(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) UAE centre back Mohanad Salem has said that the team is extremely committed in achieving their dream of qualifying for a second World Cup and added that there won't be any compromises when it comes to effort.
The Whites are currently in the midst of a month-long camp in Spain and preparations are going well with the team unbeaten in two friendlies. Mahdi Ali's men defeated Spanish La Liga club Las Palmas by a solitary goal on Thursday. Al Jazira frontman Ali Ahmed Mabkhout scored the winner on 27 minutes at the Pinatar Arena Football Center in San Pedro del Pinatar.
The UAE had begun their tune-up with a 1-1 draw against third tier club Cartagena earlier in the week. They are set to play three more friendlies during their stay as they prepare for the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers which begins in September.
"The next phase of qualifying for the World Cup is vital and important and it requires a concerted effort from everyone," Mohanad Salem told th UAE Football Association website.
"It is the dream of all the players to qualifying for the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and there will not be any compromise in order to achieve the dream. Everyone is committed and will strive hard to achieve it," added the Al Ain defender.
The UAE are placed in Group B along with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Thailand. And the Whites begin their campaign on the road to Russia with a tough away fixture against Japan at the Saitama Stadium 2002 on September 1.
The Whites later host Australia at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 6.
And Salem said that it paramount to get off to a winning start against Japan and Australia to make their dream possible.
"We have to redouble our efforts against Japan and Australia, especially the first encounter. A positive result there will give us a strong start in the third round of the qualifiers. It will also gives us added motivation to do even better in the future games," said the 31-year-old.
Salem also said that the camp in Spain was the ideal setting and the atmosphere in the camp was excellent. "We are benefiting a lot from the training programme developed by the technical staff," said Mohanad, who has been capped 24 times.
He also urged the fans to back the side in their quest for glory. "I ask the fans to get behind the team during the qualifiers, whether at the stadium or at home. The UAE fans always play an important and significant role in motivating the players to give their best," he said.
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