UAE faces must-win game against Iran

Dubai: The UAE face their last chance to revive hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup when they face Iran on Wednesday night.

After losing all three matches the UAE have played so far - to North Korea 2-1, Saudi Arabia 2-1 and South Korea 4-1 - the team are at bottom of Group B.

The match, which kicks off at the Al Maktoum stadium at 7.15pm, is a must win.

A defeat or a draw means they will be out of the World Cup race and will have to turn to preparations for the 19th Gulf cup in Oman next January.

"I hope we make things difficult for them and score the first win against Iran in the World cup qualifiers," said UAE coach Dominique Bathenay after Iran coach Ali Daei said the match would be difficult for Iran.

UAE have never defeated Iran in an official match since they met for the first time in the early 1980s.

Bathenay said the UAE's defence had not been good enough in the last matches, conceding eight goals in three qualifiers.

The UAE coach said: "But we suffered from the absence of some key defenders who were either suspended or injured.

"I hope the defence will be in a good condition today and in the Gulf cup in January."

Bathenay said the absence of midfielders Ali Abbas and Sibait Khatir, who were dismissed for disciplinary reasons by the national team committee, would have an effect.

"Their absence will act as a stimulus because they are key players, but it's good to replace them with Salim Khamis who is a talented midfielder and Yousuf Jaber," said Bathenay.

"Anyhow I have to play with what's in my hand to achieve a good result in today's tough clash," Bathenay said.

The UAE frontline will be led by Esmail Mattar along with Esmail Hammady, while in midfield there will be Abdul Rahim Juma, Abdullah Mal Allah, Mohammad Sheh'hy.

The defence will feature Mohammad Qasim, Obaid and Hayda Allo Ali with Majid Naser in goal.

Results

Iran enter the game with four points from two matches after they drew 1-1 away to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and beat North Korea 2-1 in Tehran.

Ali Daei, the Iran coach, said his team would qualify for the World cup if they beat UAE in Dubai and managed to beat South Korea in Tehran.

"I respect the UAE squad and I know they have good players, but we came here to get the three points of the match," said Daei.

"The UAE has been defeated in all its three matches and undoubtedly has a great motivation to beat Iran, but we need the points as well."

Iran will be led by their players from European clubs. They are Wahid Hashimian and Mehdi Mahdavikia, who came from Germany, while Jawad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei, arrived from Spain.