UAE midfielder Habib Fardan is full of confidence that his nation can continue their World Cup 2018 dream after yesterday’s Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 draw.

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The Whites entered at the second stage of Asian Football Confederation clarifying, being pitted as top seeds in Group A alongside Saudi Arabia, 2015 Asian Cup whipping boys Palestine, Timor-Leste and Malaysia.

Only the group winners are guaranteed to progress to the third round, with a showdown against the Green Falcons looming.

Despite being drawn in one of only two groups to contain three entrants to last January’s continental competition, Fardan was convinced the national side was in good shape to make the next stage.

“I think it was a fair draw,” the 25-year-old said. “I think we have a big possibility to qualify for the next round, we will do our best to qualify for the next round. We will see what we can do.”

The UAE and Saudi Arabia last clashed in November’s heated Gulf Cup semi-final epic in Riyadh. Ahmed Khalil’s brace levelled after the hosts went two-goals up, Salem Al Dawsari’s 86th-minute winner crushing the Whites’ hopes.

Al Ahli boss Cosmin Olaroiu endured a miserable loan spell with the Green Falcons during the subsequent Asian Cup, exiting at the group stage.

He is one of three bosses to have taken charge of the nation in the last five months, Spaniard Juan Ramon Lopez Caro being sacked in December and current caretaker Faisal Al Baden replacing Olaroiu.

Olaroiu declared the cohesion provided by Ali’s on-going three-year rule could prove decisive.

He said: “The two teams [Saudi Arabia and UAE] are the favourites. The UAE have great experience and have had the same coach for a long time.

“The players have also played together for a long time, the relationship is better.

“Both teams have chance to qualify and they will.”