Ali Ibrahim, the UAE coach, is confident of his side’s chances of victory over Vietnam in Friday’s last-16 fixture at the Asian Games.
The UAE, who were silver medallists in China four years ago, have had mixed fortunes in the competition so far.
They emphatically defeated India 5-0 in their opening Group G game, but lost 1-0 to Jordan in their second game, a match in which Waleed Al Mazrouei was dismissed in the first half for two bookable offences. The UAE nonetheless advanced from the group, but as runners-up behind the Jordanians.
Vietnam, on the other hand, have been impressive, winning both games, including a 4-1 triumph over Iran, winners of four gold medals, to top Group H.
Ibrahim acknowledged that the Vietnamese have looked good so far, but he is optimistic that his side can conquer them.
“Indeed, they have been impressive, but I believe my team is equally strong and has the quality to win against them,” he said.
“It is straightforward from now. If we win, which we intend to do, we remain in the competition. We had a good break and have prepared well during this period, knowing who we are meeting.”
Ibrahim has one injury worry in Salim Ali, the Al Jazira midfielder, while Al Mazrouei is suspended following his red card.
Ali has not recovered fully from a leg injury he picked up in the Jordan game and will have to pass a fitness test before the match.
“I would like to have a full squad as we head in to the knockout round of the competition, but their absences don’t make this team any weaker,” Ibrahim said.
Now that the tournament is in the knockout stages, he is expecting the overage players in his under-23 squad, captain Saeed Al Kathiri, Bandar Al Ahbabi and Sultan Bargash, to step up.
“I would expect a lot from my three experienced players in the squad,” he said. “A lot will depend on their contributions.
“These three have so far done the bulk of the work and I would like to see them carry on for the remainder of the competition.”
Al Kathiri, a member of the silver medal-winning team in China who scored a hat-trick in the win over India, shared the same sentiment.
“The senior players have to shoulder the responsibility, but it is equally important for everyone,” the Al Nasr forward said.
“It is really important for us to play as a team. I have a lot of faith on my teammates.”
The winner of Friday’s game will face the winner of Friday’s match between North Korea and Indonesia in the quarter-finals on Sunday.
In Friday’s other matches, Saudi Arabia take on Uzbekistan, while Iraq play Tajikistan.
Quarter-finals take shape
Hosts South Korea set up a quarter-final match with Japan on Saturday at the Asian Games football tournament after beating Hong Kong 3-0 on Thursday.
Second-half goals from Lee Yong-jae, Park Joo-ho and Kim Jin-su saw them prevail, and it was a similar story of comfortable progress in the last 16 for the Japanese, who beat Palestine 4-0, with Wataru Endo, Musashi Suzuki, Takuma Arano and Riki Harakawa all on target.
Jordan’s game with Kyrgyzstan was goalless after 90 minutes, but extra time goals from Ahmed Al Essawi and Mahmoud Al Mardi guided them to a 2-0 victory.
They will meet Thailand, who beat China 2-0 in the last eight, thanks to two goals from Adisak Kraisorn.
apassela@thenational.ae
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