Mahdi Ali best person to lead UAE football team to World Cup, FA says after contract renewal

The UAE received a boost late on Wednesday, when it was confirmed that national team coach Mahdi Ali had signed a new three-year contract. The deal takes him through to the summer of 2018. John McAuley reports.

Coach Mahdi Ali will be in charge of the UAE national football team through 2018. Courtesy UAE FA

The UAE received a boost late on Wednesday, when it was confirmed that national team coach Mahdi Ali had signed a new three-year contract. The deal takes him through to the summer of 2018.

Track record

Having already achieved significant success with various age-groups sides, including guiding the Under 23s to their first Olympics Games, in 2012, Mahdi Ali led the senior team to the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations title. Last November’s defence of the trophy ended at the semi-final stage.

Continental success

Targeting the semi-finals at last month’s Asian Cup, Mahdi Ali delivered as the UAE came third – their best finish on foreign soil. They defeated Japan, the holders, in the quarter-finals, before bowing out to hosts Australia in the last four. A 3-2 play-off victory against Iraq secured third place.

Contract rumours

With his current deal expiring in July, there was speculation Mahdi Ali would not extend his tenure with the UAE. However, he agreed to another three years and will attempt to mastermind the UAE’s qualification for the 2018 Fifa World Cup. The road to Russia begins this June.

First-choice coach

“Mahdi is the best person to lead the team,” said Mohammed Hazzam Al Dhaheri, the Football Association’s general secretary. “He has known the players and worked with them for many years, is a local coach, and we always support a local coach.”

Timing of new deal

“We didn’t renew before the Asian Cup because we wanted Mahdi Ali to concentrate on the tournament,” Al Dhaheri said. “After that, we always planned to evaluate his performance. That came back as excellent, so both parties agreed to the contract. That he delivered on his promise of making the semi-final was a factor.”

Upward trend

“If you go back to 1996, when we finished second, we beat teams like Saudi Arabia and Oman,” Al Dhaheri said. “However, in Australia we defeated the last winner of the tournament and competed against Australia. This is all credit to the team and Mahdi Ali. We’re 66th in Fifa’s rankings and fifth in Asia, which we are very happy about. The coach is going well; we’re on a good track.”

Finals focus

“We’re looking to the future,” Al Dhaheri said. “We’re all now preparing for World Cup qualification, so our concentration is on our next camp and our international friendlies, which we’ll announce soon. We’ve got the best man in hand, the best team in hand – we always call it our Golden Generation. We wish them all the best and hope to qualify for Russia.”

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