Dubai: UAE coach Mahdi Ali has resigned after Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat away to Australia left The Whites’ hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia in ruins.
UAEs' World Cup hopes ruined after 2-0 defeat to Australia
The defeat allowed third-place Australia to increase their lead over fourth-placed UAE to four points, with three games remaining.
Only the top two in the group automatically progress to next summer’s World Cup, while the third-place side goes into a cross continental play-off.
And with the UAE’s hopes of even finishing third now seemingly off the table, Ali has issued his resignation.
“Now is the time for me to leave,” said Ali, in the post-match conference.
“I resigned before the Iraq game, the federation asked me to stay. After 5 years I did my best.”
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