LONDON: The UAE may have got to the final on the back of dogged defense rather than an awesome attack, but Alberto Zaccheroni has promised goals in Friday’s Gulf Cup final against Oman.
The Italian’s side is yet to score from open play in the tournament, with Zaccheroni being criticized for being too defensive. But having made it through a tough group, which included tonight’s opponents and Saudi Arabia, and scraped past highly fancied Iraq on penalties in Wednesday’s semifinal Zaccheroni says the UAE will do everything they can to get the goals to ensure victory at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.
“We’re not a defensive team: I am focused on striking a balance between defensive and offensive performance,” the UAE boss insisted.
“I know we have not scored goals, but I aim to build a strong team who can score a lot. However, I’m more interested in the performance because that will lead to us scoring goals. If we play better in the final, there will be goals. Most important for me is creating opportunities.”
Having only been appointed UAE coach in mid-October, replacing Edgardo Bauza who became Saudi Arabia coach for an ill-feted short stint, and then led the side to Friday’s final it may seem extremely harsh that Zaccheroni is on the receiving end of criticism. Not least because the Whites head into the final as favorites against the in-form Omanis.
What has been most impressive about the UAE has been the speed with which the players have adapted to Zaccheroni’s tactics and, in turn, the way in which the Italian has placed a lot of faith in them to go onto the pitch and enact his plans.
UAE's Mohammed Barqesh celebrates after scoring a penalty. (AFP)
“(Oman) have been one of the best teams in the tournament and have played at a strong level. But I trust our players and they are confident they can win the game,” Zaccheroni said.
“They accept the responsibility. I thank the players because I’m a new manager with new tactics, but they have adapted quickly to them, especially playing four games in 10 days.”
While the Italian made plain his frustration there was not another day’s rest before tonight’s showdown he cut a calm, confident figure at the pre-final press conference. And he is sure that the UAE will leave nothing on the pitch as they go in search of a third Gulf Cup title.
“Our ambition is very high. The players are ready for the final,” the former AC Milan boss said.
“The match will be tough. We respect the Omani national team, they have had a great performance in his previous matches, and deserve to be in the final. I am very happy because we are in the final. We are ready to win the game, and to win the Gulf Cup.”
OMAN EXPECTS
While scoring goals has not been a problem for Oman, Pim Verbeek is all too aware that may not count for much tonight.
The Reds lost to the UAE 1-0 in their opening group game but since then have scored four times as they topped Group A before beating Bahrain in the semifinal.
They may be the tournament’s surprise package and heading into the final on a high, but Verbeek, who was appointed Oman boss just over a year ago, knows they will not get their hands on the trophy unless they can work out a way past the UAE’s formidable defense.
“We know it will be a difficult game. If you see the Emirates’ results, they didn’t concede one goal,” the former Australia and South Korea coach said.
“Four games, four clean sheets, for me they are the best defending team in the (tournament). So we know it’s going to be difficult to score goals against them, but that’s the challenge.
“We have to score a goal if we want to take the cup and keep a clean sheet ourselves. We can do the job, but it will be a very tough game.”
Oman players celebrate during their semifinal clash with Bahrain in the Gulf Cup. (Reuters)
For some the prospect of facing the team that inflicted their only defeat of the tournament so far might be at best worrying, at worse daunting. Verbeek, however, claims the scoreline was misleading and that Oman will take confidence from that loss into the final.
“I know we lost the first match, but the first match was by far our best match. Emirates knows that also. We have won the last three matches, we are confident we can do the job,” he said.
Adding to that optimism is the fact that he has a fully fit squad to pick from and a feeling that, having shocked many by making it this far, that this could be their year.
“We are relaxed of course. We’re in the final, we did very well,” Verbeek said.
“We won the last three matches. My whole selection is fit, ready to play so we are relaxed for that and confident of course. If you’re not confident that you can win the cup it’s better to go back to Oman already.”