UAE to maintain attacking approach

Al Ain: Alberto Zaccheroni has stressed he will not alter his team’s style of play when the AFC Asian Cup hosts the United Arab Emirates take on defending champions Australia in their quarterfinal match-up in Al Ain on Friday

The Italian admitted to having concerns over his side’s defensive performance, with the UAE having conceded four times in four games so far at the tournament, but he is refusing to consider adopting similar tactics deployed by Jordan and Uzbekistan in their respective meetings with the Socceroos.

Jordan defeated the Australians 1-0 in the teams’ opening game of the group phase while Uzbekistan frustrated Graham Arnold’s side throughout 120 minutes of their goalless draw in the Round of 16, which Australia eventually won via a penalty shootout.

“It’s well known that I’m a coach who does not like to concede any goals and at the last Gulf Cup we didn’t concede any goals,” said Zaccheroni. “It raises some concerns for me, but I’m sure we have good players and we have the initiative to score.

“We have more than just one striker in our front line and when we are in position we always try to score. We have played against teams who have defended with 10 players and have hit us on the counter-attack.

“Any team that plays against Australia knows they’re a candidate to win the Asian Cup. Each coach chooses his tactics and style of play based on the capabilities of his players and how he wants to deal with the match.

“As for the UAE, we have a different style and way of thinking and we show the initiative to attack. Jordan and Uzbekistan were somehow conservative and played defensively. They were using counter-attacks to respond to the Australia team, but we have our own way of playing.”

Round of 16: UAE vs Kyrgyz Republic

Zaccheroni will be forced to make at least two changes to his team with defender Khalifa Mubarak ruled out after breaking his leg in the extra-time win over Kyrgyz Republic in the Round of 16 while Khamis Esmaeel is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign against the Central Asian nation.

The former Japan and AC Milan coach, however, is hoping his team can rise to the occasion with the backing of the home fans at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

“The factor of playing on our field and in front of our fans will be a great motivator for us,” he said. “It’s true as an Italian I’m not an Emirati, but I feel a great responsibility on my shoulders and I have the same responsibility as the players and we’re all hoping we can snatch the place in the next round.

“We hope to see massive numbers of fans at the coming match and to qualify for the semifinal stage so we can make all the fans and the people happy.

“All the indicators are to our advantage. The fans, the determination of the players and the aspirations of the players to qualify for the semifinals.

This also creates pressure on the players and I’m sure they’re aware of this fact and they will play with high spirits and will fight to win the match.”