Ali Salmeen calls on crowd to give UAE strength in Asian Cup semi-final against Qatar

Capacity crowd at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday can inspire the tournament hosts, insists the midfielder

UAE forward Ali Mabkhout al Hajeri celebrates with his teammate Bandar al Ahbabi after scoring his side's opening goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AP

UAE players greet the fans after their victory during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AFP

UAE forward Ali Mabkhout scores during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AFP

UAE's players celebrate their opening goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AFP

UAE forward Ali Mabkhout scores during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AFP

Young Emirati fans cheer during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AFP

Emirati supporters wave the national flag during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AFP

Japanese referee Ryuji Sato whistles for full time as players celebrate during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. AFP

UAE forward Ali Mabkhout scores during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between UAE and Australia at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. AFP

Players of UAE celebrate after the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between Australia and UAE in Al Ain. EPA

Players of Australia react after the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between Australia and UAE in Al Ain. EPA

Players of UAE greet their fans after the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between Australia and UAE in Al Ain. EPA

A UAE fan celebrates after the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final match between Australia and UAE in Al Ain. EPA

Support from the stands can inspire the UAE to victory in Tuesday’s Asian Cup semi-final against Qatar, according to midfielder Ali Salmeen.

The Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is expected to be a sellout for the clash between the hosts and their Qatari opponents, as the UAE seek to reach the continental showpiece for only the second time in history.

The national team, who finished top of their group, secured their place in the last four courtesy of a spirited 1-0 victory against defending champions Australia in Al Ain last Friday. The official attendance for the match was recorded at 25,053, with a near-capacity crowd at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium cheering the UAE to the win.

Salmeen hopes for even more of a push in the capital on Tuesday, with the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium holding close to 41,000 spectators. On Sunday, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council gave away 18,000 tickets to fans for free.

Asked on Monday if he had a message from the UAE team to supporters, Salmeen said: “I think that our fans don’t need a message because they were with us from the beginning and I thank them for their support.

“I can say that they are the strength from which we can be inspired on the pitch. In the last game they came in huge numbers, so we hope in the next game there will be double those fans.”

Against Qatar, Salmeen will most likely once more start in midfield for the UAE, a role in which he has excelled of late – most notably in the quarter-final with Australia. The Al Wasl star, 23, was one of the standouts and has now played in all five of his side's matches this tournament.

However, Salmeen knows the size of the task that awaits, especially since Qatar have won their five matches this month and have still not conceded a goal. In their quarter-final, they upset the much-fancied South Korea in Abu Dhabi to triumph 1-0.

“This game will be a crucial game for me,” said Salmeen, sitting alongside UAE manager Albero Zaccheroni. “It’s a semi-final, and it’s very important because it’s being played in my country. My ambition is to get over this game and reach the final and win the title.

“As the coach has said, we are very well prepared for this game. Our focus is mainly on this game. We need to get over this one so we can reach the final.”

The UAE have only once previously contested the Asian Cup final, when they last hosted the tournament, in 1996. Then, they lost to Saudi Arabia on penalties. Four years ago, the national team took bronze in Australia – their best result on foreign soil.