Despite 10-0 previous result, UAE ‘should prove ourselves’ again v Malaysia, says Fardan

'It doesn't matter if the other team is weak or strong' says UAE midfielder Habib Fardan, 'we should always stay in the same level. We want this game.'

Midfielder Habib Fardan, left, shown during UAE's Asian Cup group match against Iran in January. Dave Hunt / EPA / January 19, 2015
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ABU DHABI // Habib Fardan says the UAE must not underestimate Malaysia in next Tuesday's crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier, despite defeating them 10-0 in the reverse fixture in Abu Dhabi in September.

Mahdi Ali’s side travel to Kuala Lumpur for their next Group A assignment, knowing they need to return to the Emirates with three points if they want to have a realistic chance of finishing top of the pool.

Thursday night’s resounding 8-0 victory at home to East Timor moved the UAE to within three points of leaders Saudi Arabia with three matches still to play. After Malaysia next week, they host third-placed Palestine and then entertain the Saudis, with both fixtures to come over a taxing five-day period in March.

Read more: Now for the next step, says Ahmed Khalil after UAE's clinical 8-0 dispatching of East Timor

Malaysia would appear to represent the easiest challenge, though, given the corresponding result two months ago. However, Fardan expects a much tougher test at the Shah Alam Stadium, especially since Malaysia’s performances have improved markedly since they replaced underperforming coach Dollah Salleh with Ong Kim Swee.

In the past two matches, Malaysia were beaten by Saudi Arabia after the Saudis were retrospectively awarded a 3-0 win after crowd trouble ended the match prematurely. Last month, they triumphed 1-0 in East Timor.

“On their pitch, they will be much better than they played here,” Fardan said. “It is important we stay focused as we have to respect the Malaysia team. We should prove ourselves – it doesn’t matter if the other team is weak or strong.

“We should always stay in the same level. We want this game. We hope we will do well in this game and we get the three points.”

The UAE go into the encounter in good spirit following Thursday's convincing win against East Timor, when Ahmed Khalil led the scoring with four goals. Ali Mabkhout notched twice, with substitutes Dawood Ali and Ahmed Al Attas netting one each.

The hosts were always expected to cast aside their opponents at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, something midfielder Fardan, himself a second-half substitute, was eager to stress post-match.

“I think this win is not a way the players can gain confidence,” he said. “We should have won this game and win the ones against Malaysia and Palestine if we are to qualify.

“It was an easy game for us. We wanted to score more goals, but it was good we finished 8-0. Hopefully we can now win against Malaysia.”​​

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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