The UAE national football team enters Wednesday’s final round-robin Gulf Cup match against Qatar with eyes set on maintaining their momentum. Having already secured a place in the semi-finals, the UAE leads the group on goal difference, holding six points alongside their upcoming opponents, Qatar. Mohammad Abdullah covers major sports event like FIFA WC, Cricket WC and Formula One. The UAE coach also informed that the atmosphere in the dressing room is positive and everyone wants to maintain the winning momentum against Qatar. And we want to continue working on the same approach and deliver our absolute best,” he concluded, we are ready for all possibilities in the semi-finals.
Despite the comfortable standing, Croatian head coach Zlatko Dalic has dismissed any notion of complacency. He emphasized that his team is preparing for a high-stakes encounter, stating, “Everyone realizes the importance of this clash, and we are seeking victory.” Dalic intends to use the match as an opportunity to test his squad’s depth, noting the physical toll of playing every three days. He aims to rotate his lineup to give fringe players experience while ensuring the team’s core style remains intact.
Defensive discipline remains a top priority for the UAE manager. Although the side recorded clean-sheet victories of 4-0 over Yemen and 3-0 over Bahrain, Dalic remains wary of the Qatari attacking threat. “We must be extra careful in the defence and at the same time we can try out different options in the attack,” he explained, describing the fixture as a critical dress rehearsal for the knockout rounds. He also stressed on the necessity of bolstering the defence.
UAE player Ali Saleh echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for focus and a strong performance to satisfy fans. “We don’t want any kind of leniency as this is an opportunity for us to do the dress rehearsal for the knockout stage,” Saleh said.
On the opposing side, Qatar’s coach Julen Lopetegui is placing heavy emphasis on tactical nuance. Recognizing the UAE as a dangerous title contender, Lopetegui urged his players to focus on small details rather than looking ahead to the semi-finals. He also confirmed plans to provide playing time to reserve squad members.
Lopetegui defended his tactical deployment of Akram Afif, who has been operating in a different role. “Akram made a number of sacrifices by playing in this role, and he is a player who is capable of scoring,” the coach noted. Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos added that the team’s primary focus is on fitness and evaluating players who have seen limited action thus far in the tournament.
In Group A’s concurrent action, Saudi Arabia aims to cement their position at the top of the table when they face Iraq. Having already secured a semi-final berth, the Saudis arrive with an unbeaten record, following a 1-0 win over Kuwait and a 3-0 victory against Oman.
Serafeim Anglenas, the assistant coach for Saudi Arabia, reported that the team is managing injury concerns heading into the game. Despite these setbacks, the objective remains clear: securing the top spot. “We have some new players, and we will give them a chance to play,” Anglenas confirmed, adding that the staff must balance testing personnel with the desire to win.
Away from the pitch, administrative developments took place as the Gulf Cup Football Federation’s Executive Committee met in Jeddah. Chaired by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani, the committee reviewed the hosting rights for the upcoming 28th edition of the Gulf Cup.
The committee formally awarded Iraq the rights to host the 28th Gulf Cup, accepting their bid as the sole submission from member associations. The decision was confirmed in accordance with the regulatory standards set by the federation, marking a significant step forward for the next tournament cycle.
