Teams keen to give off their best in Gulf Cup

Abu Dhabi: Players and coaches of the participating teams of the 18th Gulf Cup are brimming with confidence ahead of the tournament.

The regional tournament will kick off in Abu Dhabi on January 17 when the hosts take on Oman in the first group that also features Kuwait and Yemen. The second group comprises defending champions Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Bahrain.

Brazilian Marcos Bakita, the head coach of Saudi Arabia, said his team will return from the tournament with the trophy which they had last won in Kuwait in 2003.

"We will be competing in a tough group, but I have complete confidence in my players and really believe that we have a good chance to win the title," Bakita said.

The Saudis will be up against Qatar, who won the gold medal at the Asian Games last month, and Iraq - the runners-up in Asian Games. Moreover, they will also have to overcome the challenge from Bahrain, who have made a name for themselves recently.

Iraq are expected to arrive today in Sharjah and have their training camp before the tournament. The Iraqis won the respect of the Asian continent when they won the silver medal at the Asian Games.

Razzaq Farhan, the Iraqi who plays as a professional striker with Hatta club, said: "We have a good team with many professionals. Our result in the Asian Games proves that we are a strong side. The favourites do not always win the title, but this time I am sure that we have a good chance."

Badr Al Maymani, the Omani professional midfielder with Al Ahli club in Qatar, said his team lost the 17th Gulf Cup in Qatar in 2004 because of bad luck in the penalty shootouts.

"This time, we are determined to compensate that. We have a strong team with many professionals and we are capable of winning the title," Al Maymani confirmed, though the Oman coach, Milan Macala, said he was not happy with his team's preparation.