Tuesday cover: All to play for UAE in 2018 World Cup qualifier

Cover design by Matt Smith for The National

Omar Abdulrahman makes it to The National Sport front page on Tuesday, November 15, as the UAE football star prepares for his team's 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Iraq.

Abdulrahman is getting ready for one of the most challenging weeks of his career. He will lead the Emirates into their fifth Group B qualifier at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night, before swapping national jersey for club shirt when the Arabian Gulf League side Al Ain fly to Jeonju, South Korea, for the first leg of the Asian Champions League final against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday.

But for now the playmaker will be focused on Tuesday's game – which will be covered for us by John McAuley – as the UAE will likely need to beat Iraq to keep their World Cup dream alive. Mahdi Ali's men, who are fourth in their group with six matches to go, have beaten Japan and Thailand but lost to Australia and Saudi Arabia.

Only two teams from either of the two Asian groups qualify directly for the global competition, while the third-placed side from each group will be involved in another round of qualification with teams from the other continents.

For UAE manager Mahdi Ali's remarks ahead of the game, click here.

For Iraq manager Radhi Shenaishil's remarks, click here.

For McAuley's 'opposition scout report' and a match-up rail, click here.

For our landing page on the UAE's 'Road to Russia', click here.

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