Despite latest World Cup agony, UAE have tools - and time - to build towards better future

Harib Abdallah departed in tears, barely consolable but betraying a player who had given his all when still it wasn’t enough.

Ali Mabkhout and Omar Abdulrahman, upon whom hopes have felt perennially pinned, slipped by the media post-match, muttering just enough to decline requests for reaction.

Caio Canedo was the only to stop on his way from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and the scene of the anguish, the forward having hauled his side level once on the night but regrettably not a second time. He reappeared showered and changed, yet still seemed spent - understandably.

The UAE had lost the penultimate match to make the next World Cup, slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Australia in Qatar on Tuesday, and the emotion was raw. It hurt, Canedo said. He likened the atmosphere in the dressing room to a funeral.

There was to be no march on to the decider against Peru, no final gargantuan push towards Qatar 2022. For that is what it surely would have taken. Ultimately, though, the UAE would not get the chance.

Despite the endeavour and the enterprise against Australia – the Emirati side could conceivably have got the win having initially carved the better chances – the country’s wait for a second World Cup appearance widened once more.

Thirty-two years extends to 36, for now at least. The stars of 1990, feted for that even-now unique feat, remain unmatched.

Predictably, the latest failure will be detailed and dissected. Immediately after the match in Al Rayyan, some supporters and analysts questioned Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s suitability as manager. But such is football.

Once the dust settles, the hope is fresh optimism will emerge. Even in microcosm, the Australia encounter hinted at a better future.

You voted for Harib Abdalla Suhail