UAE ready for World Cup challenge against Japan
ABU DHABI — The UAE will be raring to have a go at Japan as they start their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying rounds at the Saitama Stadium on Thursday. “This is the last chance for this generation of players to qualify to the World Cup,” national coach Mahdi Ali said at a Press conference on Wednesday.
“Maybe these players won’t get another chance in 2022. So, they won’t let this go.”
Playmaker Omar Abdulrahman, Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed Khalil are all in prime form and will be ready for the Japanese challenge.
In their last meeting, the Whites beat the Samurai Blue on penalties during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Sydney. The UAE will be happy to bag a similar result or even a draw, especially with Japan playing at home before a capacity crowd. But Mahdi Ali said past results count for nothing and Thursday was a ‘new game’.
The UAE had held preparatory camp in Spain and China whereas Japan started their camp only on Sunday. And Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic said most of his players were either rusty or fatigued.
Hertha Berlin striker Genki Haraguchi and Sevilla midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake joined the team on Tuesday. “They (UAE) have had two months to prepare and we have only had a couple of days but that doesn’t mean we are not fired up,” Halilhodzic said at Saitama Stadium on Wednesday.
“Haraguchi and Kiyotake have slept well and are rested but it is a difficult situation.”
Also, other players are struggling with injuries and fatigue. “Lots of players in Europe have just begun their season and unfortunately not all of them started for their teams,” the coach said. “I had a hard time trying to come up with this squad.”
Halilhodzic said the hot weather has taken its toll on players. “But ... I am sure they will be ready. It is not going to be easy but we have the quality and experience.”
“UAE are a good team but we are well prepared off the pitch. We have watched video footage of them and analysed them, so we know their strengths and shortcomings.”
The UAE Football Association has launched ‘Together We Can’ campaign to support the national team and Association president Marwan bin Ghalita is in Tokyo to support his boys. He also attended the practice session on Wednesday.
Others in Group B are Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Thailand. Following the group match, the national team will leave for Dubai as they prepare to face Australia at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on September 6. Japan will take on Thailand on September 6.