UAE manager Bert van Marwijk has warned his players not to underestimate Mauritania when they meet in the Fifa Arab Cup in Qatar on Friday night.
The two sides experienced very different starts to their Group B campaign on Tuesday, with the UAE defeating Syria 2-1 and Mauritania losing 5-1 to Tunisia.
However, Van Marwijk said Friday’s opponents at the 974 Stadium in Doha should not be taken lightly, as the UAE look to make it six points from six before facing Tunisia in their final group game on Monday. The top two sides progress to next week's quarter-finals.
“I think they saw our game and I saw their game,” Van Marwijk said on Thursday. “They are physically strong. They lost 5-1 but in the beginning of the game they got a few very big chances, so it could also be a different result. So we are being warned. And we have to be very concentrated.”
Tuesday’s victory against Syria will no doubt have helped raise spirits in the UAE camp. The win was achieved through first-half goals from Caio Canedo and Ali Saleh, however Syria did halve the deficit on the hour through Ward Al Salama to set up a nervy finish.
The UAE had to survive a couple of scares late on, with goalkeeper Ali Khaseif is particularly fine form. Meanwhile, at the other end, striker Ali Mabkhout continued to struggle.
The Al Jazira frontman, the UAE’s all-time leading scorer, should have made safe the result in the closing stages, but sent his effort well wide when through on goal.
“We are working to remedy some of the negatives that accompanied the players' performance in the first-round match against Syria,” said Van Marwijk, who has already set out his lofty target for the tournament. “We are keen to prepare the team as much as possible despite the short time, and we are working to get the victory.”
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UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates with teammate Ali Saleh, after opening the scoring against Syria. Both were on target in the 2-1 win in UAE's opening Group B match of the Fifa Arab Cup 2021 at the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium in Doha on November 30, 2021. AFP -
Syria midfielder Oliver Kawo dribbles past UAE forward Caio Canedo. AFP -
UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates. AFP -
Syria players react to their defeat to UAE. AFP -
UAE forward Caio Canedo runs with the ball. AFP -
UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal at the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium in Doha. AFP -
UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates. AFP -
UAE defender Mahmoud Khamis collides with Syria's Amro Jenyat. AFP -
UAE defender Mahmoud Khamis is carried off the pitch after an injury . AFP -
UAE forward Caio Canedo celebrates after scoring the first goal . AFP -
Syria defender Diaa Al Mohammad marks UAE midfielder Tahnoon Al Zaabi. AFP -
UAE defender Mohamad Al Attas vies for the ball with Syria's Mahmoud Al Baher. AFP -
UAE midfielder Bandar Al Ahbabi is marked by Syria's defender Youssef Mohammad. AFP -
UAE defender Mahmoud Khamis argues with Syria's players. AFP -
UAE supporters celebrate their win. AFP -
UAE coach Bert van Marwijk walks off the pitch following their win. AFP -
UAE forward Ali Mabkhout passes the ball. AFP -
Syria midfielder Ward Al Salama celebrates his goal with goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma. AFP -
Syria's midfielder Ward Al Salama celebrates after scoring. AFP -
Players pose for a group picture ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 Group B football match. AFP
