Abu Dhabi: Head coach Alberto Zaccheroni believes the momentum his United Arab Emirates side has been gathering throughout the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will prove decisive on Tuesday as they look to beat Qatar and claim a place in the final. 



The host nation needed a late Ahmed Khalil penalty to secure a 1-1 draw in their opening game, before beating India and sharing the spoils with Thailand as they claimed pole position in Group A.

A narrow win over Kyrgyz Republic in the Round of 16 duly followed, while a far more dynamic performance against Australia ultimately ensured Zaccheroni’s charges a place in the last four.



Although acutely aware of the problems the UAE have faced thus far, the Italian tactician is adamant that his evolving team has what it takes to overcome the undoubted challenge Qatar will pose at Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.

“It is true to say that we had some difficulties in the first group stage games, as well as in the Round of 16,” Zaccheroni, who won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup title with Japan, declared.

“But we are evolving and our performance in the last game [against Australia] was very good. I am therefore confident that we will be able to beat Qatar with a good performance."

 


Semi-final - Qatar v UAE: Coaches thoughts

“Qatar are a strong and organised team, and one that has yet to concede a goal. They have done well, not just here, but also in 2018. We must be highly focused in order to reach the final.

“We are all aware of the importance of the game. Each game for us is very important and we are approaching the match with Qatar as if it was a final. We are fully aware of our responsibilities, responsibilities which we are all willing to share so that we can beat Qatar in the semi-finals.”

The Emiratis will be without injured duo Khalifa Mubarak and Mohamed Gharib for the crucial tie, absences that do not, however, overly concern Zaccheroni who is intent on realising the ambition he had when he first arrived to take charge of the UAE team.

“What is important is that I have 21 players available,” he said.

“I always looked to involve the players based on the importance of the game, and so far, both the UAE’s experienced and younger players have shown an excellent fighting spirit on the pitch."

“I want to achieve the goal that I set when I first came to the UAE, and that is to reach the final. That is also the aim of the players, the technical staff and everyone at the United Arab Emirates Football Association.

“The fans have supported us in all games, and we hope they will turn up in big numbers and we promise to make them happy with a win.”


Source: the-afc.com