<p>The United Arab Emirates, ranked 110 in the world, are certainly the better side, and will come into this game as clear favourites. They will also have the home advantage.<br /><br />However, considering the current form of the Indian team, coach Armando Colaco is confident his boy’s will put their best foot forward and will play to their potential at the Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium. <br /><br />In the build-up to the World Cup qualifiers, India played two friendlies against Maldives and Qatar. While they were held to a 1-1 draw by Maldives, a historic victory was achieved when India defeated Qatar 2-1.<br /><br />The win against Qatar came at a time when Indian football was dealing with the ouster of coach Bob Houghton, who was replaced by Colaco. India, under Colaco, produced brilliant football against higher-ranked Qatar and a draw and a win from two away international friendlies is a decent result for a team that doesn’t have the reputation of playing well abroad.<br /><br />However, the match against UAE would be the litmus test for the India, who beat UAE 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Bangalore in 2001. UAE have their own set of problems with some of their key players such as goalkeeper.<br /><br />Majid Nasser, skipper Subait Khater and superstar Ismail Mattar set to miss due to injuries. Left winger Abdulla Mosa too has already ruled himself out and it has to be seen if the injuries would affect their game when they clash with India.<br /><br />India, on the other hand, have displayed their skills against Qatar and Maldives and the same set of players are likely to be retained by Colaco in the starting line-up expected to be captained by Goan Climax Lawrence.<br /></p>
<p>The United Arab Emirates, ranked 110 in the world, are certainly the better side, and will come into this game as clear favourites. They will also have the home advantage.<br /><br />However, considering the current form of the Indian team, coach Armando Colaco is confident his boy’s will put their best foot forward and will play to their potential at the Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium. <br /><br />In the build-up to the World Cup qualifiers, India played two friendlies against Maldives and Qatar. While they were held to a 1-1 draw by Maldives, a historic victory was achieved when India defeated Qatar 2-1.<br /><br />The win against Qatar came at a time when Indian football was dealing with the ouster of coach Bob Houghton, who was replaced by Colaco. India, under Colaco, produced brilliant football against higher-ranked Qatar and a draw and a win from two away international friendlies is a decent result for a team that doesn’t have the reputation of playing well abroad.<br /><br />However, the match against UAE would be the litmus test for the India, who beat UAE 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Bangalore in 2001. UAE have their own set of problems with some of their key players such as goalkeeper.<br /><br />Majid Nasser, skipper Subait Khater and superstar Ismail Mattar set to miss due to injuries. Left winger Abdulla Mosa too has already ruled himself out and it has to be seen if the injuries would affect their game when they clash with India.<br /><br />India, on the other hand, have displayed their skills against Qatar and Maldives and the same set of players are likely to be retained by Colaco in the starting line-up expected to be captained by Goan Climax Lawrence.<br /></p>