Ali Ibrahim has urged his Emirati fans not to compare his age-group team with that of Mahdi Ali’s “golden generation” as they embark on their Under 23 Gulf Cup campaign in Manama, Bahrain on Friday.
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Mahdi Ali’s players won the tournament in their first appearance in 2010 after missing the inaugural competition in 2008.
The UAE finished runner-up and third in the next two championships.
“A team like what we have seen under coach Mahdi Ali can emerge only once in 10 years or once in 20 years, so we shouldn’t compare them with the current crop of players,” Ibrahim said.
“Nevertheless we will try to match their achievements as best as we can. My task is not only to be successful as a team but groom as many youngsters as possible for the senior national team.”
Ibrahim’s men play Kuwait in the Group A opener and Qatar on Tuesday. Bahrain, the hosts, are drawn alongside Saudi Arabia and Oman.
“We have prepared and I am quite satisfied with the progress we have made during the past one year,” Ibrahim said. “Our last camp was in Dammam and I believe the players reached a good level during this period. Now we need to go out there and execute our strategies.”
Salem Rashid, the Al Jazira defender, is confident.
“Our objective is to win the cup,” he said. “We had a great camp in Dammam. We will give everything we have and what we have been doing in the past months.
“The result of the opening game is crucial in a three-team group. A win in the first game is most likely to be the key for a passage beyond the group stage.
“Kuwait will have the same idea but we are going in to this game with a lot of confidence and win the three points.”
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