Ali Khaled

Abdulrahman was again at the heart of everything the UAE did, Ali Khaled writes, and his pass that set up Ali Mabkhout’s goal after only 14 seconds was as close to perfection as you will see on a football pitch.

The UAE are on the verge of qualifying for the Asian Cup quarter-finals after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Gulf rivals Bahrain in Canberra.

Mahdi Ali insists his players 'have a mission' and will not be looking ahead to a match with Iran when they play Bahrain on Thursday at the Asian Cup.

Ali Khaled writes that while it's tempting to look forward to a match with Iran that could determine Asian Cup Group C winners, the UAE cannot afford to overlook Bahrain on Thursday – and they're aware of that.

More than a dozen players have been under the guidance of the Emirati coach since 2004 and the chemistry has become evident at the Asian Cup, writes Ali Khaled.

South Korea blanked Kuwait on Tuesday to all but assure they would reach the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in Australia, winning 1-0.

Something seems to have changed in the 50-year-old Emirati manager since he has landed in Australia, writes Ali Khaled.

For Mahdi Ali and his group of players, the time has come to deliver on a long-held promise, writes Ali Khaled from Australia.

Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout each scored twice on Sunday as UAE routed Qatar 4-1 in their opening match at the 2015 Asian Cup, a result that will vastly increase their chances of advancing ouf the group stage.

Ahmed Khalil steps up yet again for Mahdi Ali and the UAE at Asian Cup.

Mahdi Ali gave his squad a clean bill of health and delivered the news that every Emirati football fan wanted to hear – midfield playmaker Omar Abdulrahman is fit for the UAE’s Asian Cup opener against Qatar.

Australia overcame an early goal from Kuwait to march past their Group A rivals with a 4-1 victory and open their Asian Cup campaign on home soil.

The UAE made their only Asian Cup final, a match that ended in a goalless draw before Saudi Arabia won in a shootout. Ali Khaled goes back in time.

Australia became only the fourth host nation to win on opening night of the continental championship. Ali Khaled reports from Melbourne.

'World sporting hub' has opportunity to showcase Australia's embrace of football, writes Ali Khaled