The event
The eight-team tournament, won by Brazil last year (pictured), runs until Saturday. It is split into two groups with the top two from each progressing to the semi-finals, while the rest compete in the runners-up competition. The UAE are in Group A with Russia, Argentina and Egypt, while Group B is made up of Portugal, Tahiti, Mexico and Iran.
Optimistic
Gustavo Zloccowick, the UAE’s Brazilian coach, said advancing from group was the first aim. “For me as a coach, I am optimistic whenever I enter the competition ... I expect the best possible outcome and this year is not any different with UAE,” he said. “We are working very hard and the players understand our tactical systems more and more each day. Our first target to qualify for the semis and then who knows?”
Pressure off
Zloccowick said the focus for the UAE was to win their games against Egypt tomorrow and Argentina on Wednesday, so they are already guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals when they take on Russia, who have won the event twice, in 2011 and 2012, and been runners-up the past two years, in their final group game. “We hope to come to the match against Russia already qualified to the semi-final, just to decide first and second in the group,” he said.
Preparation
The UAE played friendlies against Portugal and Tahiti to aid their build-up to the competition, and Zloccowick said he wants his side to start strongly against Egypt. “It’s really important to focus on the first match against Egypt,” he said. “It’s very important for us to get confidence for the next match, and then to qualify to the semi-finals.”
Home support
Third-place finishes in 2012 and 2013 are the UAE’s best results at the competition, and Zloccowick hopes plenty of local backing will spur his side on to better that. “It gives confidence to the players every time they see more UAE fans supporting us, this improves our job,” he said.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE
