UAE coach Mahdi Ali gave an interview to Arabic-language newspaper Al Kahleej, which was reproduced on the Football Association website. Here are five key points made by the senior team coach:
On the UAE’s 2018 World Cup preparations
“The World Cup qualifying campaign is long, so we need a clear programme for the league and international fixtures that is not altered every day,” Mahdi Ali said.
“Yes, we have a generation capable of reaching the World Cup, but to achieve the dream there has to be sacrifices from all parties.”
After calling for the cooperation of clubs and the football league, the coach said he will wait until Fifa’s qualifying draw is made, on April 11, before finalising his own plans.
“Once we find out who we play, and when, we will present our final schedule,” he said. “It depends on time zones and how far we have to travel, as well as many other small details.”
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On criticism the national team has disrupted the Arabian Gulf League
“I prepare the national team’s schedule and I send it to the Football Association, which passes it on to the Pro League Committee,” Mahdi Ali said.
“Then we agree on the get-togethers, but I must make it clear that the decision on what days league matches take place is not my decision. It is not my responsibility.”
He also dismissed suggestions that national-team camps have kept players away from their clubs for long periods.
“The manager is always looking to have the best preparation for his players. What I care for is the players’ level on match day, not four months earlier,” he said.
“I need a certain period with them. Some are not first choice for their clubs, others play in different positions. That’s why we need friendlies and we need to play some of them near the time of the official matches. There are other factors, as well, like travelling seven or nine hours to different time zones.”
On improving the Arabian Gulf League
“As far as the league is concerned, there has to be a higher tempo to the games, also more actual playing time,” he said.
“Referees have to perform to the level that we face on Asian level. Play has to stop after certain stoppages. In the league, there are many stoppages. Referees have a big role here, as do the coaches.”
He said he believes that a higher intensity of play will raise the standards of the players and, in turn, improve the national team.
“The pace of the league is slow; improvement is needed to reach international level,” he said. “The average playing time for a league match here is 47 minutes.”
He said the minutes of playing time should be closer to an hour; the Asian Cup saw five matches with more than 60 minutes of playing time, two of which involved the UAE (against Japan and Australia).
On sticking to a trusted group of players and ignoring others
“Since I took over I have called on 50 players,” he said. “Some are young players we are preparing for the future and others that had already played for the national team.
“I always pick the most technical group and that can always be debated. If you asked 100 coaches to pick the squad no two will be the same. That’s normal; each coach has his own opinions.”
On Emiratis playing in Europe
“The time has come for players to take this step, which will lead to raising their standards, technically and physically,” he said.
Mahdi Ali’s words came days after his star player, Omar Abdulrahman, the most coveted Emirati player, signed a new contract tying him to Al Ain until 2018, past his 27th birthday.
“Technically, the Emirati player is capable of playing professionally abroad, in Europe, particularly,” he said. “But the player must realise playing in Europe will be difficult. He must have the desire to endure difficulties, like different weather, food, physical aspects, culture and language.
“We can’t judge if our players can succeed except through experience. It’s a positive move, we must back the players to reach that target, which will be a massive change for them and will reflect positively on the national team.”
He said Emirati players going abroad will cause some pain for clubs and athletes.
“Clubs must sacrifice, too, to allow their players to leave, and players must know from the start that they will not receive the financial packages they get here. They must accept that being a professional abroad means starting with a low salary before reaching millions.”
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