UAE: World Cup Dreams Virtually Over

With only the top two teams from the group containing South and North Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia it doesn’t look good for the UAE with three of the remaining four matches coming away from home.

“We have to be honest; there is no point in lying to yourself,” Bathenay told reporters in Dubai.

“It is very difficult for us now. If we had won three points in this game, then the group would have been wide open. But now I am not very optimistic.”

At least the UAE have the 2009 Gulf Cup to think about in January where the defending champions are grouped with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen in the Oman tournament.  

“We will think about the World Cup in March,” said Bathenay.

“For now our focus is the Gulf Cup. This performance against Iran should give us a lot of confidence for the tournament.”