The Whites have been drawn in Group B for the third-and-final round in the AFC. A top-two finish will send them straight through to a second-ever qualification to the globe’s premier sporting event, while third guarantees a showdown to reach the Inter-confederation play-off against a CONCACAF nation.
The road to Russia 2018 restarts with a daunting double header against Japan and Australia on September 1 and 6. For Al Ahi shot stopper Nasser, it would be wrong to think the two top-ranked sides would be their only rivals for progression in a hotly-contested pool.
“Everyone knows how good Japan and Australia are, but the Saudis could pull off a few upsets,” the 32-year-old told FIFA.com.
“They’ve got back to their best with the help of some very talented players. We know Saudi Arabia and Iraq pretty well. We followed Thailand’s results in the second round – they played well and have made huge progress.
“Despite their lack of experience, I can see them causing problems to every team in the group, not just to us. Each of our matches will be like a cup final. We’ll have to be on top form, especially when we play away from home. We’ll have to avoid defeat and try to obtain at least one point. I believe that (coach) Mahdi Ali is capable of getting this team to the World Cup.”
The UAE’s only World Cup came in 1990, when they were knocked out in the group stage, and Nasser said: “I followed the team, and I remember asking my dad how they had qualified for the tournament.
“I hope that I’ll be part of a new group of players that manage to make it to the World Cup, that’s a dream that we all have.”
Mahdi Ali’s men next undertake a month-long training camp in Spain from mid-July, before the resumption of competitive action.
