Sport | Football

Sponsored by

Top defence prevented goals: Misfer

Dr Abdullah Misfer, the assistant coach of the UAE, has said that the outstanding defences of both the UAE and Qatar had deprived both teams as yet from winning sufficient points to secure a place in the Gulf Cup semifinals.

  • By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 23:47 January 9, 2009
  • Gulf News

Muscat: Dr Abdullah Misfer, the assistant coach of the UAE, has said that the outstanding defences of both the UAE and Qatar had deprived both teams as yet from winning sufficient points to secure a place in the Gulf Cup semifinals.

"Both teams have not commit defensive mistakes which denied them the necessary goals. Both have to win their remaining matches to earn places in the semifinals." Misfer told Gulf News.

"The UAE and Qatar know everything about each other and they showed great respect for each other which prevented them from making attacking gambles which could have cost them dear.

"We were better in the first half and they played good soccer in the second. Now both of them should win their last match in the first round to go further in the competition."

And about their next opponents Saudi Arabia, Misfer said, "The Saudis are one of the best teams in Asia and their strength is in their midfield and front line-up which features Malek Mouaz and Yasir Al Qahtani.

"We are also a good team and we have our ways of dealing with them. We have to win the points and we are capable of achieving that as we did two years ago in the semifinals."

The UAE beat Saudi Arabia by a single goal scored by Esmail Mattar to reach the finals of the 18th Gulf Cup on their way to lift the cup.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from Football

  1. Etisalat offers chance to win Fifa cup tickets

  2. Ireland appeal to be 33rd team at World Cup finals

  3. Henry has his hand in France's victory

  4. Wenger's sour grapes fail to spoil Drogba's vintage

All articles in Football

More from Sport

Gulf News
Popular in Sport
Famous female golfers
Pictures

Famous female golfers

A look at some famous female golfers, teeing off with Annika Sorenstam

Sport Editor's choice