ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The UAE may appear as favourites on paper in their second group match of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Tuesday even though it is against hosts Kuwait, but the national manager Paulo Bento has typically tried to play down expectations.
Following a strong campaign in the Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup just past the midway point in the third stage, including convincing home-and-away victories against Qatar, the UAE are even title favourites.
Yet, Tuesday's match at the Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium comes with both teams starting off with a draw and keen to get three points in their kitty at the 26th Zain Khaleeji Cup. "It's a difficult match," said Bento, whose team had to depend on Yahya Al Ghassani's equaliser to share honours with the same Qatari rivals. Kuwait were held by Oman.
"So, we try to do the best we can to plan our strategies and allow the players to recover as we have a tight schedule that gives us just 72 hours to prepare for the next game."
The Whites did very light training on Sunday before doing a full session on Monday at the Yarmouk Stadium while the technical and assistant staff ran a check on the fitness of all players.
After taking on the hosts, the UAE will take on Oman on Friday, again in a span of three days following the tough opener. "It's not ideal but that's what it is," Bento added. "We don't have control over the scheduling and the rules of the competition. We have to prepare as best we can and get on with the matches.
"We have worked more or less almost for one year in and out and we already have a good understanding as a team and, of course, we will try to take advantage of that."
The semi-finals will be held on December 30 followed by the final on January 3.