Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
The UAE fooball team will be hoping to make the most of its home comfort against North Korea before travelling to Uzbekistan while ensuring to make most of Matchdays 3 and 4 on the Asian qualifying road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the weather is still hot, the 8pm kickoff at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday could work in favour of Paulo Bento's side against a team left home in tropical night-time temperatures almost a third of that in Al Ain when set off for the long trip across the Asian continent.
Both teams need a win, with UAE on three points while DPR Korea only have one following the opening two matches in Group A, currently led by Uzbekistan.
A strike late into time added on at the end of the first half saw UAE fall to a 1-0 defeat against Islamic Republic of Iran. The UAE play Uzbekistan next on October 15. Uzbekistan are hosting Iran in their third matchday with nothing much to differentiate – both teams are on six points – and so the UAE will do better to focus on their game.
The late lapse in concentration against Iran earlier undid the excellent result Bento's side achieved against Qatar but the Portuguese felt that his team were unfortunate to not take something from the Iran tie.
Bento, aiming to qualify for the FIFA World Cup with a third different side after having guided Portugal and Korea Republic at the global showpiece previously, will remind his players they cannot afford to drop points against the Korea rivals, who are in a more must-win situation and hence dangerous.
لقطات من المؤتمر الصحفي للمدرب باولو بينتو واللاعب طحنون الزعابي 📹#منصور_يا_منتخبنا #منتخب_الإمارات pic.twitter.com/nUxp91YgTc
— UAE NT منتخب الإمارات (@UAEFNT) October 9, 2024
They lost 1-0 to Uzbekistan before holding Qatar 2-2. After UAE, they face Kyrgyzstan, who are bottom of the scrap in the six-team group. Having studied the opposition, Bento has warned the Whites about their rivals' strong physicality and speed on the field. He should know, having coached South Korea across the border.
Bento used the couple of days of training after assembling on Monday at the New York University campus in Abu Dhabi. In his sessions, Bento has shared with the team his observations that the North Koreans tend to defend high and rely on counter-attacks.
According to him, the visitors are strong in fitness and can be dangerous transferring the ball, especially in the closing stages of the game. Bento has exhorted the players to adhere to technical instructions and play with a high fighting spirit while focusing on ball control in the midfield.
Khalid Eisa in expected to remain in the goal, with Khalifa Al Hammadi, Kwame, Khaled Al Dhanhani, and Abdullah Idris in the defence. In the midfield, Yahya Nader is expected to return to the side after missing out against Iran, in addition to Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Yahya Al Ghassani, Abdullah Hamad, and Marcos Meloni, who may play for the first time.
Caio Canedo could play as the only "striker" for the team, though Bruno Oliveira is expected to play a role in the second half of the match. Dubai-raised Mackenzie Hunt, who plays for Fleet Town in England, could also get a nod after waiting in the wings for the first two matchdays.
Having played the previous World Cup as hosts, Qatar are hurting and will be out to make the most of their clash with Kyrgyz Republic in Doha if they are to keep the top two within touching distance. However, the Central Asian side will not be easy walkovers, having held their own despite defeats to Iran (1-0) and Uzbekistan (3-2).
