Higher-ranked opponents will have to be conquered on the UAE’s long road to the 2018 World Cup. Yet yesterday’s 0-0 draw at Palestine proved they possess the mettle and maturity to get the job done. 

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There was to be no repeat of Omar Abdulrahman’s inspired winner at Timor-Leste or the flowing football from Thursday’s 10-0 dismantling of Malaysia.

The poignancy of the second-round contest for the dogged hosts and their desire to keep qualification hopes alive prevented those scenarios.

A controlled performance which bore the hallmark of a squad who have complete focus followed from Mahdi Ali’s men. Only a wasteful late header from Al Ahli forward Ahmed Khalil should cause regret.

With the defining trip to Saudi Arabia next up in October, the platform has been laid for progression.

This was the biggest test of the UAE’s mental strength since November’s Gulf Cup semi-final defeat to hosts Saudi Arabia. The Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium’s bouncy artificial pitch, hostile atmosphere and dilapidated stands were a world away from the fine surfaces at home and the Australian venues which saw the charge to third place in the Asian Cup. 

The Lions of Canaan’s supporters crammed into the venue were whipped up by a sense of history and occasion.

They were witnessing their first competitive home fixture in four years, the first-ever group-stage qualifier for the globe’s premier football tournament and the debut of a fellow Arab nation on their territory at this stage.

Progression to Russia was also on their minds – Palestine are determined to turn a potential two-way fight for a third-round spot into a three-way battle. 

The visit of the Group A leaders who are ranked 49 places ahead by FIFA and possess several of the continent’s most-celebrated players did not faze them.

Whites boss Ali was astute from the start, Al Ahli tyro Majid Hassan excelling in a two-man defensive midfield which gained enthusiasm-dampening possession.

This came at a cost, chances at a premium throughout five days after the 10-0 annihilation of Malaysia. The status quo was not truly threatened until the final 15 minutes, an early Ismail Ahmed header aside.

Dead balls at either end saw lone Palestine centre forward Matias Jadue head wastefully over from a corner, before Asian Cup top scorer Ali Mabkhout could not quite reach Omar Abdulrahman’s free-kick.

The landmark chance of a tight affair was spurned by Khalil on 79 minutes. The Al Ain playmaker again was the source, a delightfully-weighted long ball being headed wide from close-range.

There was still time to see Khalil threaten from 20 yards before the whistle was blown on a tense match neither could countenance losing.

Elsewhere, flare-throwing fans halted Malaysia’s World Cup qualifier with Saudi Arabia as anger boiled over following last week’s record 10-0 defeat to UAE, which has left the team in crisis.

Militant ‘Ultras Malaya’ fans who had earlier threatened to disrupt the game hurled flares billowing orange smoke towards the pitch in the final minutes, as the hosts trailed 2-1 in the Group A match.

Players and officials were escorted to the dressing rooms and Saudi supporters were also seen leaving Shah Alam Stadium before the match was finally abandoned.

Police said 11 people had been arrested on charges of rioting.