UAE Coach: We Aim to Defeat Qatar and Will Give Opportunities to Several Players
UAE coach reaffirms the pursuit of victory against Qatar despite player fatigue, granting opportunities to non-call-ups.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Jeddah, September 29 (KUNA) -- UAE national football team coach Zlatko Dalic affirmed on Tuesday that his side is aiming to defeat Qatar in their upcoming match in the 27th edition of the Gulf Cup of Nations, despite some players suffering from fatigue.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the clash, Dalic noted that playing every three days poses a challenge for the players. He pointed out that midfielder Yuri Cesar is injured and will not participate in tomorrow’s game, while the coaching staff will give playing time to several squad members who have not featured in previous matches.
He added that the UAE team is competing in a major tournament and is fully aware of the importance of the Gulf Cup and the upcoming fixture. Dalic emphasized that he has told his players they do not need extra motivation, as everyone understands the value of the match, stating, “I want to win, and the team wants to win.”
He described the team environment as excellent, characterized by solidarity and mutual encouragement, noting that the squad has begun to feel like a single family. He had expected to reach this level of harmony after six months, but the team achieved it in a much shorter period of work.
When asked about a potential semi-final opponent, Dalic said he is following the teams in Group A and will watch the Saudi Arabia vs. Iraq match. He stressed that he does not want to engage in premature calculations given the strength of all the participating teams, and that his side will face in the next round a team that has previously participated in the FIFA World Cup.
Dalic confirmed that the UAE team will not change its style or tactics based on the identity of its next opponent. “This is not my style. We will stick to our plan and see what happens. If you want to be a champion, you must defeat any opponent,” he said. (End) K.N.S./T.M.A
