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The Indonesian national team visited the United Arab Emirates headquarters in the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup Qualification. Standing in a protruding position, Indonesia's chances of stealing points were very impossible, although not impossible. So far, the head-to-head Red-White team with Al Abyad is still balanced.

United Arab Emirates vs. Indonesia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier took place at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, Thursday (10/10/2019) evening hrs. Looking at the match, Indonesia has been in Dubai since last week.

Indonesia looked at the third match on a negative note after losing to Malaysia 2-3 and Thailand 0-3 in the home match of Group G of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Meanwhile, the UAE began the adventure in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers with a win. They conquered Malaysia with a score of 2-1 in away games.

If Indonesia loses again, the steps made by Simon McMenemy team will be very heavy because it goes deeper at the bottom of the standings without even a one point.

"A tough challenge for the Indonesian national team against the UAE here. But we believe we can improve to accept this challenge well. Of course it takes hard work to get positive results," Simon McMenemy told a press conference ahead of the match.

Although in historical records, Indonesia is head to head in a draw with the UAE, the opportunity to steal points remains heavy. Indonesia and the UAE have faced four times at the senior national team level. As a result, Indonesia won twice and the UAE also won twice.

Indonesia's victory over the UAE was won at the 1981. Merdeka Games event. At that time, the Garuda squad won 5-2. The UAE responded in the same event a year after, Eyal Zayed won 2-1 in the match in Kuala Lumpur.

Indonesia won again over the UAE in the 1986 Asian Games. The match was in the quarterfinals, Indonesia won on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Indonesia failed to bring home a medal in the event after losing to South Korea in the semifinal, then beaten by Kuwait in the race for the bronze medal.

The UAE balanced the meeting record with a victory at the 1996 Asian Cup. In the group stage, the UAE defeated Indonesia 2-0. Indonesia finished as caretaker of the group at that time, with 1 point from three matches. "We must focus and be vigilant in playing later. UAE has a good team and coach. The condition of the players is good, there are always positive developments every day," said Simon.

Without audience support, the burden of Hansamu et al will be heavier. Even in quality, the UAE team is still far superior. Confidence without skill capital, is false trust.

So, the draw alone is very good. But if Indonesia wins, that is a surprise. If you lose, everything will be understood and continue to disappointment. []

United Arab Emirates vs Indonesia record

1981 Merdeka Games Indonesia 5-2 UAE
1982 Merdeka Games Indonesia 1-2 UAE
1986 Asian Games Indonesia 2-2 UAE (4-3 pens)
1996 Indonesia Asia Cup 0-2 UAE

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UEA Vs Indonesia, Menang itu Berat!

Timnas Indonesia melawat ke markas Uni Emirat Arab di lanjutan Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2022. Bercokol di posisi buncit, peluang Indonesia untuk mencuri poin sangat berat meski bukan tidak mungkin. Sejauh ini, head to head tim Merah-Putih dengan Al Abyad masih imbang.

Uni Emirat Arab vs Indonesia di kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2022 berlangsung di Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, Kamis (10/10/2019) malam WIB. Menatap laga itu, Indonesia sudah ada di Dubai sejak pekan lalu.

Indonesia menatap pertandingan ketiga itu dengan catatan negatif setelah dikalahkan Malaysia 2-3 dan Thailand 0-3 dalam pertandingan kandang Grup G Kualifikasi Piala Dunia.

Sementara itu, UEA memulai petualangan di Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2022 dengan kemenangan. Mereka menaklukkan Malaysia dengan skor 2-1 di laga tandang.

Jika Indonesia kalah lagi, langkah tim besutan Simon McMenemy akan sangat berat karena semakin dalam terbenam di dasar klasemen tanpa poin sebiji pun.

"Tantangan yang berat bagi Timnas Indonesia melawan UEA di sini. Tapi kami percaya bisa improve untuk terima tantangan ini dengan baik. Tentu butuh kerja keras untuk mendapat hasil positif," kata Simon McMenemy dalam konferensi pers jelang laga.

Meski dalam catatan sejarah, secara head to head Indonesia imbang dengan UEA, peluang untuk mencuri poin tetap berat. Indonesia dan UEA sudah pernah empat kali berhadapan di level timnas senior. Hasilnya, Indonesia menang dua kali dan UEA juga menang dua kali.

Kemenangan Indonesia atas UEA didapat di ajang Merdeka Games 1981. Saat itu, Skuat Garuda menang 5-2. UEA membalas di ajang yang sama setahun setelahnya, Eyal Zayed menang 2-1 dalam pertandingan di Kuala Lumpur itu.

Indonesia menang lagi atas UEA di ajang Asian Games 1986. Pertandingan itu di babak perempatfinal, Indonesia menang adu penalti setelah bermain imbang 2-2. Indonesia gagal membawa pulang medali di ajang itu usai kalah dari Korea Selatan di babak semifinal, lalu ditaklukkan Kuwait di perebutan medali perunggu.

UEA menyeimbangkan rekor pertemuan dengan kemenangan di Piala Asia 1996. Di babak grup, UEA mengalahkan Indonesia 2-0. Indonesia finis sebagai juru kunci grup saat itu, dengan raihan 1 poin hasil dari tiga laga

"Kami harus fokus dan waspada dalam bermain nanti. UEA punya tim dan pelatih yang bagus. Kondisi pemain bagus, selalu ada perkembangan positif setiap harinya," tandas Simon.

Tanpa dukungan penonton, beban Hansamu dkk akan lebih berat. Secara kualitas pun, tim UEA masih jauh lebih unggul. Kepercayaan diri tanpa modal skill, adalah kepercayaan semu.

Jadi, hasil imbang saja sudah sangat lumayan. Tapi kalau Indonesia menang, itu adalah kejutan. Kalau kalah, semuanya pada maklum dan melanjutkan kekecewaan.[]

Rekor Uni Emirat Arab vs Indonesia

1981 Merdeka Games Indonesia 5-2 UEA
1982 Merdeka Games Indonesia 1-2 UEA
1986 Asian Games Indonesia 2-2 UEA (4-3 pen)
1996 Piala Asia Indonesia 0-2 UEA

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