Fans call for coach Mahdi to step down after defeat

Dubai - UAE suffer loss to Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifiers

 For the first time since Mahdi Ali took over as head coach of the UAE football team, over 4000 crazy fans urged him to step down following the team's 1-2 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in the fourth round of the 2018 Fifa World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers at the King Abdulla Stadium in Jeddah on Thursday.
"The time has come for change," the UAE national team supporters wrote in the social media. "Ali has nothing more to provide for the country's football," another guy wrote. Meanwhile, Ali summarized the whole affair in simple words that they were beaten by a better side. "We didn't show the best of us," Ali said in the post-match Press conference, but he declined to elaborate. "Saudi Arabia played a big game and it was a well deserved victory," he added. Ali also refused to comment on the penalty kick, from which the Saudis scored the winner as some TV commentators challenged its authenticity.
Mohammad Al Sahlawi struck twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goal down to defeat the UAE and open up a five-point gap over the 2015 AFC Asian Cup semifinalists at the top of Group A.
The 2008 AFC Young Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil silenced the 70.000 home crowd with an 18th minute effort from a free kick from around 30 yards. But, UAE's early advantage was cancelled out just before the interval by Saudi scoring machine Mohammed Al Sahlawi
The Al Nassr striker drew the Saudis level when he converted Abdullah Al Dossary's cross on the stroke of half-time with what was looking like the goal that would see the two Gulf giants share the spoils.
Towards the 59th minute, Singapore referee Muhammad bin Jahari pointed to the spot when UAE midfielder Omer Abdul Rahman needlessly fouled Nawaf Al Abaid as the Saudi left winger penetrated inside the box and Al Sahlawi confidently scored the match-winner.
"I would like to congratulate my players," said Saudi coach Bert van Marwijk. "I have been always straight forward with them and when they do not perform satisfactorily, I tell them the truth. This time I would like to tell them that they have impressed me," he added.
Meanwhile, the Saudi's were awarded a 3-0 walkover victory after their match in Shah Alam was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
With four rounds played the three-time Asian champions top Group A with 12 points, five more than second placed UAE. Ali's team are are now only two points above Palestine, who will be ruing their 1-1 draw with Timor Leste in Thursday's other Group A fixture in Dilli.
The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup.