UAE confident ahead of Kuwait test

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  • Tight affair: The UAE’s Ismail Al Hammadi (r) slides in to challenge Oman’s Ahmed Al Mukhime during their 0-0 stalemate in Group B on Friday night.

    The UAE will rise to the challenge of facing an in-form Kuwait when they attempt to ignite their Gulf Cup defence tomorrow, according to UAE Football Association presi­dent Yousif Al Serkal.

    – UAE begine Gulf Cup defence with abject 0-0 draw vs Oman
    – GALLERY: UAE 0-0 Oman

    Friday’s opening night in Group B saw contrasting emotions for the nations. The Whites disappointed during a drab goalless draw with Oman, while a beautiful winner from winger Enad El Enazi in the 92nd minute saw Kuwait past beat­en 2013 finalists Iraq.

    That result ensures the UAE will have it all to do at Riyadh’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, though Asian Football Confederation vice-president Al Serkal expects to see a positive reaction.

    “Going to play against a Kuwaiti team with confidence is not in our favour,” he said. “But, playing Kuwait as winners from the last match creates a challenge to our players and our players in circum­stances like that perform better.”

    The inquisition into the lifeless stalemate began in earnest yes­terday, coach Mahdi Ali sitting his players down on a training pitch at the sizeable Prince Faisal complex.

    The 23-man squad listened to a 10-minute prep talk prior to beginning their warm-up. A more strenuous set of exercises were then undertaken by the 12 play­ers who started on the substitute’s bench, while first-choice stars such as playmaker Omar Abdulrahman watched from the sidelines.

    The group then came back together prior to the end of the part of the session open to the watch­ing media. It was then that the detailed work on tactics and approach gleaned from the meeting with Oman would have kicked in.

    “We look forward to the com­ing match but it doesn’t hurt to talk about it [the Oman game],” Al Serkal added. “I believe having one point is much better than having zero points.

    “Oman is not an easy team, it’s a team that has a history of good performance in the Gulf Cup. They have done well in many of the last editions, winning it in 2009.

    “It was not a surprise for me that we drew against Oman, they are a team to be respected. Now, we must look forward to the coming match because we shall not continue respecting teams for their history.

    “I haven’t lost confidence in our team. Our players are in good shape.”

    Khaleej 22 kicked off with a gala opening ceremony in the Saudi capital on Thurs­day, with the list of visiting dignitaries headed by FIFA presi­dent Sepp Blatter and UEFA coun­terpart Michel Platini. Al Serkal believes their presence added “prestige” to the competition.

    He said: “There has always been a criticism for the Gulf Cup that it is not an official FIFA event. It will not ever be an official FIFA com­petition [because it is a regional tournament]. That he attended it gives it importance in FIFA. But not only was Sepp Blatter there, so was Michel Platini – it gives it prestige, at least.” 

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