The team needs Mabkhout and Ali Saleh

Athletes stressed the importance of the Football Association and the technical and administrative staff of the first national team developing a road map to correct the path of “Al-Abyad” again, in the wake of the failure that accompanied its recent participation in “Gulf 26” in Kuwait, and its early exit from the first round without achieving any victory during the tournament. He played three matches in the tournament.

The athletes identified the most important points that could be included in the road map, which is to radically address the defect in the defensive system, in order to avoid repeating the mistakes that cost the team dearly by leaving the Gulf Cup early, in addition to supporting the team with some players, such as the return of striker Ali Mabkhout and Ali. Saleh, and included some elements that have emerged well in the recent period, such as Sharjah players Caio Lucas and Luan Pereira, in addition to working on preparing the players psychologically, and getting them out of a state of frustration as a result of what happened in tournament, and the criticism they faced, stressing the importance of preparing the team well for the most important achievement, which is the remaining matches in the third round of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The team was bid farewell to “Gulf 26” after drawing in two matches against Qatar and Oman with the same score 1-1, and losing to Kuwait 1-2, occupying last place in the first group standings with only two points, equally with Qatar, which was also bid out, while the Kuwaiti teams qualified from the group. And Oman.

The team awaits four important matches, which will determine its fate in the decisive qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, where it will play against Iran and North Korea next March, while it will face Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan next June.

The athletes told “Emirates Today”: “Including some players, such as the return of striker Ali Mabkhout and Ali Saleh, and defender Shaheen Abdul Rahman, in addition to the inclusion of Sharjah duo Caio Lucas and Luan Perrier, can contribute to solving the defensive and offensive problems that the national team suffered from in Kuwait. “It helps it strengthen its chances of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the second time in its history after 1990.”

Course correction

The head of the football company at Ittihad Kalba Club, Muhammad Obaid Al-Yamahi, said in response to a question about how to work to correct the team’s path again in the wake of what happened to it in the “Gulf 26” Cup, “There is an opportunity to prepare the team through the league,” adding, “ The UAE League is strong, not weak, and the quality of players in it has become at a high level, and there are good players with whom the team can be strengthened.”

Al Yamahi added, “We do not know what is happening in the national team. Is it the coach’s choices or what?” But for me, I see the importance of strengthening the team with only some of the elements it needs.”

Regarding the players he nominates to join the national team in the coming period, Al-Yamahi, who previously served as a member of the Football Association’s Board of Directors, said: “I demand the return of striker Ali Mabkhout to the national team, in addition to the return of Ali Saleh and defender Shaheen Abdul Rahman, whom the national team needs in line.” Defense, and that the presence of such players can solve all the team’s problems.”

Regarding how to address the mistakes revealed by the team’s participation in the Gulf Cup, Al-Yamahi stressed that there are many questions about what is happening in the team that need answers.

The return of Ali Saleh

The former national team and Al-Wasl player, Farouk Abdul Rahman, stressed the importance of correcting the path of the player, and addressing the mistakes that accompanied participation in “Gulf 26”, especially in terms of defensive errors, which he described as primitive individual errors, warning against the continuation of such errors without treatment by a coach. The national team, Paulo Bento, pointed out the importance of having a clear defensive system in the national team.

Farouk Abdul Rahman pointed out that everyone is calling for Ali Mabkhout to return to the national team again, but for him he sees the importance of the return of the player Ali Saleh, and he said: “If

Ali Saleh is there to enable the team to advance to the semi-finals in the Gulf Cup, because he has his influence,” wondering why he was excluded from the team in the recent period.

Abdul Rahman added: “The return of Ali Saleh, and the inclusion of Sharjah players Caio Lucas and Luan Pereira, represents a great addition to the team in the next stage,” noting the importance of the role of the team coach in the psychological preparation process for the players.

Diaa: Lack of a scorer

Former international player and technical analyst Ahmed Diaa believes that, from a technical standpoint, the team is considered one of the best teams technically, but its main problem in “Gulf 26” is not taking advantage of opportunities, due to the lack of a scorer, stressing that this problem can be solved by including some distinguished elements and players. Who are entitled to represent the national team, such as Sharjah players Caio Lucas and Luan Pereira.

Diaa added: “The next and most important task is the remaining matches in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, so the national team needs to strengthen its ranks with some players.”

When asked about how the players could be prepared psychologically to get them out of a state of frustration, Ahmed Diaa confirmed that this matter depends on the extent of cooperation between the national team, the Football Association and the clubs. He said: “Resuming the league again will make the players focus with their clubs, and gradually they will emerge from the atmosphere.” Championship, and they will focus on the next competition, and turning the page on the Gulf Cup in Kuwait.”