Time to strike is now for UAE as golden generation takes first steps on road to 2018 World Cup in Russia

KUALA LUMPUR // It is four years since Beirut 2011, but for the UAE national team Kuala Lumpur 2015 must feel like an altogether different age.

Each of those events, though, mark seminal moments in the country’s quest for World Cup qualification.

It was in the Lebanese capital four years ago that the UAE’s aspirations of a second finals appearance were effectively extinguished, another stab at replicating that fabled 1990 side receiving another hammer blow.

A 3-1 defeat to Lebanon shocked as much as it shook their Group B campaign.

There were another four matches to contest, but the UAE had opened with a loss to Kuwait and their tally stood at zero points from a possible six. The Brazil 2014 dream was over before it had really begun.

Srecko Katanec, the uncharismatic and uncompromising Slovenian, was dismissed as coach an hour after the Beirut match.

As he digested his new employment status, he gave some time to highlighting the squad's deficiencies: capacity and commitment, fitness levels, domestic clubs' preference for foreign strikers.

That last point rang true. Across the 2010 Gulf Cup of Nations, the 2011 Asian Cup and four World Cup qualifiers, the UAE failed to score in seven of 11 matches.

At the time, Ismail Matar represented the only Emirati forward who regularly started for his club, and he was often injured.

Two months later, with Abdullah Misfir in charge, the UAE’s fate was sealed. Twin defeats to South Korea hinted at improvement, however slight, but the country’s World Cup ambitions would have to wait for another cycle.

That next cycle begins on Tuesday against East Timor at Malaysia’s Shah Alam Stadium.

Already, it is a path that appears more negotiable than four years ago or, arguably, than any time since 1990. Unlike in 2011, this is a national team in rude health, buoyed by recent successes and built upon what has been dubbed the golden generation.

Undeniably talented, a large majority of the squad graduated together through various age groups and that is reflected in their play.

While the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign was affected by injuries to key players – Matar and Hamdan Al Kamali, even an emergent Omar Abdulrahman – this current crop undoubtedly has more strength in depth.

While Katanec relied solely on Matar in attack, coach Mahdi Ali has Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout, both now permanent fixtures for club and country, not to mention a surfeit of skilled midfielders behind them.

Consequently, the UAE’s only side to have graced the Olympics also lifted the 2013 Gulf Cup and finished third in January’s Asian Cup – the country’s best performance outside the Emirates.

Underpinning it all, Mahdi Ali has ensured the problems that affected the team in 2011 have been consigned to the past.

Katanec was never truly respected by his players, yet Mahdi Ali is often referred to as a father figure. He, too, has demanded more cooperation between the national team and the Arabian Gulf League clubs, a tension that existed during the previous regime.

Some even suggest Mahdi Ali wields too much power.

Perhaps that is what was required. The UAE may have enjoyed the past few years, but the task ahead is an arduous one.

Since last qualifying for a World Cup, the rise of Asian powers such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and Uzbekistan dictates that Asia has become a much more competitive continent. The road to Russia will be no easy ride.

Group A, comprising Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Malaysia and East Timor, should present enough opportunity to progress, but Round 3 of the qualification process will certainly test the resolve.

The present side will not fear that course – for now – and instead will be focused on the opener in Kuala Lumpur.

They are right to feel optimistic about what lies ahead, for they are in significantly better shape than Beirut 2011.

UAE’s Group A opponents

East Timor

The UAE’s initial opponents are ranked 146th by Fifa and are in the second qualifying round for the first time after two victories against Mongolia in March. In four previous attempts at this stage, East Timor had four defeats. There was more positive news last Thursday, when they opened with a 1-1 draw in Malaysia, a result sealed in injury time. Rodrigo Silva, one of their many naturalised Brazilians, represents Ras Al Khaimah’s Emirates club. He is key to their chances.

Malaysia

The lowest-ranked team in the pool at 162nd, the Malaysians are one of the top South East Asian countries, although they did lose December’s AFF Suzuki Cup final to Thailand. Usually, they fail to make their mark at World Cup level and in 2014 were beaten by Singapore at the second stage of qualifying. Thursday’s draw against East Timor, on paper their easiest fixture, has already dented confidence. Next up is Palestine on Tuesday.

Palestine

Steady progress has marked the Palestinians' recent trajectory, with last year's victory in the AFC Challenge Cup – their first title – sealing a place at January's Asian Cup. In Australia, Palestine exited a difficult group with three defeats, but there is reason for optimism. Their youthful side narrowly lost to Saudi Arabia in last week's first qualifier. They will take heart from the 3-2 loss.

Saudi Arabia

Traditional heavyweights at this level, the four-time World Cup participants have slipped down the Fifa rankings and sit just inside the top 100. Results have been in decline, yet they remain one of the most feared west Asian countries. Expect top spot in the group to be contested between the Saudis and the UAE. They opened their campaign on Thursday by just beating Palestine, courtesy of a goal in the 94th minute. Improvement is needed.

jmcauley@thenational.ae