The time has arrived for the UAE’s celebrated ‘Golden Generation’ to repay a favour owed to a man who has done more for them than anyone else.
If rumours are to be believed, another slip up during tonight’s pressurised World Cup 2018 qualifier against Iraq will lead to the termination of coach Mahdi Ali’s groundbreaking four-year tenure. Such are the stakes as the dream of making the trip to Russia recedes by the result, with the nation outside the progression spots in fourth after last month’s 3-0 whipping in Saudi Arabia.
The 51-year-old’s generous nurturing has seen his favoured charges become rich in reputation and renumeration. The likes of Al Ain superstar Omar Abdulrahman and feared Al Jazira hot-shot Ali Mabkhout must deliver at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium –
The bond between the paternal supremo and many members of his squad was forged nearly a decade ago in the youth ranks.
They have gone from 2008 AFC U-19 Championship winners, to London 2012 Olympic breakout stars, 2013 Gulf Cup champions, astounding third-placed finishers at the 2015 Asian Cup and competitors in the final round to make the globe’s grandest sporting event.
Along the way, Al Ahli forward Ahmed Khalil made history last year as the first Emirati to become AFC Player of the Year. Abdulraman is now the clear favourite to make it back-to-back wins on December 1 at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel.
Such success is unprecedented in the recent history of a nation which had struggled for relevance on the international stage since making their one-and-only appearance at the World Cup in 1990.
Managers of the renown of Carlos Queiroz, Roy Hodgson and Dick Advocaat have all flopped where Ali has soared. Not even the sorely missed Bruno Metsu could build on the 2007 Gulf Cup of Nations-triumph inspired in such thrilling fashion by the then-emerging Ismail Matar.
The current coach’s nationality as an Emirati has undoubtedly helped when compared to the foreign guns who came before him. But the identity of his passport has not been the defining factors.
He inherited a mess from placid predecessor Srecko Katanec upon his ascension after London. Faith that the Olympic stars would blossom saw the old guard, bravely, kicked out.
The Ahli pair of Khamis Esmail and Majed Hassan have grown into two of the continent’s finest defensive midfielders. Club-mate Ismail Al Hammadi is a winger capable of wreaking devastation, while even older hands such as Al Ain centre-backs Ismail Ahmed and Mohanad Salem have progressed.
This is not to argue that Ali is blameless. A blinded perseverance with an outmoded 4-4-2 formation and a repeat desire to play favourites reached its zenith during last month’s 3-0 humiliation in the Kingdom which has led to such uncertainty about his future.
Yet, he merits seeing the job through. It is up to his charges now to take the decision about whether this happens away from the nervous UAE Football Association.