The national team needs to re-evaluate the players’ performance before the Iraq match

Athletes stressed that the national team’s loss of the opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is not the end, and that chances still exist despite the difficulty of the task, pointing out that the national team’s technical staff needs to re-evaluate the players’ performance before the next two matches against Iraq on November 13 and 18. They stressed the need to continue supporting the national team, pointing out that coach Kuzmin can analyze the technical performance and improve it so that the “Whites” continue their chances towards the World Cup.

The athletes reduced their blaming of goalkeeper Khaled Issa, and told Al-Emarat Al-Youm, “The responsibility is borne by most of the team’s players, especially in the defense line,” recalling the outstanding level that Khaled Issa presented in a large number of matches, especially in the confrontation with the Oman national team.

This is not the time to criticize

For his part, the former national team player (the Golden Generation) and the former coach of Al-Nasr and Al-Wasl clubs, Salem Rabie, confirmed that “(Al-Abyad) is still in the competition circle, and that the opportunity still exists, despite its gradually increasing difficulty, but it remains possible.”

Salem Rabie said: “The current time is not to blame or criticize the team and its individuals, but rather to bring together ranks and provide more support to take advantage of the opportunity, even if it is difficult, as long as it still exists, and we are waiting for the next two matches against Iraq.”

He added: “There are positives and negatives in every work, and at the present time we must focus on investing in the opportunity, whatever it may be, and the most important thing is to correct mistakes and continue with the mission. We have neglected the easiest opportunity, and it has now become more difficult, but the opportunity still exists, so we must unite to cross the most difficult stage.”

Regarding goalkeeper Khaled Issa, Rabie confirmed that he does not favor holding him responsible for the loss, pointing out that the entire group bears responsibility for the two goals in particular, due to poor defensive coverage and poor monitoring of the attackers, stressing the importance of reviewing the method of dealing with set pieces.

The opportunity is there

Coach Eid Barot expressed his hope that “Al-Abyad” would be able to take advantage of the coming opportunity despite its difficulty, stressing that chances still exist, and that it is necessary to continue supporting the national team in all aspects.

Barot said: “It is said in sports circles that coach Elario Cosmin is successful with clubs only and not with national teams, and I do not agree with that, as the distinguished coach succeeds wherever he works. Cosmin is one of the best coaches to work in Emirati football, and his fingerprints are clear with the national team, and will be clearer in the near future.”

He added: “We remember the Croatian coach Zlatko, who had never coached national teams, yet he reached the World Cup final with Croatia in his first mission. Coaching depends on experience and competence.”

Barot stressed that “Goalkeeper Khaled Issa does not bear responsibility alone, but rather the entire system.”

He pointed out that he had hoped for Sultan Adel to start from the beginning because of his high scoring potential, considering that he would have been able to score if he had been given more playing minutes.

He added: “There are other players who deserved to play, and others who got the opportunity and are not the best, so it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to improve the team’s conditions.”

He concluded by saying: “The upcoming confrontation with Iraq in the Asian playoff is an opportunity to achieve advantage and continue the competition for qualification, and the technical conditions of the Emirati (Al-Abyad) team are better than its Iraqi brother.”

In turn, the junior team goalkeeper coach, Yousef Al Zaabi, confirmed that “the team will return stronger before facing Iraq on November 13 and 18, especially with equal opportunities between the two teams in terms of the field and the audience, which is an important factor that (Al-Abyad) missed in the recent playoff qualifiers.”

Al Zaabi said: “There is great confidence in all members of the team in regaining the opportunity despite its difficulty, and what is important now is to support (Al-Abyad) and not criticize him, especially goalkeeper Khaled Issa. As a goalkeeper coach, I cannot hold him responsible for the loss to Qatar, because the goalkeeper is the one who is most exposed to psychological pressure, and is asked to make a decision in a few seconds. We have great confidence that he will be in the best preparation during the next two matches.”

He added: “The public has the right to be sad about not qualifying, especially since the team was playing for two chances. The most important thing now is to continue supporting the team so that it continues to compete, and the continuation of the ‘Dream of a Homeland’ campaign will contribute to enhancing chances even more.”

We gave up the easiest opportunity, and now it has become more difficult, but the chances are still there.

“White” striker Sultan Adel is capable of scoring if he gets more playing minutes.

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