Sport | Football
Sponsored by
Journeyman makes his move, once again
The resignation of Bruno Metsu on Sunday marks the end of his second stint in the UAE, which witnessed some glorious moments as well as disappointments.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:53 September 22, 2008
- Members of the UAE football team during a training session under Bruno Metsu at the Al Ain Club in Al Ain. UAE won their first Gulf Cup under Metsu early last year, their biggest achievement under the French coach.
- Image Credit: Abdul Rehman/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: The resignation of Bruno Metsu on Sunday marks the end of his second stint in the UAE, which witnessed some glorious moments as well as disappointments.
Metsu started his task with the UAE on June 1 2006 and led the team in their preparations for the 18th Gulf Cup, which the UAE played hosts to later that year.
The UAE played their first match under Metsu against Iran in a friendly in Tehran, which they lost by a single goal. In his first official match in the Asian Cup qualifiers against Jordan in Amman, the UAE won 2-1 and earned a promotion to the finals of the Asian Cup in 2007 - his first achievement with the UAE.
Metsu's biggest success was leading the UAE to their first ever Gulf Cup title in January last year, when the team played their some of their best matches with determination, tactical knowledge, physical fitness and fighting spirit.
The Frenchman introduced a number of young and highly talented players to the national team: Mohammad Al Shehhi,, Ahmad Dada, Esmail Al Hammadi, Yousuf Jaber, Majed Nasir, Faris Juma and Ahmad Khalil. The youngsters have lived up to the challenge and form a solid foundation for the future now.
Asian Cup letdown
One of the biggest disappointments during his tenure came in the finals of the 2007 Asian Cup, when the UAE failed to teach the second round from a group also featuring Japan, Vietnam and Qatar. They ended up third in the group with a lone win against Qatar (2-1) after losing against Japan and the hosts.
The UAE started the Asian qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in style, trouncing Vietnam with a 6-0 aggregate in two matches and thus avenging their loss in the finals of the Asian Cup. The UAE went on to win a seat in the final round of qualifiers from a strong group that also featured Iran, Kuwait and Syria.
In the final round of qualifiers, the UAE were clubbed in Group B with North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran and South Korea. All their hopes were pinned on winning the first two matches at home but lost both and with it - almost lost all hopes of winning a seat in the 2010 finals.
Like in the past, Metsu seems to have shown a good sense of timing in leaving the UAE - realising that it would not be possible to do one better than what he has already achieved with the team.
After guiding rank outsiders Senegal to World Cup quarter finals in 2002, Metsu left them to become the head coach of Al Ain club in the UAE. Success came soon after as Al Ain won the local league and then the first AFC Champions League in 2003.
Only months after that he left them to take up a job with Al Qarrafa Club in Qatar, where he led them to winning the double and dominating the domestic football championships and.
Soon after, the journeyman coach made his next move to Saudi Arabia to coach Al Ittihad for two months before taking up his job with the UAE.
Report Card
The UAE team appeared in 42 matches during Metsu's term (( 22 official and 20 friendly), winning 13 (11 official), drawing 9 (3 official) and losing 20 (8 official) of them.
The team scored 47 goals in these matches and conceded 59.
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Pictures
Kings of the court
The world's top tennis players who will battle in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Sport Editor's choice
-
India trounce Sri Lanka to record 100th Test win
It was also India's biggest margin of victory over Sri Lanka surpassing their previous best
-
UAE take on Afghanistan in crucial clash
Both teams have equal points going into crucial match in Abu Dhabi
-
Al Qamzi comes second in Qatar Grand Prix
Emirati shadows winner Cappellini to finish and regains seven-point lead in 2009 UIM F1 Drivers' Championship
