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Metsu heaps praise on UAE players

The UAE's head coach, Bruno Metsu, was all praise for his players and the fans. The strategy was to draw the Saudi players outside their half to create spaces for us, says the coach.

  • By Yasir Abbasher, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • UAE's head coach, Bruno Metsu.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News archive

Abu Dhabi: The UAE's head coach, Bruno Metsu, was all praise for his players and the fans.

"I thank my players and our loyal fans for the big victory in the match," Metsu said.

"My players played a spirited match and showed courage. They perfectly applied the strategy to draw the Saudi players outside their half in order to create spaces for us and it succeeded as Esmail's goal proves. I have watched the match between Saudi Arabia and Iraq and decided to adopt that approach to the Saudi net," Metsu confirmed.

Metsu defended his decision to bring in midfielder Khalid Darwish in the last minutes of the match to replace striker Faisal Khalil, instead of fast striker Salem Sa'ad.

"I did not need a fast player at that time, I needed a player to absorb the enthusiasm of the Saudis, who were trying to press against our goal. The match was very difficult and we have to deal with the opponents with great respect and caution. We were not afraid of them, but we wanted to apply the plan that guarantees victory."

Regarding the final against Oman, Metsu said: "First the UAE and Oman proved that the first group was not an easy group as everyone was saying. Even in the final, both teams are from the first group," he added.

"Regarding the final match, there are many options and we will decide about the line up and tactics on the day of the match. We have respect for Oman, who have won all their matches, but we have confidence in our capabilities," Metsu concluded.

Carlos Bakita, whose task with the Saudi team seems to have come to an end, was lavish in praise of Esmail Mattar.

"He (Mattar) surprised my players. He is very intelligent. I asked my players to mark him tightly, but he succeeded to escape the trap and scored the all-important goal."

Bakita refused to answer a question about his future with the team.

"My team played good matches and excelled in attack and defence and I am happy and pleased with their performances."

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