#360View: UAE should be feared by AFC rivals

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  • Omer Abdulrahman is the UAE's key player.

    The ultimate dream is slowly turning into reality for the UAE.

    This ‘golden generation’, under the paternal care of boss Mahdi Ali, is potentially just one step away from fulfilling their destiny of making the World Cup.

    It certainly would be foolish to discount a second-ever qualification when the AFC’s third round begins. Years of extraordinary achievement will make the other 11 nations dread drawing them in April 12’s ceremony in Malaysia.

    Freak results elsewhere in Asia meant the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia Tuesday night didn’t eventually make a difference to their aims.

    But it was the style of their progression as one of the four-best runners-up which would have made the continent take notice. Once again.

    They did not do this the easy way, though. Pressure had built for months as the second round headed towards a crescendo as victory against the Group A-leading Saudis seemed essential at one stage before the scores aligned.

    The suspensions of Al Ahli trio Ismail Al Hammadi, Majed Hassan and Habib Fardan – incurred during Thursday’s must-win match against Palestine – robbed them of a vibrant winger, midfield tyro and trusted impact substitute.

    The decision to dedicate the result to long-time technical assistant coach Lars Gansauer upon the final whistle also signified the upset his untimely death during training on March 19 had caused to a tight-knit squad.

    And despite the early concession of a goal from Taisir Al Jassim, a hungry side refused to be disheartened – led in style by sublime playmaker Omar Abdulrahman.

    They couldn’t build on the 24-year-old’s curled leveller from a move which he sparked with a through ball only a select group on the planet could produce.

    Nevertheless, another message had been sent out across Asia.

    ‘Amoory’ and his team-mates have been making waves for a country punching above their weight for a long time.

    Few centre-backs are as imperious as Ismail Ahmed, a fit Ali Makbhout is a striker without equal in Asia and Khamis Esmail can dominate any midfield battle.

    If metronome Amer Abdulrahman can rediscover his rhythm, another key component will be in place. As Under-23s, the majority impressed at the London 2012 Olympics. Luis Suarez’s Uruguay could attest to their worth.

    Glimpses of this talent subsequently translated into glory with the senior team.

    They swept to success in the 2013 Gulf Cup, then defeated holders Japan on the way to a sensational third place at the 2015 Asian Cup. Now, the Samurai Blue, South Korea and continental kings Australia are the standout sides in the next stage, but below them lies opportunity.

    Qatar, China and Uzbekistan are fellow emerging nations. Syria, Thailand and Iraq will be too weak to challenge.

    Traditional giants Saudi Arabia and Iran should be respected, but not given deferential treatment.
    All of these teams can be toppled by Ali’s troops.

    Four automatic berths for the tournament in 2018 and an intercontinental play-off against CONCACAF – which comprises North, Central American and Caribbean nations – are the potential routes to success for them when the competitive action restarts in September.

    The UAE have earned the right to be feared.

    They must believe their envious recent gains ensure it will take something special to halt them on the road to Russia.

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