UAE MUST ‘WORK HARD FOR ASIAN CUP’ AFTER SHOOT-OUT HEARTACHE

Salem wants teammates to use Gulf Cup final defeat to Oman to motivate themselves to improve over the next 12 months, writes

UAE defender Mohanad Salem said the players must use their Gulf Cup of Nations heartache as motivation for next year’s Asian Cup.

The national team were on Friday denied a third regional title in agonising fashion when they lost the final to Oman on penalties after the match at Kuwait City’s Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium had finished goalless.

The UAE eventually succumbed 5-4 in the shootout, with Omar Abdulrahman missing the decisive penalty.

It was the Al Ain playmaker’s second failure from the spot on the night, with Oman goalkeeper Faiz Al Rushaidi saving his initial effort in the final minute of normal time.

It was a cruel way for the UAE, Gulf champions in 2007 and 2013, to lose the showpiece clash, although Oman had done enough to warrant the victory over the 120 minutes of action.

Both sides were cheered on in Kuwait by a vociferous support, with Salem paying tribute to the many who had travelled from the Emirates for the match.

“We are sorry for our fans they came here to support us, but unfortunately we couldn’t win,” the Al Ain centre-back said. “We tried to take the cup, we did our best.”

Salem believed that the UAE had been unfortunate not to come home with the trophy, but was quick to pay tribute to Oman, who were winning the title for only the second time, and their first one overseas after they had triumphed in 2009 when they were hosts.

“We were unlucky in this game,” Salem added. “We had a good opportunity to finish the match at the end of normal time, in the 89th minute, but unfortunately we didn’t score.

“We have to congratulate the Oman national team for this tournament.”

Salem was a key member of an unwavering UAE defence throughout the team’s bid for the trophy.

Playing their first competitive matches with manager Alberto Zaccheroni in charge since he took over, the UAE did not concede a solitary goal in the five games they played in the tournament.

However, they scored only once in five games, that coming off of Ali Mabkhout’s penalty in their opening group match against Oman on December 22.

“We did our best as defenders,” Salem said. “We tried everything we could in this tournament not to concede goals and we didn’t concede one. In the penalties we were unlucky.”

The UAE will now turn attention to the Asian Cup in 12 months’ time which they are hosting.

The continent’s premier competition, takes place in the Emirates for the second time, and first since 1996, with the Football Association targeting a run to the final at least.

Zaccheroni was appointed in October – he replaced Argentine Edgardo Bauza and given a contract through until the conclusion of the tournament.

The UAE’s best finish was runner-up, on home soil 22 years ago. Last time out, they took the bronze medal in Australia.

“We have to now work hard for the Asian Cup,” Salem said. “We have to continue working with the coach and come back stronger.”

We are sorry for our fans ... We tried to take the cup, we did our best. We were unlucky in this game MOHANAD SALEM UAE defender