Rashid confident ahead of encounter

Muscat: The UAE's team manager, Esmail Rashid, was brimming with confidence just hours before his team's crucial tie against favourites Saudi Arabia in the final day of qualifications in the 19th Gulf Cup.

"We are capable of beating the Saudis," Rashid told Gulf News yesterday. "We did that two years ago and we can do it again tonight.

"Yes, we have great respect for the Saudi Arabian team as one of the best teams in Asia. We know that they defeated us 2-1 at home last year during World Cup qualifications, but this time it is different.

"We have a new team with many young faces and they are determined to go further in the competition in their quest to defend the title their country won for the first time in 2007," he said.

"It will be a special encounter and difficult because we have to face the favourites to win the title, but we are a good team and our players believe that they are second to none.

"They have already played two excellent matches showing tactical maturity, physical fitness, mutual understanding of each other and individual talent.

"What more does a team need?" Rashid added.