Manama: An extra day’s rest and an easier last game over Oman have handed the UAE an advantage heading into Tuesday’s semi-finals, according to Kuwait coach Goran Tufegdzic.
The UAE were able to rest eight starting players in their academic last match over the Sultanate on Friday, while Kuwait had to fight for 90 minutes for progression to the semi-finals in a must-win last group bout over heavyweights Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
But, despite the UAE’s extra breathing space heading into the semi-final with Kuwait on Tuesday at the National Stadium from 5.15pm, it remains an even game in Tufegdzic’s eyes.
“I don’t think there is a favourite,” said Tufegdzic. “Both sides have an equal chance of qualifying.
“I think the UAE are in a better position because they have had one more day of recovery following the group games and they weren’t playing their full team against Oman. But it will be a good match, where my team will really have to respect what the UAE has done.”
UAE coach Mahdi Ali denied his counterpart’s claims, though, commenting: “Two days are enough for any team to recover and that was just the way of the draw.”
Tufegdzic, who joined Kuwait in February 2009 and oversaw their 2010 Gulf Cup win, added: “We may have had one less day to recover. But in the last three games, I’ve rotated many players and I’m confident my staff and doctors have done all they can in these last two days to try and recover our players to be at their best against the UAE.
“We played three very good matches and improvements in training have made me very proud. To play with three different systems in the last three matches wasn’t easy, but I’m generally satisfied with our performances.
“We can’t think about the final yet. First we must cross the UAE and take it step by step. They are not an easy opponent. But surely the time we’ve spent together and our history in this competition count for something.”
Tufegdzic added: “Both groups were equally tough to emerge from and all national teams have similar quality. All teams deserve their slot in the semi-finals. From the beginning to end, there is no favourite, as there is not enough difference between all the competitors.”
