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We should keep focus, says coach Mahdi Ali

The UAE Olympic football team moved a step closer to realizing their dream of playing in their first ever Olympics when they defeated Australia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics at a packed Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday night.

The UAE beat the Olyroos 1-0 with Omar Abdulrahman scoring the match-winner in the 24^th minute. The win gave UAE the lead in Group B on 11 points with Uzbekistan right behind on eight points. The winners of the group will progress to the Olympics, while the runners-up will be involved in a play-off. UAE travel to Uzbekistan for the final group game on March 14. UAE only need a draw, while Uzbekistan need a victory. If Uzbekistan win, it will come down to goal difference to decide who will go through. “The next game is very important. We have to keep focus and not celebrate early. We still haven’t qualified. It is a final game for us and it will decide if we qualify,” Mahdi Ali said.

Amer Abdulrehman and Hamdan Al Kamali didn’t play against the Olyroos but Mahdi Ali hinted that both would figure in the final game against Uzbekistan. Amer Abdulrehman didn’t play because of an injury, while Hamdan Ali Kamali was benched because of lack of match practice. Kamali is on loan from Al Wahda to French club Lyon and had rejoined the squad for this game.

“This was the first game Amer Abdulrehman was not playing. He is an important player and we want him to play the next game. Hamdan also didn’t play for 45 days. So, we didn’t play him tonight. But they both are very important players for us,” he said.

Mahdi Ali was full of praise for midfielder Omar Abdulrahman, who scored the all-important winner. Omar Abdulrahman, who plays for Al Ain, was returning from injury and the coach said he played a key role.

“Omar Abdulrahman is one of the talented players in the team. He has a lot of potential. He played five games before this game, But only one game of 90 minutes. I told him before this game that he was a key player. We are happy that he came back from injury. When he came in, he was under pressure because of the absence. But he played a very good game,” he said.

He was also pleased with the depth of his squad. “When we have many players available, we have many more options. For Khamis Esmail, it was his second game. And he played well. Ahmed Ali was back, Ahmed Khalil, Hamdan also is there. When you have a good bench strength, it gives me more options,” said Mahdi Ali.

Close to 29,000 fans turned up for the game and Mahdi Ali was relieved to give them a win. “My main concern during the game was fans. It was the first time that we had a large crowd. And I wanted the crowd to go back happy. I thank all the fans,” he said.