(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)
The UAE won a crucial World Cup qualifiers encounter against Iraq, three prized points were in the bag, substitute Ismail Matar had scored in the dying minutes to clinch a nervous win - all promising signs for the 'Whites' looking into the next year assignments, but then coach Mahdi Ali dropped a bomb.
"This game was very important regardless of who will continue with the team. For me, I am doing my job and I thank everybody," Ali said when asked about the pressure he faced before the game and his future.
Addressing a post-match press conference at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Ali said he is doubtful if he will continue to remain in the saddle.
"Whether I am with the team or not, most important thing for this period was to win the game."
And then he started a long list of 'thank you' notes - an ominous indication of things to come.
"I thank all the leaders with whom I worked with in the federation. I thank everybody for supporting me and believing in me. I thank all my staff, all the fans and all my friends who trusted in me. I think this gives me more motivation. We will see what will happen in the future."
Coach Ali has been under pressure from many quarters over the defensive techniques in the thumping loss against Saudi Arabia.
On the way forward for the team, he said: "We are in a good situation. We are in just a one-point difference from the top. We are very happy as this game was very important for us to keep our chances alive. The future will be better as many injured regular players will return. In the next four months, we can prepare well whether I am with the team or not."
He also spoke highly about the 'big' player - Ismail Matar. "He is symbol of the UAE football. He is a very big player. He has silenced all his critics. I had told him prior to the game that he has to be ready and that he will be playing any minute. He played very good and motivated everyone. I respect him a lot and he always thinks about other players in the team too," the coach said.
Asked if the UAE can qualify from this stage, he again had a thank you note as he said: "It's early to say who will qualify from this group. We have to wait until the final rounds. The teams will cross each other until the end. Maybe some teams had started with easier fixture but at a later stage it could be harder for them. We got the result we wanted. We won because of the efforts of the players, technical and managerial staff, and fans."
Ali has been managing affairs since August 15, 2012 and had last year extended his contract till 2018. -
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