Metsu calls for improvement in teamwork

Abu Dhabi: Head coach Bruno Metsu expressed his satisfaction with the UAE's 2-1 win over Yemen in Saturday's Gulf Cup league match but has said that he wants to see an improvement in the teamwork.

"In football, it is the results that count. We needed to win and we won. I am happy with the team," the Frenchman said.

"But it is the teamwork that I am still concerned about," said the Frenchman.

Meanwhile, most of the UAE players admitted that they did not perform to their true capabilities because of the pressure.

"The most important thing is that we earned the three points," said playmaker Esmail Mattar. "Beating Yemen was a must for us to boost the morale and psychologically help us prepare for our last and crucial encounter against Kuwait.

"We now need to win and reach the semifinals. We cannot afford to be eliminated from a tournament in which we are the hosts."

Sweeper Rashid Abdul Rahman said that the team were under tremendous pressure and that prevented them from playing freely and scoring more goals.

"We were afraid to lose the match and our only aim was to win the three points somehow," he said.

"We were not concentrating on a good performance. It was the result that mattered and that's why we could not attack more freely."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's crucial match against Kuwait, Metsu said: "Every match is important and different from the other. When we played Yemen, we did not apply the same plan which we applied against Oman.

"We will be ready for Kuwait when the time comes."

Adel Abdul Aziz, the team's left full back added: "I know our next match will be vital but we will find a way to achieve our goal and to win promotion to the last four.

"I have a lot of respect for Kuwait but we have confidence in our capabilities."