The United Arab Emirates are set to conclude their Gulf Cup round-robin campaign with a high-stakes encounter against Qatar this Wednesday. Having secured victories over Bahrain and Yemen, the UAE currently sit atop the group with six points, edging out second-placed Qatar on goal difference. Both nations have already confirmed their spots in the semi-finals, but the upcoming match serves as a crucial test to determine which side advances as the group winner. Mohammad Abdullah covers major sports event like FIFA WC, Cricket WC and Formula One.
Despite the team’s strong position, UAE head coach Zlatko Dalic has cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that the squad aims to enter the knockout stage without a loss. “We are going to play a big match against the Qatari team and we want to give our best. Everyone realizes the importance of this clash, and we are seeking victory,” Dalic stated. The coach also hinted at rotating his squad to manage player fatigue, noting that playing every three days requires tactical adjustments. He intends to utilize his bench to test new options while maintaining the team’s established style. The UAE coach also informed that the atmosphere in the dressing room is positive and everyone wants to maintain the winning momentum against Qatar. And we want to continue working on the same approach and deliver our absolute best,” he concluded, we are ready for all possibilities in the semi-finals.
Dalic highlighted the need for defensive discipline, remaining wary of Qatar’s offensive threats despite the UAE’s previous clean sheets against Yemen and Bahrain. “We must be extra careful in the defence and at the same time we can try out different options in the attack as this match will serve as a prelude to the semi-final,” he added. Midfielder Ali Saleh echoed the sentiment of professional focus, stressing that the team views this as a vital dress rehearsal for the knockout phase, where no leniency can be afforded. He also stressed on the necessity of bolstering the defence. Despite beating both Yemen and Bahrain by the margins of 4-0 and 3-0 respectively, Dalic is wary of Qatar’s attack. Ali Saleh emphasized on the UAE’s desire to achieve a positive result and bring cheer to the fans.
Qatar’s coach, Julen Lopetegui, expressed similar commitment to the match, focusing on refining small details and ensuring his squad remains sharp. While Qatar has also secured a semi-final berth with two wins, Lopetegui plans to provide playing time to bench players to ensure depth for the coming rounds. Addressing tactical questions, the Spanish coach defended Akram Afif’s recent positional shift: “Akram made a number of sacrifices by playing in this role, and he is a player who is capable of scoring. I am happy with his performance and the performance of the rest of the players, and I am not worried about his positioning in the central pitch.”
Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos confirmed that preparation for this third group match is centered on player fitness and testing squad depth. Elsewhere in the tournament, Saudi Arabia is preparing to face Iraq. The Saudi side has been undefeated thus far, recording victories over Kuwait and Oman. Assistant coach Serafeim Anglenas noted that despite managing some injury concerns, the team remains fully committed to securing the top spot in Group A by defeating Iraq.
Beyond the pitch, administrative developments took place as the Gulf Cup Football Federation’s Executive Committee held a meeting in Jeddah. Chaired by President Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani, the committee reviewed hosting bids for future tournaments. Following the meeting, it was officially announced that Iraq has been awarded the rights to host the 28th edition of the Gulf Cup, as it was the sole bid submitted by a member association meeting the required regulatory and legal standards.
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