The two sides, who met in the 2015 Asian Cup semi-finals, head into Wednesday morning’s (1.30am AEST) 2018 World Cup qualifier fresh from opening wins.

Postecoglou said in the lead-up to the game that UAE would “be a bit fearful of us and have every right to be”, prompting questions of the UAE coach’s approach.

"This is his opinion, I respect that,” Ali said. “We will see on the pitch how the UAE and Australia will play.

“The UAE have played a long time with this group. We work for a long time to create an identity for our team and I think we have an identity.

“We know what we need to do tomorrow and hopefully we will see that on the pitch tomorrow."

Postecoglou has never led the Socceroos to victory in the Middle East, with two defeats to Jordan and Qatar and a goalless draw with UAE.

In fact, Australia hasn’t won in the Middle East since October 2012, coming from behind to triumph 2-1 over Iraq in neutral Doha.

That result came only a month after losing 2-1 in Jordan too, while there was a goalless draw in Oman earlier that year too, along with a 1-0 defeat in Muscat during that qualifying campaign.

"I don’t believe in history. I believe only in what the team is doing at this moment," Ali said.

"Because in football it depends on how much you do on the pitch. Every period has its own circumstances and I don’t know what happened before, but what I know is on the pitch the team is very well prepared.”

UAE’s opening 2-1 win away to Japan has given the hosts plenty of reason to be confident.

"The morale is high. The first win against Japan gives us a good confidence boost,” Ali said.

"We respect all the teams, not only Australia. In football there are no easier teams or stronger teams.

“The team who is very well prepared, who have the will to win in the game and fight in the game that gives the result in the end."