Rashid optimistic about UAE's chances

Abu Dhabi: UAE and Al Jazira sweeper, Rashid Abdul Rahman, asked his teammates to forget the past glories and concentrate on the Asian Cup.

Rashid, who played a crucial role in helping the UAE win the Gulf Cup for the first time in the history of the event in December last year, told Gulf News yesterday: "We should forget our victory in the Gulf Cup and concentrate on the Asian Cup finals, which is tougher."

"The Gulf Cup victory will make others play us with respect, which means a harder work. The group is also very strong with defending champions Japan, Asian Games gold medallists Qatar and hosts Vietnam. Vietnam will be the dark horse of the group as they have the home advantage.

"I advise my teammates, specially the younger ones, to concentrate more on the opening match against the hosts, since a victory will give us a good chance of making the second round.

"Japan are the favourites to win the top place of the group. UAE have a good chance to winning the other berth, for which we have to be at our best against Vietnam and Qatar, who are not a push overs."

Rashid praised Bruno Metsu, the the UAE coach, for selecting a number of young players the squad like Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi from Al Wahda, Ahmad Mohammad from Al Jazira and Al Nasr's Amer Mubarak.

"They fully deserve their place in the team and are the future of the UAE. The veterans in the team will only be glad to give them the right advice and guide them in the right direction."

Plenty to offer

The 32-year-old gives himself at least another couple of years at the top level.

"I still have two or three years to play for my country and the club. It is of great importance for all the players, especially in this phase of professionalism, to take the utmost care of themselves, physically and technically.

"We need to change our lifestyle and start living like professional," he added.

"I am looking forward to a brighter future for the UAE's game and I believe that there are many good young players who will find their way to the national team in the near future," Rashid said.