BRISBANE // The opponents are Asia’s top-ranked team. They have never lost to the UAE in a competitive match and will enjoy a huge advantage in fan support today
Asked about those factors yesterday, Mahdi Ali, the UAE coach, responded by saying something along the lines of “bring it on”.
This is an Emirati side, their coach said, who do not fear big teams or big crowds, even when the opposition is an Iranian side who held Nigeria and nearly did the same to Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The UAE can win Group C if they draw with Iran today, but a negative, play-not-to-lose approach – even if it would seem to improve their chances of avoiding Japan in the quarter-finals – is not how this group of Emiratis play football.
“We don’t think about playing for a draw,” Mahdi Ali said. “We have an identity which we always try and preserve.
“Regardless of who we might meet next, we are in the habit of giving everything we have to get a positive result as that will raise the spirit of the team. Iran are a very strong team. They are ranked No 1 in Asia, and I think beating them will give us more motivation.”
The coach also says the huge Iranian support expected at the match at Suncorp Stadium here will inspire his team, not intimidate them.
“During my time with this team, we have played in some big matches,” he said.
“We played in North Korea in front of 50,000 people. Against Uruguay at Old Trafford during the London Olympics, 75,000. Against Great Britain at Wembley, 85,000. This groups enjoys playing in front of big crowds, even when they are opposing fans.
“We always feel that opposition fans supporting their own teams gives us the motivation to lift our game. There is no pressure; our players are used to playing in big atmospheres.”
UAE captain and goalkeeper Majed Naser echoed his coach’s words. “We hope the stadium is full,” he said. “We have players who want to entertain the public and showcase their skills to the world.”
Naser was recalled weeks before the tournament, having played in the two previous Asian Cups. Much has changed since then, he said.
“I’ve played with two generations. I played in Vietnam and Qatar, and there is a big difference now, in all honesty,” the goalkeeper said. “Those teams had a lot of strong players, but we didn’t have the skill. Today, we see the team that coach Mahdi has built. It has skill, speed and intelligence.
“We also have some of the best strikers. Back then, we didn’t have strikers like Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout.
“Today, we go into every match with a winning mentality. That’s the biggest difference.”
And what about Iran’s competitive record against the UAE? Seven won, three drawn, a 14-1 advantage in goals?
Mahdi Ali dimissed those results as irrelevant.
“We talked about this before; I don’t look at past results,” he said. “The situations are different, as are the teams, the location, the tournament, the coaches.
“We are in a good state at the moment, focusing to do our best in this match and to reach our target of becoming one of the best-four teams in Asia.”
Iran and the UAE are both assured a place in the quarter-finals. Each are on six points, but the Emiratis have the superior goal difference.
The top side in Group C will meet the Group D runner-up in the quarter-finals.
it would be a surprise if Japan did not win their group, with Iraq in second. Japan are the Asian Cup holders and four-time champions.
One topic of conversation in Brisbane has been the playing surface at Suncorp Stadium. Australia’s coach, Ange Postecoglou, criticised it after his side’s 1-0 loss to South Korea in Brisbane on Saturday.
Again, Mahdi Ali said he was not concerned.
“Many players and coaches have already spoken about it,” he said. “I just saw it five minutes ago and it’s disappointing.
“But this is the situation and we have to adapt to it. It’s fair, as both teams didn’t train on it. But one of the objectives of the AFC is to improve the level of football. There are many ways to do that, and one of the main factors in this is the field.”
Naser was out of the national team for three years, after several disciplinary issues on the club level, but he played the peacemaker when a shoving match broke out between UAE and Bahrain players.
He was keen to credit those who helped him overcome his own disciplinary problems.
“The technical staff and my fellow players have been very supportive,” Naser said. “My behaviour is due to a promise I made to Mahdi Ali. I won’t say I have upheld the promise yet, but this is part of it.”
akhaled@thenational.ae
UAE V IRAN, head-to-head record
Competitive matches only
1984, December 1: Iran 3-0 (Asian Cup, Singapore)
1988, December 8: Iran 1-0 (Asian Cup, Doha)
1992, November 1: 0-0 (Asian Cup, Hiroshima)
2001, October 25: Iran 1-0 (WC qualifying, Tehran)
2001, October 31: Iran 3-0 (WC qualifying, Abu Dhabi)
2008, June 2: 0-0 (WC qualifying, Tehran)
2008, June 7: Iran 1-0 (WC qualifying, Al Ain)
2008, November 19: 1-1 (WC qualifying, Dubai)
2009, June 10: Iran 1-0 (WC qualifying, Tehran)
2011, January 19: Iran 3-0 (Asian Cup, Doha)
Iran: won seven, drawn three, lost none.
Cumulative score: Iran 14, UAE 1
The UAE’s one goal was scored by Abdulrahim Jumaa at the Maktoum Stadium, giving them their only lead in the 19th minute. Karim Bagheri equalised in the 81st.
* Paul Oberjuerge
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