UAE coach Dalic eyes Gulf Cup title against strong Saudi side

UAE national football team head coach Zlatko Dalic said his side will face one of the tournament’s strongest teams when they meet Saudi Arabia tomorrow in the final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup. The match will be played in front of Saudi fans at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference today, Dalic said the final would bring less pressure on the players and hoped everyone would enjoy the occasion. He noted that the Saudi team features strong players and an excellent technical staff, stressing that the UAE will aim to deliver their best performance in the final.

Technical preparations and match challenges

Dalic explained that set pieces are a crucial aspect of football, but the limited preparation time did not allow the UAE team to work on them sufficiently. He added that facing a team skilled at capitalizing on set pieces requires high defensive concentration and careful handling.

He expressed his gratitude for the support from UAE fans and affirmed his commitment to giving his all for the team. Dalic emphasized that his nine years of international coaching experience would positively impact the players’ performance. He added that winning the title would be the perfect start to his tenure with the UAE national team.

Players’ views and future ambitions

UAE player Khalid Eisa praised the warm welcome from the Saudi people and predicted a highly competitive final with a distinct Gulf flavor. He said the UAE team has developed a clear identity and diverse playing style under Dalic’s leadership, describing recent results as satisfactory despite the coach’s short time in charge, and expressing optimism for the team’s future.