UAE's World Cup hopes dented

Abu Dhabi: The UAE lost at home to the North Koreans 2-1 late on Saturday to have their hopes of a seat in the finals of the 2010 World Cup dented.

But good luck, which abandoned the team in their match against the Koreans, helped them as Saudi Arabia and Iran settled for a 1-1 tie to open the gate wide open for all the teams - especially as favourites South Korea will kick off their campaign on Wednesday.

The match was a big disappointment, not only for the few local fans who fought the high heat and humidity and came to the stadium, but mainly for the UAE's players and head coach, Bruno Metsu, bearing in mind the Koreans were outplayed and outmanoeuvred for all of the first half in which the home team dominated the match but failed to score.

Many easy chances came their way while the Koreans kept defending with eight players with the minimum effort while the UAE boys did their best to break the stubborn and solid defence of the visitors.

Esmail Mattar, Subait Khater Basheer Saeed and Abdul Rahim Juma, all tried to break the Korean defence by resorting to long-range shots but their efforts failed.

The second half was different. The Koreans who had a single shot towards the UAE goal in the whole first half - in the 43rd minute, started after the breather pressing for a goal realising they had succeeded in their plan to exhaust the home players in the first half letting them do all the moves while they kept on their penalty box. Their strategy proved a success and they were soon leading when the overenthusiastic defender Basheer deflected the ball into his own goal in the 71st minute of the match. The fast countermove was led by Choe Kum Chol on the right flank.

The home team panicked and lost concentration for the Koreans to add another goal, eight minutes later when substitute An Chol Hyok found the bottom of the UAE's net with a grounder from outside the box.

Angered

The second goal angered the few local fans and they hurled empty water bottles and cans onto the field and the match was halted for five minutes during which Juma, the UAE captain, tried to convince the fans to stop their bad behaviour but he was shouted at and the fans expressed their disappointment at the team's performance, with most of them leaving the stadium.

Basheer made amends and scored the UAE's consolation goal in the 86th minute. His fierce shot was deflected into the net by Ri Kwang, the Korean's defender.

The UAE failed to score the equaliser in the remaining time and the North Koreans registered their first victory over the UAE in seven matches.

The UAE failed to score the equaliser in the remaining time and the North Koreans registered their first victory over the UAE in seven matches.

Defeat: Coach blamed

Khalil Ganem, Fahad Khamis and Ali Thani, all members of the UAE "golden team" which won a seat in the finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy blamed both the players and the UAE coach for the unexpected home defeat against North Korea on Saturday.

Talking to Dubai Sport TV, Khaims, one of the best strikers in the history of the country, said: "The coach depended upon highly talented players but they played as individuals and their capabilities did not help the team because many times they moved without assistance.

"The team dominated the first half but failed to score a single goal . That is one of the biggest problems of the team at the same time we find that Metsu kept Faisal Khalil, the league top scorer on the bench and was never used in the whole match," Fahad added.

Ganem, sweeper of the "golden team", said: 'The team defended soundly all over the field and kept their opponents at bay in the first half but in the second they failed to adapt to the speed of the Koreans and gave them space to build their counter-attacking moves. The two Korean goals were proof of bad tackling from our defenders. I do hope they find solutions to the lack of concentration."

Thani said: "The responsibility of the head coach of any team is to select the right line-up, make the right substitution during the matches and decide a suitable plan of play. I am convinced that Metsu in this particular match made several mistakes in all these points. I am not saying he is the only one responsible for the defeat, the players shoulder the biggest responsibility.

"I have confidence in both the players and the coach and I do hope they will show their true worth in the next match against the Saudis on Wednesday."

Do you think the UAE team will still be able to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa? How would you rate their chances for a setback? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

I watched on the TV and it became apparent the UAE were playing as a team of individuals and showed little cohesion or tactical awareness. In the second half the defence looked like they didn't even know each other. The Koreans were worthy winners and in truth didn't look in too much trouble despite the UAE's first half possession. On this performance, I can't imagine the UAE qualifying.
Rob
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 08, 2008, 12:22

It's gonna be difficult for the UAE team. They have to keep in their mind that they have to face teams like Iran & Saudi Arabia
Amer
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 08, 2008, 10:05

Disppointing match.
Suhail
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 08, 2008, 10:03

it will be a tough job against Saudi and Iran, yet the UAE team will save its chances if it makes at least a tie in the next game against Saudi. Good Luck
Ramzi
Dubai,Algeria
Posted: September 08, 2008, 09:41

They couldnt beat the easiest team in the group at home. How do they expect to take on South Korea , Saudi Arabia , Iran. I guess instead of spending money on Manchester City, they should get high quality coaches like Gus Hiddink and try to get some UAE players to play in Europe
Shakil
Brisbane,Australia
Posted: September 08, 2008, 07:07