UAE faces Bahrain in Gulf Cup group stage clash today

The UAE national football team will face Bahrain on Sunday in a crucial Group B encounter at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, with both teams aiming for a positive result to boost their chances of advancing to the next round.

UAE head coach Zlatko Dalic emphasized the importance of the match, stressing that his players are ready to secure a result that brings the team closer to its main goal in the tournament: qualification for the next stage.

Speaking at a press conference in Jeddah on Saturday, Dalic noted that the UAE will face a strong opponent with experienced players and a distinguished technical staff. He said that winning Sunday’s match would be a significant step toward qualification, adding that the team must deliver a better performance than in the opening round.

Dalic added that the coaching staff has put the previous match against Yemen behind them and is now fully focused on the Bahrain game, working to capitalize on opportunities and strengthen the team’s defensive solidity. He highlighted that the tournament features many strong teams and that the race for qualification remains open.

For his part, UAE player Nicolas Gimenez confirmed the squad’s readiness, noting the close level of all participating teams and expressing the team’s ambition to continue their positive results and meet the expectations of their fans.

Meanwhile, Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic acknowledged the difficulty of the match against the UAE, pointing out that the tournament has seen closely contested competition and that all teams still have a chance to qualify.

Talajic praised the UAE’s performance in their first match and expressed confidence in his players’ ability to improve in Sunday’s game. He stressed the need to maintain focus and speed throughout the match and to avoid giving the opponent any decisive opportunities.

He also highlighted the strong relationship between the Bahrain team and its fans, expressing hope to deliver a performance that satisfies Bahraini supporters and commending Zlatko Dalic’s work with the UAE squad.

Bahrain player Mahdi Abduljabbar also confirmed his team’s readiness, explaining that the technical staff had focused in recent training sessions on addressing tactical notes and improving finishing in front of goal. He stressed the players’ confidence in the adopted approach and their determination to deliver their best against the UAE on Sunday.