United Arab Emirates coach Mahdi Ali says Tim Cahill's winner shouldn't have stood in the World Cup qualifying loss to Australia.
U.A.E. coach Mahdi Ali said Tim Cahill's 75th-minute winner shouldn't had stood because of a foul in the build-up play.
"We lost at home because of a mistake by the referee," he told reporters after the match.
"The goal was a foul. This is football. We have to accept it."
Cahill pushed defender Mohaned Salem to free himself of attention but the action looked far short of a meriting a foul.
Ali showed his gracious side, congratulating Australia for their away-day success.
"We lost one match. We did not lose the qualification," he said. "Congratulations to Australia and hard luck to us.
"We have to work hard and we have to believe in our dream and fight.
"We lost one game and the future will still be good."
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said the Gulf nation shouldn't give up on their ambitions to reach Russia.
"They are a good team and this group will be very close," he said.
"The U.A.E. are still going to play a big part in how the group unfolds. They still have a very good chance to qualify."