KUWAIT CITY: The UAE manager Alberto Zaccheroni did not attend the press conference due to media issues. But according to Emirates media outlets that Oman Daily Observer asked, the Italian manager is not in pressure for the Gulf Cup title, instead; this tournament will be a chance for him to discover new players for the AFC Cup 2019 that the Emirates will host. It is the first gathering for Zaccheroni since he was appointed as the head coach of the UAE national team.
However, UAE are considered one of the favourites to win the cup as they come to Kuwait with all of their good players such as Omar Abdulrahman, Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed Khalil.
Zaccheroni did not call the goalkeeper Ali Khusaif and the veteran striker Ismael Mater for the competition.
Expected UAE line-up:
Goalkeeper: Khalid Issa
Defenders: Mohamed Barghash, Mohannad al Anzi, Ismaeal Ahmed and Mohammed Fawzi
Midfielders: Rayan Yaslam, Ali Salmeen, Khamis Ismaeal, and Omar Abdulrahman
Forwards: Ali Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed al Ghatas
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