The UAE head in to on Tuesday’s 2018 World Cup qualifying fixture against Malaysia as heavy favourites, but coach Mahdi Ali has warned his players not to be distracted by playing in front of an empty stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
The game will be played behind closed doors following the crowd trouble that marred the hosts’ previous home game against Saudi Arabia in September.
Sanctions were imposed by world governing body Fifa last month after angry Malaysia fans, still smarting from the humiliating 10-0 thrashing by the UAE five days earlier, fired flares inside the Shah Alam Stadium as Malaysia trailed Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the final minutes of the match on September 8.
Players and officials then hurried from the field and Saudi fans ran from the stands as flares flew around the stadium. Eleven people were arrested but no one was reported injured.
As well as banning fans from the game against the UAE, Fifa issued a 40,000 Swiss francs (Dh151,000) fine to the Football Association of Malaysia and awarded Saudi Arabia a 3-0 win.
Following a 8-0 hammering of East Timor in Abu Dhabi five days ago, Mahdi Ali’s side are second in Group A on 10 points, three behind leaders Saudi Arabia, and start Tuesday’s match as overwhelming favourites.
“I don’t think any team would enjoy playing a World Cup qualifying match without fans but at the same time we don’t want to get too worried on such matters,” Mahdi Ali said.
“We want to just focus on the game. The players must also forget about our previous result against Malaysia because in my opinion there are no easy games in football.
“We are heading for a new game and we need to do it all over again, whether it be Malaysia or any other team.”
Mahdi Ali’s squad will be strengthened by their returning playmaker, Omar Abdulrahman, who was banned for the game against East Timor.
“Omar is always a strength to our squad, but overall I think the team is back to their best,” said the national team coach.
A win tonight will still likely keep UAE second behind Saudi Arabia, who are away to East Timor, with third-place Palestine not in action. Both Saudi Arabia and Palestine are still to travel to Abu Dhabi next year.
The UAE’s final group match, against Saudi Arabia on March 29, is likely to determine who will progress to the next round of World Cup qualifying for Russia 2018, with this campaign also doubling as qualification for the 2019 Asian Cup.
The eight group winners, as well as the best four runners-up, will advance.
There is also a final qualifying stage for one other team.
Mahdi Ali said his team deserve to take part at the finals in Russia.
“Everyone here is eager to play in the World Cup. We deserve to be there,” he said. “I know these players very well. They will not buckle under pressure. Everyone knows their role in achieving our dreams.”
Ong Kim Swee, the Malaysia caretaker coach, said he wants his team to put up a better show than their previous meeting with the UAE and also hinted at his desire for a permanent role with his national team.
“We need a short-term and long-term plan,” he said. “I don’t agree in disbanding the team. We need to keep playing international football because the exposure provides experience.
“We need a transition period where new young players are gradually introduced into the team. We have to be realistic in what we want to achieve next year. You can’t expect immediate results.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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