Doha: The UAE squad struck an optimistic note when they arrived on Friday afternoon, was one of the last to arrive from among the 16 teams in the Asian Cup which kicked off on Friday night.
Even as almost the whole of Doha and a 40,000 crowd watched a spectacular opening ceremony and the inaugural match between Qatar and Uzbekistan, the UAE players had their first training session around the same time.
Coach Srecko Katanec, pleased with his team's 2-0 win over Syria and a 0-0 draw against the strong Australians on Wednesday night, said he was happy the spotlight was not on his team.
"We are not being named as favourites for the Cup so that will help as there will not be much pressure on my players," said Katanec.
"Right now I want the team to just focus on the first match against North Korea. We have enough information about them and we will just work out to play and make a winning start," he said.
Young Al Wahda defender Hamdan Al Kamali, who is expected to shoulder much of the burden in a new-look defence, said: "This Asian Cup gives the current generation of players the opportunity to give shape to a futuristic UAE team".
"The recent success of the UAE at various age level tournaments encourages us to put a good show and repay the confidence of the UAE FA and the fans," Al Kamali said.
Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khasief urged UAE fans to make the trip to Doha to support the national team. "Doha is not very far and we hope the UAE fans come to the stadium to support us. It will be a huge morale boost to the team," the bearded goalkeeper said.
"We are very optimistic of doing well but will take one match at a time," Ali Khasief said.
Rashid Al Zaabi, Deputy Head of Mission of the UAE national team said from the UAE FA's point of view the goal was very simple. "We just want the UAE team to first get into the last eight from this tough group. After that it will be a knockout competition and we will see," he said.
The UAE have drawn the ‘Group of Death' with defending champions Iraq, strong contenders Iran and North Korea.
They open their campaign against North Korea on January 11.
