KSA vs UAE preview: Whites out to end woeful record

Matt Jones - Editor 00:14 11/10/2016
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  • It is billed as a make or break tie for both sides.

    The Whites have an abysmal record against their Gulf neighbours, tasting victory just five times in 34 meetings since 1972. They have never won on Saudi soil and their last victory in this fixture was nearly a decade ago. A seven-game losing streak against the Green Falcons was finally halted in March when Omar Abdulrahman netted in a 1-1 draw in Abu Dhabi.

    The 62,241 capacity King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah is expected to be nearly full when the two sides meet on Tuesday, but Ali has described the Saudi stronghold as a “second home” ahead of the crucial encounter.

    “We are not afraid of the audience,” insists Ali, who also claims he does not pay attention to the history books. We will be okay with the big audience and are not afraid to face it. This is our second home.

    “I don’t think about history, that’s in the past. We’ll try to change this record.”

    The last four times they met...

    • March 29, 2016: UAE 1-1 KSA
    • October 8, 2015: KSA 2-1 UAE
    • April 1, 2009: KSA 3-2 UAE
    • September 10, 2008: UAE 1-2

    The UAE lie third in Group B in the penultimate round of 2018 World Cup qualifying, level on points with Japan and a point behind Australia and Tuesday’s opponents.

    With three games gone and seven left to play, Ali also downplayed the significance of this result.

    “There is no difference between the teams at the top; UAE, Australia, Saudi and Japan. The difference is only one point, which is nothing at all. Nothing will be decided in the first round of fixtures,” added the 51-year-old.

    “In the second round everything will change because some of the teams will have to travel a long way. That will assist in deciding the fate of the group. It’s a very important match for both teams, [but] the group will not be decided by this, the qualification will not be confirmed until the final moments.”

    Saudi’s Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk is looking forward to a “special” game between old foes.

    “It’s a special game against an opponent who also wants to go to Russia,” said the 64-year-old former Netherlands and Borussia Dortmund manager. “It’s also a derby. We’re neighbours. So for several reasons this is a special game. We are looking forward to it.

    “These are two teams who know each other very well and don’t have secrets for each other. They have none for us and the other way round it’s the same.”

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