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The UAE players gave their all, and for the most part, matched the Socceroos, but it is Australia who take three of the best points they will ever take, securing an important 1-0 victory.
This result will rest into insignificance compared to the places Australia want to be in the next two years, but Ange Postecoglou may well regard that as the finest win of his managerial career – such were the conditions, the travel, and the quality and energy of the opposition.
In the end, it was an old face that sealed the result for the Socceroos, as Tim Cahill struck his 48th goal in national colours with his second touch after coming on late in the game.
The road to Russia looks strong for Australia.
Final score:
United Arab Emirates 0
Australia 1
A tough away trip awaits the Socceroos, as Australia seek to backup their last start win with another triumph in Abu Dhabi against the United Arab Emirates.
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Three points, and job well done in Perth for the Socceroos against Iraq. Yet the challenge takes a completely different dimension from the lush greenery of Perth Oval to the likely heat on the field and in the air in the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.
Added to the mix is a UAE side buoyed by a vanquishing of heavyweights Japan on their patch, and the omens bode large for the Socceroos. A different approach is likely on the cards for Ange Postecoglou in order to escape the heat of Abu Dhabi with three points.
Eyal Zayed, as the UAE are commonly known, may be grateful for the lamentable vision of Qatari officials that eventually awarded them three points in Saitama, but nevertheless showed sufficient on-field enterprise to quantifiably prove they are Group B darkhorses for World Cup qualification.
Following up the triumph over Japan with a win against Australia will firmly set their credentials towards their first World Cup in 28 years.
The UAE are expected to field a similar gameplan to the one that bested Japan. In Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout, the home side possesses bona fide goal threats in rare company within Asian circles, with 73 international goals between them in 117 combined caps.
A 4-4-2 is likely to be repeated at home by coach Mahdi Ali, with the inclusion of Amer Abdulrahman possibly coming as a means to protect the back four against the creative Australian midfield.
Yet changing a lineup after such a monumental result in Japan would not be done lightly, given the UAE’s vocal home backing and the oppressive conditions likely to suit them against their fancied opponents.
Against an Australian back four prone to error, and given their struggles in breaking down Middle Eastern opposition on their home soil, this represents a golden chance for UAE to avenge their semi-final defeat from last year’s Asian Cup.
Backing up days after a strenuous home encounter against Iraq, changes are likely for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
While Tim Cahill is likely to feature, he may do so as a lone frontman, as Australia may seek to play a slow attritional game in order to better handle the conditions over 90 minutes.
Such a mindset would represent a radical departure from Postecoglou’s philosophy, but the pragmatism of points may take priority.
Cahill’s inclusion will likely come at the expense of Tomi Juric, while Mathew Leckie’s role is critical in rolling possession into the final third.
While the trio of Aaron Mooy, Massimo Luongo and Tom Rogic combined with enterprise in Perth, at least one may be confined to the bench in order to make way for the more defensive Jackson Irvine, or Mark Milligan may be required to play in midfield after featuring in the backline against Iraq.
If Milligan does step out in the base of midfield, then a return to the back four may be given to Matthew Spiranovic to partner Trent Sainsbury.
The width of the park is likely to fall to the fullbacks Brad Smith and Milos Degenek, with Robbie Kruse possibly relied for a late bench cameo should a late goal be needed.
The trip to Abu Dhabi definitely would have taken a different dimension after UAE’s success against Japan, and on that end, a UAE win will alarm the group heavyweights that the threat lies elsewhere.
Yet Postecoglou will be looking for his team to keep firm discipline in order to steal one or three points from a tough trip.
Join The Roar on Wednesday morning from 1:30am (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
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