IRAQ-UAE Gulf Cup final a boost for local coaches

MANAMA: Iraq will take on the United Arab Emirates in the final of the 21st Gulf Cup today after both sides, the only two of eight in the tournament to be coached by locals, advanced through the group stage undefeated.

The UAE netted eight and conceded two in their four-match run to the final, while Iraq, seeking a fourth Gulf Cup, were slightly more goal shy, scoring six but letting in just one.

The UAE under Mahdi Ali and Iraq under Hakeem Shaker have punched above their weight and cut down to size teams like defending champions Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, all of which had some famous international names as coaches.

Qatar, under Paulo Autuori of Brazil, and Oman, under Paul Le Guen of France, could only finish third and fourth respectively in Group A to make a premature exit while Dutchman Frank Rijkaard’s Saudi Arabia finished third in Group ‘B’.

Kuwait, with Serbian Goran Tufegdzic at the helm, did manage to make the semi-finals by the skin of their teeth but were beaten by a young and energetic UAE in the semi-finals.

Yemen, who finished last in Group B, are coached by Tom Saintfiet while Argentine Gabriel Calderon is at the helm in Bahrain.

Two of those coaches have already lost their jobs, in keeping with a predictable trend in the region where coaches are well rewarded but their long term job security is not guaranteed.

Autuori was sacked on Tuesday while the Saudis waited a day longer before showing the door to Rijkaard, ending a deal reportedly worth US$16mil signed in June 2011, with the aim of guiding the team to their fifth World Cup Finals.

No such fears stalk coaches Ali and Shakerwhohave respectively moulded young and fast improving teams brimming with confidence and full of hope.

Both sides impressed in the group stages, scoring comfortable victories and though both were tested in dramatic semi-finals, they fully deserved their places in the title showdown.— AFP