‘No easy matches in World Cup qualifiers’
KHALIL SAYS NO COMPLACENCY BEFORE MALAYSIA TIE The Al Ahli striker became the leading goalscorer in the Asian Football Confederation qualifying section with 9 strikes in five games. His goals have propelled the UAE to second place in Asian zone.
By Chief Sports Writer, Abu Dhabi
Ahmad Khalil, the UAE’s scoring machine, has warned “there are no easy games” as the Whites prepare to face Malaysia tomorrow, two-and-a-half months after hammering them 10-0 in Abu Dhabi.
The frontman scored four goals in that 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier — the UAE’s secondhighest victory — and equalled that tally in Thursday’s 8-0 home rout of East Timor.
In so doing, the Al Ahli striker became the leading goalscorer in the Asian Football Confederation qualifying section with nine strikes in five games. His goals have propelled the UAE to second place in Asian zone Group A, three points behind Saudi Arabia, but Khalil is not complacent about tomorrow’s encounter with opponents who have conceded 26 goals in six pool games.
Of the game, which will be held behind closed doors at the Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lumpur following crowd trouble that forced the abandonment of the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia clash in September, Khalil said: “There are no easy games and all the players are aware that all upcoming matches are mustwin games. We do not think about the [10-0] result of the first match, which is part of the past, but we are fully focused on achieving another victory.”
Must-win games
UAE coach Mahdi Ali says his side must win their final three games — they host third-placed Palestine on March 24 and Saudi Arabia five days later — to reach the third and final qualifying round for Russia 2018.
Khalil said: “Are we thinking about the Saudi game in March? No, we are taking things step by step. It will be a crucial match that will be a big factor for the future of both of us to see who qualifies for the third and final qualifying round.”
The 24-year-old said the UAE have learnt lessons having dropped points to Palestine and Saudi Arabia in September, following a 0-0 draw and 2-1 defeat away, respectively.
In an interview with the Arabic press, he added: “We feel a greater sense of responsibility now for our fans.”
Khalil is delighted he and his teammates delivered “a strong performance” due to the home support against East Timor, particularly in the second half, when the UAE’s prodigious “scoring power” told via five goals.
“We had great moral support from the fans in the stands and those watching on TV,” he said.
On a club level, Khalil admits Saturday’s second leg of the Asian Champions League final away to Guangzhou Evergrande promises to be a “tough” encounter, after the powerful Chinese outfit drew 0-0 in Dubai last week.
But he insisted: “We have to stick to our hope of winning for UAE football and it’s not an impossible task. We won’t have many opportunities [to score], but we will put all our effort and focus into achieving a victory for the UAE.”