"It's the time!" A call for the UAE to repeat the history

On 28 October 1989, the people of the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, would go to remember that day as the day marking the UAE's historic achievement. At the time, the UAE was forced to either gain at least a draw or win against a powerful South Korea, with both the final round's fixtures played in Singapore. It was almost dashed when Hwangbo Kwan gave the Koreans a 1-0 lead. But no, eight minutes later, Adnan Al Talyani, widely regarded as the country's greatest footballer, scored from a wonderful header to equalise 1-1. If the UAE held a stalemate for the entire game, it would qualify regardless of the Qatar-China result. And it did - after 90 minutes, the UAE held 1-1 over South Korea, ultimately joined the Koreans to Italy. The Emirati commentator Adnan Hamad was famous for calling Adnan Al Talyani "The Lights of Rome", seeing him as the hero who guided the UAE, first calling Al Talyani when he equalised against China in the same qualifier.

By the time the UAE qualified for 1990 Italy, the country was only independent since 1971, and most of its footballers were amateur and semi-professional, working under a variety of jobs from firemen, salesmen and fishermen. The country's football league was also a league of amateur and semi-professional players. Dubai and Abu Dhabi hadn't had skyscrapers like we see today. Hence, qualifying for the World Cup was a great pride for the nation - the second from the Gulf Arab countries. They came to Italy, facing the likes of many powerful opponents: future champions West Germany, Yugoslavia and Colombia; coached by the famous Brazilian boss Carlos Alberto Parreira. The UAE first faced Colombia consisting of René Higuita, Carlos Valderrama, Andrés Escobar, Freddy Rincón and Arnoldo Iguarán - they held off until the second half when it broke down and lost 0-2. Then, the UAE battled West Germany, ultimately fell 1-5 to the likes of Jürgen Klinsmann and Lothar Matthäus but scored a historic goal by Khalid Ismail. In the final fixture where the UAE salvaged for pride, they also lost 1-4 to Yugoslavia, also included some of Europe's most promising talents like Dragan Stojković, Robert Jarni, Dejan Savićević, Davor Šuker and Robert Prosinečki. The Emiratis still left with pride as Ali Thani Jumaa scored the country's second World Cup goal.

The Emirates have not seen another World Cup, but its performance in 1990 is a reminder that the UAE is among some of the few Asian countries that play on top of the elites. Now, with massive wealth and economic abundance, the UAE is considered a middle-power in Asia and is one of the most promising new power in terms of political status. Thanked the wise thinking of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is still remembered and loved in his country as "Father of the Nations", the UAE is continuing to develop that way.

Its team has come short, still. As for the 2022 qualification, the best result of the UAE was the second-place finish in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup held in the UAE, therefore qualified for the 1997 King Fahd Cup, the predecessor of the defunct FIFA Confederations Cup. The UAE didn't survive against the Czech Republic and Uruguay but defeated South Africa in the process. The UAE has come close in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification but lost 0-4 to Iran on aggregate. Overall, the UAE never lacks resources, but they appear always fail to materialise somehow.

However, there is a chance that the UAE could see another World Cup, 21 years after its debut. The draw of the final round brought the UAE to a favourable group stage: Iran, South Korea, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. It's possible and we can break down the info.

In this group, Iran and South Korea are ranked highest, but they're not free from vulnerabilities. Especially Iran - its second round participation was almost a disaster had not for a late resurgence saved Iran. And South Korea, while far better than Iran, seemed not so okay after being held draw away to Lebanon. But the UAE would definitely prefer facing Iran than South Korea - Iran is fragile despite its capabilities - noted by how UAE's neighbours Bahrain and Iraq harassed Iran. On the other hand, South Korea, with Son Heung-min on the top, will be highly dangerous and capable of making hardship. The UAE doesn't have someone like Qatar's Abdelkarim Hassan to block the Tottenham striker.

And there goes Iraq. Iraq is definitely familiar to the UAE, and vice versa. Iraq is a very tough opponent, but not invincible. Historical encounters between the UAE and Iraq are balanced, Iraq only won one game ahead of the UAE. The Emiratis surely know how to wrestle Iraq and they are certain to overcome the old foe.

Then, Syria. Despite suffering wars and destructions, Syria has something people respect: power, determination and might. But Syria is more vulnerable than Iraq and this is largely due to their unstable federation - the country constantly changes managers when it didn't suit the results. In 2019 alone, Syria changed managers three times: first was Germany's Bernd Stange, then Fajr Ibrahim and the Tunisian coach Nabil Maâloul. Even when Maâloul guided Syria to the third round, the Syrian federation again changed manager. The UAE also tends to be the same way - it has also changed coaches, first sacking Lambertus van Marwijk, then Ivan Jovanović, Jorge Luis Pinto to returning back to the Dutch boss. But the difference is, while the UAE remains consistent, has clear projects and entitled to the path it looks for to progress, Syria has no cohesive plans to do the same. An unstable Syria can be easily under prey of the UAE if the Emiratis know what should they do.

Lebanon is definitely the weakest opponent - out of 11 meetings, the UAE only lost one, won eight and draw two. But the UAE's only loss was a disastrous 1-3 away in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, partially responsible for the early elimination of the team from the World Cup contention. Ten years after this defeat, the UAE is more mature and stronger, while Lebanon appears to be still struggling. Away trip to Lebanon isn't easy, but it is not impossible to gain a win. Six points is a must-do business the UAE need to take.

Lucky for the Emiratis as well, they have players who can solve the problems: the UAE's talisman Ali Mabkhout, being the most dangerous player, will lead the country's World Cup hope. Ahmed Khalil and Omar Abdulrahman - the duo that contributed to the UAE's successful 2008 U-19 Asian Cup conquest, will be instrumental in reshaping the team, at least if they can recover from their below-performances. The UAE is also helped by three naturalised players, Caio Canedo and Fábio Lima from Brazil, Sebastián Tagliabúe from Argentina, with their speed and powerful strikes, which can be very devastating. Moreover, it appears the UAE has more will to send its players overseas, a progressive thought in a region highly conservative in football development, though it has not done it so often, Omar Abdulrahman being an exception but he used to play in Saudi Arabia.

However, it is still a question that if the Emiratis can truly return to the big stage. And it is definitely a serious question. Unless the UAE really wants to restore the parity gap with the big names of Asia, it may miss another FIFA World Cup. And this is a real grave threat for the country as Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and South Korea both have the ability to provide problems for the Emirates.

Time's up, UAE. You can repeat history, or you can fail with it. A mission that is not so easy for Bert van Marwijk.