UAE host India at the Zabeel Stadium in Dubai with both teams looking to get a win ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifying

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A massive game for both sides who are looking to pick up form ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers.

10 Indian players were handed their debuts as the Blue Tigers came from behind in the second-half to earn a crucial point against Oman. The visitors conceded an own goal minutes before the break but hit back in through Manvir Singh as Igor Stimac’s side continued their five-game unbeaten streak.

UAE’s current form has been shaky in their last few games. Two defeats, a win and a goalless draw against Iraq in January this year.

India are currently fourth in Group E of the World Cup Qualifiers and have been without an International victory since 2018 when they defeated Pakistan.

Bert van Marwijk’s side kicked off their World Cup Qualifiers on a positive note with back to back wins but then lost against Thailand and Vietnam, which saw them drop to fourth in Group G with six points.

The last competitive action for the Whites was during the Gulf Cup. They suffered three defeats and struggled to make it past the group stages.

A player who will be essential for the hosts is Ali Mabkhout, he is remarked as a legend in the Emirati and already made his mark many times for his current side Al Jazira. The striker was crucial in the previous outing between both of these sides, scoring and assisting in a 2-0 win in the Asian Cup 2019.

The 30-year-old is the top goal scorer for the UAE with 65 goals and is the second-highest scorer so far in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with six goals coming from three matches, joint with Qatari Almoez Ali and striker Eldor Shomuordov.

Just like Mabkhout being essential in the Arabian country, Bipin Singh is one of India’s hottest prospects at the moment. The forward is one of the most talked about Indian footballers and played a pivoted role in assisting their only goal against Oman on Thursday.

Ranked 74th in the world, UAE will look to go into this game with confidence considering their form of their opponents, who have just won twice in their last 14 matches against the Whites.