Khamis Esmail insists it is time for him and his team-mates to turn potential into progress as they bid to become just the second UAE side ever to grace the World Cup finals.
The Whites face a crucial qualifying double-header against Palestine tomorrow and Saudi Arabia next Tuesday, and two wins would put them firmly on the road to Russia 2018.
Many of Mahdi Ali’s current stars have played together in the national team set-up for several years,
All three played for Ali when he took the UAE to the Olympic Games in London four years ago, and Al Ahli midfielder Esmail believes the time has now come to prove themselves.
“I think this group has played everything together, the Olympics, Gulf Cup, Asian Cup, but now we want this and have to fight for these two games otherwise if we don’t win then we are out,” said the 26-year-old, who moved from Al Jazira to Rashid Stadium in January.
“This is very important. If we don’t win we are out and in another four years who knows if we will still be playing or not. That is the reason why these two games are very important for us.”
Esmail plays in the heart of midfield for both club and country and has described the Whites as a close-knit unit, who will fight together like a family to reach the World Cup – something a UAE team last managed and for the only time 26 years ago at Italia ‘90.
“We are like a family and can do anything in this team, we’ve been together seven or eight years and we are like one big family, we fight because we need this, we’ve played in so many cups together but we need to fight for this,” he said.
“Coach Mahdi is like our father, our big brother, he always tries to do better and helps us to qualify and we will do our best for him. Always when we are under pressure, we do something good.”
Al Ain defender Mohanad Salem echoed Esmail’s words that the players realise their relative youth, combined with their experience of playing together for so long, can help them achieve something special by qualifying for Russia.
“This team has been together from youth and most are at an age now where they can qualify and do something good for the country,” said the 31-year-old.
“These two matches are very important, if we win we qualify so for sure it’s very important to be prepared for it. It will be great to qualify, we are waiting for these two games and will do whatever it takes to win.”
Salem usually plays in the same back five for both club and country and also believes that continuity can be a calming presence as the players strive for greatness.
“It’s a positive point that the defence is all together at Al Ain. It helps the team to qualify and do well to save the team from goals,” he said.