The United Arab Emirates face Kyrgyz Republic in a crucial encounter under the scornful eyes of their faithful at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The hosts have had a tough time getting past their opponents earning a total of five points across three group matches with two ties after coming back from a goal down and one luck inspired win against the Indians.

However, it is understood that they will need more than luck as they face their Central Asian opponents who have managed 43 shots on target (excluding blocked shots) in the three matches and finished third in their group behind South Korea and China.