BANGKOK// New UAE coach Edgardo Bauza has insisted his chastening recent experience with Argentina has not made him damaged goods and he is imbued with confidence that “I can do better with the UAE” ahead of Tuesday’s crucial World Cup 2018 qualifier in Thailand.
Bauza, 59, will take charges of the Whites in a competitive match for the first time at Bangkok’s creaking Rajamangala National Stadium. The pair of losses to Japan and Australia in March which saw paternal predecessor Mahdi Ali resign has heaped the pressure on to secure three points against already-eliminated opponents and maintain slim hopes of a second-ever entrance.
For El Paton, a positive result will also help rehabilitate his reputation after he was dismissed by La Albiceleste in April after eight disenchanting matches.
“I had a lot of experience with Argentina,” said the relaxed Bauza at a busy press conference on Monday. “I am still in contact with them now, because we have a good relationship.
“When compared to the UAE, I am confident that I can do better with the UAE.
“I have had 12 days to prepare, when I wanted to spend a month. But over the past 12 days, we worked hard all the time.
“In the practices, I have talked to the players and they will adapt themselves.
“I am a coach, and I understand every athlete. But every athlete must also try to adapt to me.”
The full Whites contingent have spent the last fortnight together in Dubai, Malaysia and Thailand.
This spell included a 4-0 friendly thrashing of lowly Laos last week at Shah Alam Stadium in Selangor. The most pressing concern for ex-Argentina international Bauza is managing a defensive crisis after the potential starters of centre-back Ismail Ahmed, plus full-backs Abdulaziz Haikal and Walid Abbas, were forced to withdraw.
Last-minute adjustments going on from @Patonweb in Bangkok as he tries to shape his #UAE team ahead of Tuesday's critical #WCQ bow @Sport360 pic.twitter.com/NPGsnxozsN
— Matt Monaghan (@mattmonaghan360) June 11, 2017
Victory is a necessity in a humid Bangkok as the visitors sit seven points and one place outside the advancement spots, with just three games left – including this game in hand – in the third-and-final round.
“The Thai national team is the best team in south east Asia,” added Bauza. “The Laos friendly was not just an experiment because of the fact that we will meet with Thailand.
“But it was a trial of our team, to select the most capable and ready players. For the game with Thailand, it seems to be a difficult game – however, we are ready.”
It is also all change at the top for the War Elephants. Serbian Milovan Rajevac – who has previously bossed Ghana, Qatar and Algeria – has taken the helm after the resignation of Kiatisuk Senamuang following the previous batch of qualifiers.
His predecessor conducted October’s 3-1 loss in Abu Dhabi, during which the visitors had threatened during the second half.
Rajevac has taken over a side who have just one point in Group B and are 52 places below the UAE in the FIFA rankings, at 127.
Already unfavourable odds of an enlivening result – they lost 2-0 in a friendly against Uzbekistan last Friday – have been weakened further by prolific striker Teerasil Dangda’s late withdrawal to join a host of first-choice stars on the sidelines for medical reasons.
These include experienced full-backs Theerathon Bunmathan and Tristan Do, plus fellow Muangthong United-owned team-mate Chanathip Songkrasin.
Despite this, the amiable 63-year-old is aiming to make history in front of 25,000-30,000 impassioned fans this evening with a first triumph at the last stage of the Asian process.
Rajevac said: “We prepared ourselves for this match and we will give our best to get the right result. Because if we win, that will be a historic win – the first for Thai team at this.
“The players are ready to give their best, are motivated for this and of course expecting great support from the fans to help us win.”
