Coach Mahdi Ali will lead the UAE’s generation-defining push for World Cup 2018 qualification after a new three-year contract was confirmed yesterday.
The future of the 49-year-old had been left in doubt following lengthy delays in extending a contract that was set to expire in July.
Ali had initially spoken in August of fresh terms being imminent, again stating his expectation to sign up prior to departing for the Whites’ incredible push to third place in January’s Asian Cup. Talks had accelerated since the team’s triumphant return from Australia, reaching a successful conclusion in recent days.
This was rubberstamped yesterday afternoon at a board meeting at the UAE Football Association’s Dubai headquarters, president Yousif Al Serkal and acting general secretary Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri both present. Confirmation of the new deal arrived late last night on the governing body’s website.
“The Football Association renewed confidence in the national coach Mahdi Ali for three years to come, as we also accepted the resignation submitted by Ali Ibrahim, the former coach of the Olympic team,” a statement said. “Doctor Abdulla Misfer was assigned to take over his responsibility.”
Reported reservations had centred around the UAE FA being reluctant to commit to Ali long-term with board elections set for April 2016.
This could have seen a scenario where a new administration would have been lumbered with a coach they did not want. But, the Whites’ sensational performance Down Under ended all doubts about their boss’ acumen.
Ali, a former international midfielder, was made senior coach in 2012 after guiding the Olympic side to several stirring displays at that summer’s Games in London.
He has proven a runaway success in his current role, also lifting the 2013 Gulf Cup title and finishing third during November’s defence in Saudi Arabia.
This followed spells with the national youth teams, travelling up through the age brackets along with wonderful talents including Al Ain superstar Omar Abdlrahman and Al Jazira’s Asian Cup top-scoring striker Ali Mabkhout.
Players and management can now concentrate on the beginning of their World Cup 2018/Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers in June. The UAE enter at the second-round stage, the draw to be held on April 11 in Tokyo.
The squad have long targeted the competition in Russia as the optimum time to secure the nation’s second qualification to the globe’s premier football competition, their debut coming in 1990.
