Brazil 2014 was too soon, Russia 2018 has arrived at just the right juncture for UAE’s ‘golden generation’

Khamis Esmail delivered it with a smile, as much to do with what he considers his limited grasp of English than the point he was trying to convey, but the sentiment was clear. "This group has played everything: Olympics, Gulf Cup, Asian Cup. Only the World Cup is left," the UAE midfielder said. " We have to fight in these two games , because in four more years nobody knows if we will stay together or not. “That’s why it’s very important for us. We have played so many competitions, but we need this.” Esmail was right. The UAE need to clinch a spot at the World Cup in two years’ time, their heralded bunch of young Emiratis needs to deliver on their potential, needs to make sure this second incarnation of a so-called “golden generation” secures the country’s second appearance at football’s showpiece event. A team that’s nucleus has remained a constant, through various successes at different age-group levels, has steadily evolved. The ascent has been obvious, the progression almost unchecked. Olympics, Gulf Cup of Nations, Asian Cup. The World Cup is the natural next step. Australia last year, where the UAE built upon their debut at the Olympic Games in London 2012 and their 2013 Gulf Cup win, seemed particularly significant. Taking bronze, it represented their best Asian Cup performance on foreign soil. The quarter-final victory against Japan, albeit built on commendable fortitude and a degree of good fortune, felt like a watershed moment. There, the UAE defeated a true Asian heavyweight, proved an emergent side had the requisite talent and tenacity to thrive on the big stage. A place at the 2018 World Cup is the logical forward move, but the road to Russia is long and laborious. First, the UAE must defeat Palestine on Thursday and then Saudi Arabia next Tuesday. Do that, and they stand a chance of topping Group A and therefore guarantee their continuation to the final stage of qualification. Russia would edge that little bit closer. For so long a distant dream, a global finals would be within reach. Yet it requires another mighty effort. Palestine are inferior, but still can cause the UAE problems, while the Saudis have always claimed to carry West Asia’s greatest threat. The UAE’s current crop was supposed to change that. It boasts the reigning Asian Footballer of the Year, in Ahmed Khalil, and is steered by arguably the continent’s prize jewel, Omar Abdulrahman. Around him, there buzzes a stellar support cast. Put plainly, the UAE have to advance to the final round, have to maintain hopes of realising that ambition. If Brazil 2014 was too soon for this side, Russia 2018 appears just the right juncture, where the evolution will peak. After that, no one knows if their gilded generation will sustain, if the slide will set in. There should be more talent to come through, evidenced by gifted youngsters at Al Jazira in particular, but the recent Under 23s disappointment underlines that this UAE team are best placed to reach a World Cup. It is an opportunity they must seize, beginning with Palestine and Saudi Arabia, equally as important, five days apart. As Esmail stressed, they need it. Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport

Brazil 2014 was too soon, Russia 2018 has arrived at just the right juncture for UAE’s ‘golden generation’

The UAE need to clinch a spot at the World Cup in two years’ time, their heralded bunch of young Emiratis needs to deliver on their potential.