Abu Dhabi: Mahdi Ali issued an all-encompassing ‘thank you’ message after seeing his UAE side re-ignite their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualification hopes by beating Iraq 2-0 in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening.
Although the hard-fought victory kept the UAE fourth in Group B in the third and final Asian qualification round for the Russia showpiece, the Whites are now just a point behind leaders Saudi Arabia.
A delighted and relieved Ali said “our position in the group is excellent” after the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium encounter, which the UAE won courtesy of goals from strikers Ahmad Khalil and Esmail Mattar.
The UAE supremo had come under severe criticism after his side lost their previous Group B game 3-0 away to the Saudis, leading to speculation that his four-year tenure was about to end.
He refused to dwell on this on Tuesday evening, however, commenting: “For me, I didn’t think about this issue. My most important thing was to do my duty and win this game.
“This was most important for us. Whether I am with the team or [will] not be with the team, [the] most important [thing] for this period was to win the game. This game was very important for the team, regardless if we continue. For me, I am doing my job and I thank everybody.
“I thank all the leaders I worked with in the federation. I thank everybody for supporting me and giving to me. I thank all the players, my staff, all the fans and all my friends who have trusted in me.
“I think this gives me more motivation. We will see what will happen in the future.”
Only the top two teams in Group B and the other Asian pool, Group A, are guaranteed to qualify for the World Cup — although the two third-place teams could also still progress. They will play each other at home and away for the right to reach an inter-confederation play-off, although the pragmatic Ali is taking it one game at a time.
“As I said before, it is always too early to speak about who will qualify from the group,” added the 51-year-old Emirati, who is attempting to guide the UAE to only their second World Cup. “We have to wait until the final rounds; the teams will cross each other until the end. Maybe some had easier fixtures at the start, but later it will be harder for them.
“This result is on our side, we got the result we wanted. Our situation is still good.”
The UAE produced a disjointed and edgy display against the Iraqis, who pressed relentlessly and carved out some decent chances in the second half.
But Ahmad Khalil’s spectacular volley in the 26th minute — his 15th goal in 13 games, the leading tally in the Asian qualifiers — and Esmail Mattar’s injury-time effort secured a precious win.
“The players did their best and we had the initiative,” said Ali. “We were the better side and we won the game at the end. I wish the future will be better for us.”
Next up for the UAE will be a home game against Japan in March, with the Blue Samurai having rebounded in style from their 2-1 home defeat to the Whites in the first Group B game in September.
They lie second on 10 points, one ahead of the UAE and Australia in third place, after beating the Saudis 2-1 at home on Tuesday.
