UAE skipper Khaseif leads a united front
He praises Zaccheroni, while vowing players are with embattled Italian
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UAE keeper-captain Ali Khaseif put on a show of solidarity after his side’s 3-0 win over Laos in Spain on Tuesday, saying they were ‘all in the same boat’, despite criticism of the coaches’ tactics.
Ali Mabkhout got two before the half hour, while Omar Abdul Rahman added a third with more than 20 minutes remaining to register the UAE’s first win in six matches. It was the first time they scored more than one goal in normal time since Alberto Zaccheroni took over last October, and it doubled their entire output of just three scored from the Italian’s other 11 games in charge.
The former Japan boss was rumoured to be headed for the chopping block after losing 2-0 to Trinidad and Tobago last Thursday in another friendly in Girona, with the UAE FA even issuing a vote of confidence.
Following a change in tactics from three at the back to four however, the UAE were able to give a better account of themselves on Tuesday, alleviating some of the strain on Zaccheroni.
“There is no team in the Arabian Gulf League playing three at the back,” said the Al Jazira shot stopper. “We tried to accommodate the plan but couldn’t apply it. We do not want to put the blame on the coach or the players as we are all in one boat.”
“Everyone saw how Zaccheroni changed the plan after the Trinidad game and everyone saw how that reflected in today’s game. It is not a shame that the trainer is changing things.
“I think it’s very brave and it is rare to find a coach who can give up his plan and change it,” added Khaseif, before denying the players were at odds with the Italian.
Hosts UAE face India, Bahrain and Thailand in Group A of the Asian Cup from January 5 to February 1.