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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

UAE edge lion-hearted Oman

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Kuwait, dec 23 - Despite Oman being the better side throughout the whole game, Oman national team had no luck to earn at least one point against UAE in the first round of the Arabian Gulf Cup, which took place at Jaber International Stadium on Friday.


Pim Verbeek’s men made high pressure from the early minutes, searching for the lead but they missed the final touch. Verbeek’s better tactics continued until the 25 minutes when UAE earned a penalty which was converted by Ali Mabkhout in the 26th minute.


In the second half, the Red Warriors continued pressing for equaliser and they missed a room of chances especially by Mohsin Jawhar in the 66th minute. The video replays showed a clear penalty for Jamil al Yahmadi, but the Iraqi referee ignored it although he was in a suitable angle.


In the post-match conference, Verbeek was disappointed in the final result.


“We are disappointed by the result, but not by the way my team played especially in the second half,” Verbeek said


“We showed much respect in the first half because my players lack experience and to take the lead from Emirates to have serious chances after the penalty.’’


“We recovered in the second half, and created some chances through the attacking pressure but we were unlucky.


This loose will push us to work even harder to win the next two rounds to reach the semifinals,” the Dutchman added.


“We had a gap between Mohsin Jawhar and Khalid al Hajri, but I tried to fill this gap in the second half.”


Verbeek commented on the penalty that Khalid al Hajri caused and the penalty that the referee did not count for Oman.


“The strikers are not the best defenders. This what I can say from 35 years of experience. Mistakes may occur easily when such a big number of players are in the penalty box.


“The referee’s decision was harsh, but I cannot judge the validity of the penalty,’’ he added.


The UAE manager Alberto Zaccheroni admits that Oman was the better side in the game generally.


“Oman team showed a very professional style of play,” The Italian Zaccheroni said in the post-match conference.


“Oman team was better in the first quarter, and then the UAE team took over the pitch. The win over the Oman team is very important in the first round of the tournament, and we will prepare better for the upcoming games,’’ he added.


Jaber al Ajmi


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