Sport | Football
UAE is top contender, says Metsu
Former UAE head coach Bruno Metsu denied saying that the UAE is not one of the contenders for the title of the 19th Gulf Cup and praised the improvement of the team under Dominique Bathenay, his former assistant.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:35 January 4, 2009
- Qatar's soccer coach Bruno Metsu.
- Image Credit: Reuters
Muscat: Former UAE head coach Bruno Metsu denied saying that the UAE is not one of the contenders for the title of the 19th Gulf Cup and praised the improvement of the team under Dominique Bathenay, his former assistant.
"I did not say that the UAE are not a favourite to win the title. I have great respect for them and their head coach Dominique [Bathenay] who is my friend."
Metsu told Gulf News yesterday. "In fact, I regard all the teams, including my team, Qatar, as qualified to win the title and that's what makes the tournament so difficult."
"I have noticed the improvement of the UAE team with Dominique and I believe they are a good team and one of the best in the region," Metsu, who led the UAE to win the 18th Gulf Cup in 2007 for the first time, added.
About his team's first match against Saudi Arabia today, Metsu said: "The first match in such a tournament is always difficult because if you lose, then you will mostly, lose the chance of competing for the title. We are prepared for this tournament and we have come, like all others, to win the title but we have to win our first match and then plan ahead.
"The Gulf Cup is one of the strongest competitions in Asia. The final of the last Asian Cup in 2007 featured Iraq and Saudi Arabia, both from the Gulf and both are taking part in this tournament, which proves the strength of the region's teams. Beating such teams is not an easy task but we have confidence and we will do our best." Metsu said.
Metsu said that Oman, as hosts and judging by their results in the last two tournaments, are favourites and have a good chance to win the title for the first time.
"This is the golden generation of football in Oman. They have played in the last two finals of the tournament but lost and this is their chance to realise their dream because they have never achieved anything whether in regional or continental levels."
Asked if he watched recent matches of the UAE, Metsu said "I don't have to watch them. I know even the new players they have added to the team."
About the criticism against him after Qatar lost their two matches in the qualifiers of the World Cup under his guidance, Metsu said: "I took over less than a week before their match against Australia and then without having enough time to prepare the team as I would have wished, we played against Japan.
:People should have some patience. Now the have started changing to what I want but I need more time to achieve my goal." Metsu added.
Metsu expressed his sorrow about Esmail Mattar missing the first match due to his father's death. "His absence is a great loss not only to his team but to all who love to watch entertaining football, I like to see him play. I hope he will return soon to the team."
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