Riyadh: UAE coach Mahdi Ali has put the Whites’ 2013 Gulf Cup win firmly behind him ahead of their opening group game against Oman at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium on Friday (6.45pm UAE).
The UAE recorded their second Gulf Cup victory with a 2-1 extra time final win over Iraq in Bahrain two years ago, but now Ali is warning his players to forget that even happened.
“We got the title two years ago, but that is in the past now,” Ali told media here on Thursday. “Football only recognises certain needs and one is the amount of effort needed in every game. All teams are equal and no one recognises our recent history.
“As champions we have a great team, who are considered heroes of the past, but now we must think about our new role.
“I think this competition is five steps and tomorrow is our first step in this competition, we hope only to concentrate on our first game.”
The UAE have the upper hand over Oman in 18 previous Gulf Cup meetings, having won 10 to the sultanate’s three, and the last time the two sides met the UAE recorded a comfortable 2-0 win in the group stages of the last Gulf Cup.
However, as defending champions, the UAE now carry a heavy burden. One that coach Ali was eager to play down ahead of this latest encounter.
“There is no pressure on the UAE,” he said. “We must adapt and get used to this matter. We’ve played with pressure several times before and our players are experienced, so we are used to it.”
The last time these two sides met in a Gulf Cup opener, it ended in a shock 2-1 victory for Oman in Abu Dhabi in 2007. However, the UAE reversed and avenged that loss to beat the sultanate 2-1 in the final of the same tournament.
Ali said the UAE, who are reportedly injury-free, should be on their guard for similar upsets, regardless of the fact Oman were plagued by injury — star striker Emad Al Hosani being their biggest loss.
“We are fully aware of Oman and their circumstances, but we also know the Omani team does not worry about its injuries, and perhaps the alternative of a hard-working player coming into the squad is just as dangerous.”
UAE striker Esmail Matar, who scored the late winner against Oman in the 2007 final, said the team hoped to get off to a good start, but warned his teammates that wasn’t guaranteed.
“We are fully prepared to meet Oman but it won’t be easy,” he said. “They have a great goalkeeper in Ali Al Habsi, who has won the tournament’s golden glove on many occasions. Therefore we fully respect our opponent.
“Our players are experienced in their roles and that’s characterised by the older players extending tips to the youngest squad members,” he added. “So, we hope to give a good account of ourselves, and we want to defend our title.”
