UAE and Qatar coaches declare teams ready for Gulf Cup clash in Jeddah

UAE national team head coach Zlatko Dalic has confirmed his squad is ready to face Qatar tomorrow at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, as part of the 27th Gulf Cup, despite fatigue from a packed schedule and the absence of several players due to injury.

Speaking at a press conference today, Dalic said the technical staff had given opportunities to players who had not featured in previous matches, praising the team’s atmosphere and the players’ quick adaptation. He emphasized that everyone understands the importance of the upcoming match, adding that he will watch the Saudi Arabia vs. Iraq game but will not alter his strategy based on its result, stressing that the focus remains on securing victory regardless of other outcomes.

UAE player Ali Saleh added that the squad is concentrating on the next match, aiming to deliver a performance that satisfies Emirati fans and to secure a win.

Qatar’s preparations and focus on details

For his part, Qatar national team head coach Julen Lopetegui stressed the importance of focusing on details and thorough preparation, noting that the UAE is among the tournament’s strongest contenders. He pointed out that the short preparation period requires full attention to his players’ readiness, and said he would watch the Saudi Arabia vs. Iraq match for information, while keeping the main focus on his own team.

Lopetegui praised the performance of several players and underlined the importance of maintaining collective play to achieve positive results.

Qatar player Hassan Al-Haydos said the team had prepared well for the match with a recovery session and by working to improve performance in training. He noted that the tight schedule of tournament football limits preparation time, and affirmed his ongoing passion for the game, stating he is not considering retirement at this stage.