Abu Dhabi: The UAE's impressive 4-2 World Cup qualifying win over Lebanon on Wednesday marked the end of an era for the national team, with both the coach and captain stepping down following the game.
Manager Dr Abdullah Misfir took charge after Slovenian Srecko Katanec was sacked midway through the UAE's failed attempt to reach the next stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Misfir brought about changes in personnel and tactics in his quest to help build a team for the future, but his contract was set to expire by May.
A number of players will also give up playing international matches, including team captain and central defender Basheer Saeed, who signed off with two goals against Lebanon. He had previously announced his intention to retire from international duty two years ago but Misfir convinced him to come back.
Though it came too late with the UAE having lost their first five qualification matches, Wednesday's victory was sweet for the few home fans who turned out at the Al Nahyan Stadium.
Most local fans ignored the match since even a win would do nothing to help their team repeat their historical run into the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy. In fact, the majority of the spectators in the stadium were Lebanese, who had come to see their team reach the final stage of the qualifiers for the first time in their history.
"It was good to win at last." Misfir said. "I am happy that the next coach will find a group of good players in the team from which he can build a formidable team."
Search for successor
It is no secret that the Transitional Committee of the UAE Football Association, headed by Yousuf Al Sarkal, is negotiation with some candidates to take over the national team before their next outing in the Arab Cup in August, but Al Sarkal clarified after the match that rumours that a contract had been signed with Brazilian coach Abel Braga, who led Al Jazira to a domestic double last season, were nothing more than speculation.
"We have not signed yet any contracts with any foreign coach for the national team, although we are trying to finish this matter very soon to allow him to watch the remaining part of the season to select the players for the team." Al Sarkal said.
About the match, Al Sarkal added: "The victory proves that there was hard work done in the past few weeks, especially bearing in mind that the team defeated both Uzbekistan and Palestine in friendly matches before the official game against Lebanon."
