Asia Angle: 5 questions for WC qualifiers

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  • It's crunch time for the UAE.

    League football takes a break for the next 10 days as players head to link up with their various national sides for important 2018 World Cup qualifiers right across Asia. Given the nature of qualication on the continent, it is already make or break time for several involved.

    Here are five key questions for the days ahead…

    1) Can the UAE take a minimum of four points?

    To be a genuine power, whether it be on the club or international stage, consistency is key. It’s not just about the big games, it is about avoiding banana skins.

    Facing Malaysia at home should not present much of a problem for the Whites, even if the Malaya Tigers are feeling wounded after a 6-0 home thrashing at the hands of Palestine last time out; the real test comes five days later with a trip to the West Bank for the UAE’s first competitive game in Palestine.

    Palestine supporters at the Asian Cup.

    It is sure to be a tough outing but it is exactly the kind of test that will show how far Mahdi Ali’s men have come. There will be a full house, a boisterous atmosphere and a sense of history in the making that all serves to work against the visitors. Not only that, the hosts have made major strides in recent years, culminating in a trip to Australia for the Asian Cup in January.

    draw would be a satisfactory result for UAE but a win will keep the team level pegging with a Saudi Arabian side that is likely to defeat Timor Leste and Malaysia to move onto nine points from three games. Remember, only the top team from the group gains automatic progress to the final round.

    2) Will Bert van Marwijk make a difference for Saudi Arabia?

    The Dutchman is the latest import drafted in to take control of the Green Falcons as they look to try and recapture their glory days of the nineties and noughties. It remains to be seen if the man who led Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final can succeed where compatriot Frank Rijkaard failed a few years ago. It is Asia’s impossible job, simply due to the fact that there are so many who have occupied the hottest of seats for a few months before getting the chop. 

    His first two games should mark a relatively gentle introduction to Asian football with Timor Leste at home and Malaysia away – taking six points from those will put the Saudis in a strong position. The real first test comes in October against UAE.

    The next few days will be a perfect opportunity to get to know his players and the issues surrounding this fallen giant of Asian football.

    3) Can Japan recover from a patch of poor form?

    The Asian Cup did not go well for the defending champions as fans of UAE will remember with delight. That quarter-final defeat after a penalty shootout was the last act of Javier Aguirre as coach; Vahid Halidhodzic arrived in February.

    Halilhodzic was frustrated in China.

    The Bosnian started okay but the first qualifier in June at home to Singapore ended in a surprising and disappointing goalless draw. Then came the East Asian Cup in August – Japan finishing last in the tournament behind regional rivals China and the two Koreas.

    Cambodia at home and Afghanistan away (well, in Tehran) offers six points and anything less and the mumblings that have been heard in the media will grow a little louder.

    4) Is Son Heung-min ready to show why he is Asia’s most expensive player?

    Few expected the South Korean to leave Bayer Leverkusen before the end of this transfer window but he did just that, heading to London for sign for Tottenham Hotspur for £22 million (Dh124m). The 23 year-old’s first football act since becoming a Spurs player is to take the field against Laos in a World Cup qualifier.

    As competitive games go, it should be among the more gentle ones that Son will have this season but also gives him a chance to get on the scoresheet.

    He hasn’t really got started this season – though the same could be said for his new club – so a goal or two will do him no harm at all either this Thursday against Laos or five days later with a tougher test in Lebanon.

    5) Can Iraq catch up with Thailand?

    It is crazy to think that Iraq have yet to even set foot on the road to Russia – their first game never happened due to the international suspension of Indonesia.

    It all starts with what should be a routine three points at home to Taiwan, though a problem for the 2007 Asian champions is that there is a complete lack of stability in their coaching situation at present.

    And then there is the fact that an improving Thailand already have six points to their name and five days later comes a big game in Bangkok. It is a great chance for Iraq to close the gap but defeat could almost end their chances of top before they have even begun.

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