Riyadh: UAE midfielder Habib Fardan feels The Whites have a target painted on their back after winning the last Gulf Cup and warns his teammates they will have to be stronger than ever to overcome hosts Saudi Arabia in Sunday’s semi-final.
The defending champions qualified second from Group B behind Oman after Thursday’s 2-0 win over Iraq, which followed draws with Oman 0-0 and Kuwait 2-2.
But their sternest test is to yet to come from the Saudis, who, supported by 70,000 fans at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, threaten to deny the UAE from retaining the title.
“This tournament is a lot harder because we are the champions in the last tournament,” said the Al Ahli talisman. “Everyone will try to do their best against us, but we have to be stronger than last time and we should try to do our best.”
Saudi qualified top of Group A to set up this semi-final clash with the UAE, after recording an opening 1-1 draw with Qatar and two unconvincing wins over Yemen 1-0 and Bahrain 3-0. But Fardan feels The Green Falcons will up the stakes again in the closing stages.
“It’s in their field and in front of their fans,” he said. “But we are looking to win and we hope to god that we get good luck.
“We need to get ready for this next game now and we hope to play our best against Saudi. God willing we will do our best to win this game.”
The UAE’s victory over Iraq on Thursday has been The Whites’ sole moment of glory so far this tournament, after two opening draws. But Fardan said it proved his teammates could turn it on when they need to, perhaps boding well for the game against Saudi.
“We knew that we couldn’t go from the first round,” he said. “There was a feeling among the players that we couldn’t go from the first round, so thanks god we won this game and now we are looking forward to the next game.”
Fellow UAE midfielder Khamis Esmail will be missing from Sunday’s game against Saudi due to suspension from two earlier yellow cards, but the Al Jazira centre reiterates Fardan’s belief in the team.
“The game will be difficult and our focus must be at its best if we are to stand a chance of qualifying for the final,” he said. “Hopefully we can make the fans happy and go beyond the semi-finals to reach the final for a second time in a row.”
