, two more footballers from the region - F, Naif Hazazi of Saudi Arabia and D, Eshan Hajisafi of Iran have also made their way to the elite list compiled by Sports Illustrated. From gulfnews.