UAE boss Mahdi Ali is “optimistic and positive” about March’s vital 2018 World Cup qualifiers after his side received a boost of confidence during the 2-1 win against Iceland.

Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdulrahman, 24, was at his influential best on Saturday as excellent goals from Al Ahli winger Ismail Al Hammadi, 27, and Al Jazira forward Ali Mabkhout, 25, secured a come-from-behind friendly triumph.

The fixture against the Euro 2016 finalists precedes the culmination of the AFC second round, which will see the second-placed Whites host challengers Palestine on March 24 and Group A leaders Saudi Arabia on March 29.

Victory in both testing fixtures is likely to be required to continue on the long road to Russia and Ali, 50, had no doubt they would follow.

He said: “I am always optimistic and positive, but we have to work very hard. We are very keenly awaiting these two games. It’s good they are both at home but we have to focus on the first game because that is the key for the next game. Of course, I have to be positive and optimistic for the future as that’s my job and that’s the difference between the coach and everybody else.

“I have confidence in my team and players and hope they will do well in the next game. Of course [the players are confident], that was reflected in today’s game. Even though it was a friendly, they took it very seriously and it was a good chance to see how our players will do in March.”

Iceland were without the majority of their established players as the game did not fall in a FIFA-designated international week. But they began strongly, Jiangsu Suning centre forward Vidar Orn Kjartansson heading them in front on 14 minutes.

The UAE refused to be cowed and Abdulrahman led the fightback. His perfect deep ball teed up Al Hammadi to round goalkeeper Ingvar Jonsson, before a failure to clear his straight free-kick on 48 minutes saw Mabkhout volley in the clincher.

The Whites experimented during the second half, with Al Wahda centre-back Hamdan Al Kamali and Al Dhafra striker Ahmed Ali making returns. Ali was happy to see his playing pool expanded.

“I’m very happy for them that they are back playing with the team and have had their chance because the more players there are available in the squad, the more solutions I have to pick the best team,” he said.