Sport | Football
Do or die!
Hosts UAE face Yemen at 7.10pm tonight in a do-or-die encounter on the second day of the 18th Gulf Cup soccer competition.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
- Hassan Al Gilani (No 17) of Oman and Esmail Mattar of the UAE fight for possession during the opening match of the 18th Gulf Cup.
- Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Hosts UAE face Yemen at 7.10pm tonight in a do-or-die encounter on the second day of the 18th Gulf Cup soccer competition.
The UAE are at the bottom of the group standings, following their 2-1 defeat in the opener against Oman, while Yemen and Kuwait drew 1-1 in the other match last Wednesday.
The UAE hope to win both their remaining matches and collect six points in order to make it to the last-four stage of the competition.
Bruno Metsu, the head coach of the UAE, will have to find a replacement for his pivot, Hilal Saeed, who was sent off in the first match.
Hassan Ali Ebrahim or Ali Abbass are expected to feature in today's match. The Frenchman is expected to opt for an attacking ploy in the remaining two matches because the UAE need to win both their games.
However, Metsu may not start the match with Faisal Khalil who looked off colour in the opener.
More so, since he had also missed the team's last friendly match owing to an injury. Salem Sa'ad or Saeed Al Kass may partner Mohammad Omar up front, with Esmail Mattar close behind.
The UAE's technical staff have to find a solution to the team's problems with inaccurate passing. They squandered several moves in the opening game because of this.
The hosts' defence needs to be aware of Yemen's fast and organised counter-attacks, while the strikers need to find ways to penetrate Yemen's solid defence.
Yemen played a spectacular match against Kuwait, staying in the lead for about 74 minutes, thanks to a beautiful goal by Ali Al Omgy.
Their strongest point is their fighting spirits and determination.
An early goal by the UAE may perhaps help in breaking their morale. Otherwise, Yemen may well emerge as a difficult proposition to dea with.
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