The UAE should rally around the faltering national team to get their 2018 World Cup-qualfication dream back on track, according to under-fire boss Mahdi Ali.
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The Whites have endured a slow start in the second round of the AFC process, sitting second to Saudi Arabia in Group A after they inflicted a 2-1 defeat last month and outside the four best runners-up spots which would ensure progression with the section winners.
Preparations for a competitive double header begin tonight (18:00) with a friendly against Turkmenistan at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, ahead of the visit of Timor-Leste on November 12 and trip to Malaysia on November 17.
“I am seeking to make maximum use of the friendly against Turkmenistan,” Ali said. “It will be a good way to judge readiness. “The right of any person is to criticise and we are just as outraged as everyone about the lack of a positive result. The criticism can be positive but it should occur without exaggeration – if you do not stand with the team at this stage, when do you stand with them?”
Omar Abdulrahman will play in Al Ain’s Arabian Gulf Cup-game against Sharjah on Thursday night to retain sharpness as the playmaker is banned for the Timor-Leste match.