Muscat: UAE's coach Dominique Bathenay denied that his team's crucial encounter against Qatar tonight has any personal implications because their opponents are led by Bathenay's former boss and ex-UAE coach Bruno Metsu.
"If the match was between myself and Bruno [Metsu] then I would hope that it will end in a draw because he is my friend. But because it will be between my team and his team then I will do my very best to win the match and there is no way I will plan for any other result." Bathenay told Gulf News yesterday.
"The match is of great importance because if we win it then we will secure our place in the semi-finals.
"Qatar also need to win because victory will consolidate their chances of reaching the semi-finals and it is clear that both teams will play for a win and that will not be achieved except by playing an attacking game and scoring goals.
"Winning will be difficult because Qatar is a good team. They played excellently against Saudi Arabia and they were the better team.
"They are good in attack and defence and they have fast players but we are also a good team and have our points of strength. Winning is difficult but not impossible and we will take our chance." Bathenay added.
Regarding the absence of his libero Faris Jumaa, Bathenay said "It is a loss to miss the services of Faris. He was our key central defender and was an important part of our play plan for the tournament. But we have good substitutes and they will do their best to cover his absence in this match."
Faris was unfairly sent off in the team's first match against Yemen after two yellow cards and will serve a one-match suspension.
"It is important that our players give the match their concentration and full focus especially at the start and the end. These are the critical moments when goals change the results and affect the performance of the teams. I have told my players about this point." Bathenay concluded.
