#3 The link-up play up front
Even though India lost the game, the front players combined very well throughout the game. Sunil Chhetri and Ashique Kuruniyan were guilty of missing a host of chances, but their understanding of each other raises a lot of hopes.
The Indian skipper set his strike partner free on quite a few occasions, trying to capitalize on Kuruniyan's speed and technical abilities. Chhetri broke free himself, running the channels well and Kuruniyan then returned the favour. Those two gave UAE quite a few headaches in the first half.
In the second, as Constantine put on Jeje, the link-up play of the Indian team was fabulous at times. Jeje's ability to hold the ball and set players free almost led to a goal, as he set Udanta Singh free, who played a beautiful one-two with his skipper before watching his angled shot come off the crossbar.
This link-up play on display is a big positive ahead of the must-win game against Bahrain on Monday.