ABU DHABI // Mahdi Ali has backed his UAE side to cope with the level of expectation on Thursday when they resume their bid to reach the 2018 World Cup.
The Emirates host Thailand in the Group B encounter at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium needing to respond from last month's 1-0 home defeat to Australia.
The UAE have three points from two fixtures in the third and final qualification stage for Russia after beginning their campaign with a superb 2-1 victory against Japan in Saitama. The promising start has thus raised hopes of a second World Cup appearance for the UAE, who have participated only in 1990.
Three points against Thailand are seen as crucial to that quest, especially since the UAE then take on Gulf rivals Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday. The top two sides in the six-team group automatically qualify — the UAE are currently fourth — while finishing third would mean they have to navigate a series of play-offs to book a place at the global finals.
More from 2018 World Cup qualifying:
• UAE v Thailand: Mahdi Ali knows not to overlook this opponent before pivotal Saudi Arabia tie
• Scouting report: Assessing Thailand's players ahead of the UAE's 2018 World Cup qualifier
• Info guide for UAE v Thailand: Tickets, time and general info
Thailand could present the UAE with a few problems, despite being ranked 69 places in the world below their opponents at 135th. The Asean champions performed well in their opening two group matches and were unlucky to be beaten 1-0 by Saudi before losing 2-0 at home to Japan.
However, Mahdi Ali is confident the UAE can rise to the occasion in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
“We’ve gotten used to playing under pressure; we’ve gotten used to playing decisive matches when the only scenario is to win,” he said. “We have very experienced players, who have played together and with me for a long time. They can deal with the pressure by carrying out exactly their task, by performing at their best for the entire 90 minutes and by following closely our tactics to help the team. After that, everything will be fine.
“We know these two matches are very important, that they are crucial and will play a big role in deciding the shape of this group. Thailand are a good team, who have performed well in this group. But we focus on only ourselves — our performance is the most important for us.
“We are also one of the biggest teams in Asia and so want to win this game. We have some injury problems, but in general, we are ready. I have full trust in all the players.”
Those fitness concerns include Khalid Essa and Ali Kasheif, with both goalkeepers out injured. Ahmed Dida and Mohammed Yousef, from Baniyas and Sharjah respectively, have been called up, although Al Ahli’s Majed Naser will start in goal.
Meanwhile, Ahli’s Khamis Esmail has recovered to take his place in central midfield, while a late decision will be made on club colleague Ahmed Khalil. The striker, who scored both goals against Japan last month, did not train with the squad from Saturday to Tuesday.
Nevertheless, Mahdi Ali said the fact the UAE domestic season is now into its fifth week means his players will be well equipped to deal with the Thailand threat.
“Of course, that’s very important because we started the season with an official match against Japan,” he said. “The players will be in better shape, which gives us more confidence they will perform better tomorrow.”
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