Abu Dhabi : The UAE team left for Yemen yesterday to take part in the Gulf Cup which kicks off today. Head coach Srecko Katanec was confident about his team's chances in the regional competition, despite the team excluding many key players because of commitments to the Olympic side and also because Al Wahda Club's players have been kept away.
"I am confident that the players in the team will do their best to achieve good results for the country. They are ambitious to achieve victory in their matches.
"We are going to Yemen to enjoy the game and also give a good impression about the [standard of the] game in the UAE. We expect to reach the second round at least.
Big victory
"I am satisfied with the performance of the team. They played against India and won 5-0. The big victory was not because the Indian team was weak but because our stronger performance makes the opponents unable to play their game," said the coach.
"This victory is important as it will increase the players' confidence and boost their capabilities, especially as some of them are new and need a morale booster," Katanec concluded before leaving for Yemen.
Meanwhile, Subait Khater, the team's experienced midfielder, praised the determination and fighting spirit, especially the debutants who have proved their worth.
"We have many new young players who were playing for the first time for their country in the match against India and they were an excellent addition to the team.
"I am sure that they will be keen to do even better in the official matches to secure their place in the line-up — specially for the Asian Cup.
Optimistic outlook
"I am optimistic about our chances in the Gulf Cup and I am confident about our capabilities. We just need a bit of good luck to achieve our objectives in the tournament."
The UAE will compete in group B with reigning champions Oman, Asian champions Iraq and Bahrain. They will open their campaign against Iraq tomorrow.
Players replaced
Srecko Katanec, the head coach of the UAE, has invited Ali Mabkhoot, the Al Jazira striker and Fadil Ahmad, the Al Wasl midfielder, to join the team leaving for Yemen to take part in the Gulf Cup. Katanec was forced to invite new players after illness prevented his left wingback, Saif Mohammad, from making the trip to Yemen yesterday. The two players joined the delegation at the Abu Dhabi airport before taking a private jet to Aden.
-Y.A.
