Saudi Arabia have hunger to end UAE's World Cup ambitions says coach Van Marwijk

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  • Saudi Arabia have already qualified for the 2018 World Cup.

    Saudi Arabia boss Bert van Marwijk has warned his already-qualified side still possess the hunger to get the result which could end the UAE’s World Cup 2018 ambitions.

    The Green Falcons will make the third round of the AFC process no matter the result during tonight’s showdown in Abu Dhabi.

    This is contrast to the hosts, who are chasing victory to guarantee progression.

    Van Marwijk has awaken a fallen giant since he took charge last August and the man who guided the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 2010 is preaching professionalism.

    “I think the UAE and Saudi Arabia are the best two teams in our pool,” said the ex-Netherlands and Borussia Dortmund supremo, whose nation currently top Group A. “Everybody knows we are already qualified for the last round.

    “But we will not consider that, we want to play in a way that we reach our own level.

    “UAE have to win. And we want also to win and we will play to win – we will not defend.”

    LIKELY LINE-UP AND TEAM NEWS: The Green Falcons have no new injury problems or bans to report from Thursday’s 2-0 victory against Malaysia. Their numbers were reduced before this match, with Naif Hazazi, Salem Al Dawsari and Walid Bakshween kicked out for ill-discipline.

    Saudi-Arabia-Likely-line-up

    A less-than-impressive match saw the Saudis edge past whipping boys Malaysia on Thursday, 14-goal AFC top scorer Mohammad Al Sahlawi and midfielder Taisir Al Jassim registering in the second half.

    This was in contrast to the UAE, who showed maturity to edge out third-placed Palestine by the same 2-0 scoreline.

    Van Marwijk said: “We spoke about the UAE and saw the images of their games. They are very well prepared, we know all the players and their quality.

    “We know who is injured, we know the players who are suspended and the way they play. But I never talk about players individually.”

    As well as the poor performance against Malaysia, disciplinary problems have also dogged the visitors’ build-up.

    Al Hilal winger Salem Al Dawsari and Al Ahli Jeddah defensive midfielder Walid Bakshween were kicked out after they reported late for duty, while Al Nassr hot shot Naif Hazazi went AWOL.

    The next step in the AFC procedure will see the 12 qualified teams split into two groups of six, with the top two from each gaining guaranteed slots to the World Cup.

    The UAE would be major rivals for the Saudis if they followed them there, but Van Marwijk dismissed the notion they are eager to deal an early knockout blow to their rivals.

    “Motivation is to reach every time our own level,” the 63-year-old replied. “It doesn’t have influence against which opponent you play or the circumstances you are in, as you already have to reach your own level.

    “We did it until now and I hope we will do again. We do not think about those things.”

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