UAE boss approaches crucial game against Japan in a positive frame of mind.
UAE boss Mahdi Ali remains upbeat despite a lengthy injury list ahead of the team's World Cup qualifier with Japan at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday evening.
The hosts are in fourth place in Group B and take on the Asian giants who occupy second spot.
“We are having some difficulties and we miss many players,” Ali said at a packed pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
“In the UAE, we have a limited number of players we can choose. But we are used to this situation — it is a part of football.