DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING FOOTBALL CONTEST TODAY
Excitement will hit fever pitch when the UAE and Oman clash in the final of the Gulf Cup in Kuwait City. Plans for the big game are in place for the UAE, and history is on their side. The last time they met in the final 10 years ago, the Emirates triumphed. A win against the Omanis in their first match would give them loads of confidence going into the final. We’ll be rooting for them, so will you.
The UAE and Oman are peace loving countries with brotherly ties binding them. However, the bromance will be set aside as the two countries clash for the ultimate regional glory of the Arabian Gulf Cup crown at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Friday night.
It will be test of tactics, skills and nerves as the UAE take field in search of their third title while Oman look for a second one.
The match will be a history lesson as anticipations and desires are identical in nature. Folklores will be born on the night in Kuwait which will be voiced across the region. The goal scorer or the saver will have his name etched forever in the minds of the fans.
Imagine talisman Omar Abdulrahman curling a last-minute free-kick winner or tireless Mohamed Al Menhali dribbling past defenders to net a stunner in extra-time. Strikers Ali Mabkhout can come up with a magic moment or for that matter Ahmed Khalil, with Al Ain move looming large, can get into news for right things. Such platforms are also an opportunity for a new star to rise.
The match will be tough test paper for the defenders. A slip by Mohamed Ahmed or Mohanad Salem resulting in a goal will be painful mistake to forget for rest of their lives.
Pressure on Emirati stars can’t be understood or felt at this moment. The players and fans took a while to recover from the disappointment of missing out on the bus to 2018 Russia World Cup.
The ‘Whites’ truly know the weight of expectation is tremendous this time. And fans will be out there in numbers to steer their team to the title. Thousands of optimists have flown to Kuwait from Thursday and Friday to breathe confidence into the players.
However, the players are young and they need an able guide in this mission. And apart from the on-field performances, the victory could very well be scripted in boardroom by Alberto Zaccheroni. The head coach’s tactics so far have shown that his football may not be attractive but is surely effective. He is an Italian and knowns his way around to titles. Zaccheroni will put his past experience of Italian club football and Japanese national team to test on the night.
However, Oman too have a similar brain in their ranks. Dutchman Peter Verbeek has coached South Korea and Australia in the FIFA World Cups and importantly was the UAE assistant coach in 2005. Oman surely got an ace up their sleeves. At the end it may all come down to the last line of defence – the keepers. The UAE got an able hand in Khalid Eisa to shoulder the biggest responsibility on the pitch. His counterpart Faiz Al Rushaidi has also had a noteworthy outing so far.
On form count, in the semifinals, Oman beat Bahrain on an own-goal and the UAE won penalty shootout against Iraq. The UAE had beaten Oman in the opening match of Group A through an Ali Mabkhout penalty. The UAE surely got a psychological advantage with that 1-0 result.
However, past records don’t matter on a day when history books are going to be rewritten. The UAE got talent and just need to implement plans efficiently to grab a third crown.