BRISBANE // Yousef Al Serkal, the president of the Football Association, says he hopes the country’s success at the Asian Cup will be a springboard for Emirati players to play overseas in the future.
The UAE have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition ahead of today’s final Group C game with Iran, and Al Serkal wants members of the squad to have the chance to test themselves away from the country in the future.
“We implemented professionalism in UAE football eight years ago, and everyone knows that the contract is between the player and his club,” he said.
“The association has no say in that and cannot interfere in regarding players moving foreign clubs. Despite that, my wish is to see a group of players from this generation play in Europe, not just in this region or even Asia.”
Al Serkal added that he was delighted with how the side had performed under coach Mahdi Ali in Australia so far, and he was optimistic they could go far in the tournament.
“The way the coach has negotiated these matches shows that Mahdi Ali is as a manager with a unique technical vision and someone capable of getting the best out of the players,” he said.
“This gives me confidence that the players and the staff have reached a stage where they are capable of handling matches of this highest standard, and there is no reason why we cannot continue this way.”
The UAE have already made history at the tournament, with Ali Mabkhout’s goal after 14 seconds against Bahrain on Thursday recognised as the fastest goal in Asian Cup history, something that Al Serkal said was a source of great pride.
“We are delighted. It’s enough that Fathi Kameel of Kuwait was the record holder for over 30 years,” he said.
“Now Ali Mabkhout’s name will be immortalised, and with it will be the name of the Emirates.”
akhaled@thenational.ae
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