Effort, not history, matters for UAE’s Mahdi Ali as they try to breach Saudi Arabia

The national team is yet to win against the rivals but Saudi coach gives advantage to his counterpart on account of familiarity with the players over the years.

Mahdi Ahli speaks to his players during a UAE national football team training session in Doha. October 5. Courtesy UAE FA

Mahdi Ali says the UAE will not be overawed by the task that awaits his side in today’s crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.​

The UAE go into the tie in Jeddah second in Group A after three matches, on seven points and two behind the Saudis, who boast a 100 per cent record. Only the top team in the pool is guaranteed progression to the third round of qualifying. The four best runners-up from the eight groups advance, with the Emiratis have the seventh best tally of the second-placed sides.

Saudi Arabia represent something of a bogey team for the UAE, having failed to defeat their Gulf rivals in eight years – and never before in a competitive encounter in Saudi.

In fact, the Saudis have beaten the UAE in their past six meetings, most recently recording a 3-2 victory in the semi-finals at last November’s Gulf Cup.

That constitutes the only time Mahdi Ali has faced Saudi Arabia as manager of the UAE senior side. However, the Emirati hopes to reverse his country’s fortunes against the four-time World Cup participants, starting with the pivotal clash in what is sure to be a fervent King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

“We are not afraid to meet any team and are used to playing in front of more than 70,000 spectators,” Mahdi Ali said. “I’ve never beaten Saudi Arabia as coach of the UAE, but we were unlucky the last time we played. Hopefully I can get my first win against them tomorrow.

“History may not be in our favour, but it is about the effort and endeavour throughout the entire 90 minutes, not what has happened in the past.

“We achieved all our objectives during the recent camp in Doha, and that will be reflected in our performance. We are prepared to meet Saudi Arabia.”

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The UAE will be without Khamis Esmail, the Al Jazira midfielder who underwent knee surgery late last month, and Walid Abbas, who injured his shoulder for Al Ahli in last week’s Asian Champions League semi-final against Al Hilal.

“In every game I always miss a player or two because of injuries, but everyone is at their peak preparation,” Mahdi Ali said.

“We have no difference between the first choice or the second choice. Our confidence in the players is great and so we realise that any player who makes the starting line-up will fight to achieve the best performance possible.”

The Saudi coach, Bert van Marwijk, highlighted Omar Abdulrahman as the UAE’s chief threat. The Dutchman was installed six weeks ago and has since guided his new side to qualifying victories against East Timor and Malaysia.

“I’ve studied the UAE team and we know the problems provided by Omar Abdulrahman,” Van Marwijk said. “He is the most dangerous player in the team, but I’ve also warned my players about the pace of Ahmad Khalil and Ali Mabkhout.

“The UAE are one of the best teams in the group and in Asia, so my players have to give their all against them to prove that they are also one of the best. Mahdi Ali has an advantage because he has worked with his players for many years, while we are only at the beginning of our journey.”

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