The UAE’s stars will “fight until the end” to keep their dream of World Cup 2018 qualification alive,
A year’s worth of progress for the hosts’ ‘golden generation’ will be on the line against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night at a packed Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium as the second round comes to a dramatic close.
Success in the second of a must-win double header – the UAE beat Palestine 2-0 last Thursday – will see them through to the next stage.
But anything less will make for a nervous evening as they wait to see whether they finish as one of the four-best runners-up from the eight pools who advance.
LIKELY UAE LINE-UP AND TEAM NEWS: The UAE will hope lethal striker Ali Makbhout recovers from a hamstring issue. Veteran Ismail Matar is expected to be fit for a place on the bench. The Al Ahli trio of Ismail Al Hammadi, Majed Hassan and Habib Fardan are all suspended.
“We are always optimistic,” said Ali, 50. “In difficult times before, we gathered together strongly. I hope this time it will be the same. We will fight until the end.
“We have the biggest dream to qualify for the World Cup. For many players, this will be their last chance to play in a World Cup.
“We will not let this go very easily. We will fight until the end.”
Ali has guided his nation on an upward trajectory during the last four years. The Under-23s wowed at the London 2012 Olympics, before the majority of that group went on to lift the 2013 Gulf Cup and finish a remarkable third in last year’s Asian Cup.
A talented squad – headlined by Al Ain superstar Omar Abdulrahman – has made the UAE believe a second-ever entry into the globe’s premier event is possible. Al Ain centre-back Ismail Ahmed, 32, emphasised the value of this long-term understanding.
He said: “We are so used to working under Mahdi Ali. We will do our best and all of us know our roles.”
But the UAE will face an tough battle. They are currently on a seven-match losing streak against the Saudis, with a last triumph coming during the 2007 Gulf Cup – a tournament they went on to win.
The Green Falcons have also soared under the tutelage of coach Bert van Marwijk since his summer arrival, usurping the UAE in the FIFA rankings and looking like challengers to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2006.
Ali said: “Saudi Arabia’s performances have improved very much. They play without any pressure, as they are guaranteed to reach the next stage regardless of this match.”
Despite the lingering fitness doubts about 29-goal forward Ali Makbhout, confidence should be high in the UAE camp following their consumate display against third-placed Palestine.
Ali said: “The pressure was more for the game against Palestine, as we had two games to think about. That was our first ticket to keep open our chances to qualify.”
