DUBAI // With the formality of a three-year contract extension seen to, Mahdi Ali immediately turned his attention to the World Cup qualifiers starting in June.
The UAE national team coach then called on everyone involved in Emirati football to get behind the bid to get to Russia 2018 and then to win the 2019 AFC Asian Cup on home soil.
“Hopefully we can achieve the dream for a second time after 1990,” the coach said, referring to the UAE’s only appearance at football’s greatest event.
“This generation deserves to play in a World Cup. That will be the gateway to achieve our targets in the Asian Cup the following year.
“Many are saying that since it is being held here we should win it and we all know this. The big targets are achieved by getting to the small targets first.”
The coach said 18 matches might be necessary to qualify for Russia 2018 and also played up the importance of the 2016 Gulf Cup in Kuwait as a stepping stone to those bigger targets.
“None of this will be achieved without sacrifices,” he said. “Whether from players, FA or clubs.
“We have strategy in place, but there is a big difference between league and international matches. The team needs to be prepared for a higher level.”
The UAE had two matches planned during the current international break, but the games went by the board because the Arabian Gulf Super Cup was rescheduled for Friday.
“When we saw they needed time, we decided to cooperate,” Mahdi Ali said. “We had planned two matches, against Ukraine and Colombia, but, as we said, there was no time. We thought it was to the benefit of everyone not to have an international get-together.”
He noted also that 14 regular members of the national team play for Al Ahli and Al Ain, the Super Cup participants.
The draw for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers takes place on April 14 and first matches are scheduled for June 11 and 16; Mahdi Ali hoped his compromise would be reciprocated by the Arabian Gulf League and the clubs at the end of the season.
The league season ends on May 10, which could have left a gap of several weeks ahead of the national team’s training camp. The gap was bridged by placing the President’s Cup after the league season, with the round of 16 set for May 15.
“I hope the clubs are OK with that and there is an understanding with this situation so that when the international get-together happens there will be no issues,” he said.
“There shouldn’t be any big disruptions for the clubs, just cup games taking place instead of league matches.”
Mahdi Ali said he accepted that criticism is part of the game and that he is happy to listen to it if it is constructive.
“If you weigh everything up the criticism is nothing compared to the praise we have received,” he said.
“If I answer every query we won’t have time to do anything. During the tournament we avoid all that, so it does not affect our preparation. After the tournament maybe I can take some of it on board.”
Mahdi Ali dismissed suggestions he favours a core group of players that he has developed over the years over other players.
“Stability is needed in all teams, Australia won the Asian Cup by using around 14,” he said. “If I use more than 14, people will say we have no stability.
“In every camp we always invite one or two youth or Olympic team players.
“This way we get an idea about them and they get an idea of how we work, because in the future we will rely on them.”
The coach again stressed the benefits that his team would gain from having Emiratis in top European leagues
“In 2008, we played Australia in the semi-final of the U19 AFC Asian Cup. They had no players playing in Europe,” he said. “The team we played in the semi-final this year had 14 playing in Europe.
“I think the time has come for Emirati players to play professionally abroad. By playing against experienced, strong players all the time, it would, of course, help the national team.”
akhaled@thenational.ae
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