- Home
- Middle East
- UAE
- ‘I’m optimistic, this exceptional team we can make it to World Cup 2022’: UAE head coach
‘I’m Optimistic, This Exceptional Team We Can Make It To World Cup 2022’: UAE Head Coach
Umer Jamshaid Published September 27, 2020 | 12:00 PM
DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 27th Sep, 2020) The UAE national football team’s new head coach Jorge Luis Pinto is here for a mission; to help the country qualify for both the World Cup 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
In an exclusive interview with the Emirates news Agency, WAM, Pinto said, "I love challenges and I believe that everything is possible and that you can reach your goals if you persevere and focus."
The Colombian coach, who was appointed by the UAE in July, added that after holding 24 training sessions and a friendly match in Serbia he became familiar with the players’ capabilities and is now able to carve out a future plans for the team.
"I am very optimistic and I am happy with the unlimited support provided to the team by the UAE Football Association and the fans. Of course there are lots of challenges, but I love challenges," he emphasised.
Asked about next steps, he said the team is preparing for two friendlies with Kuwait and Uzbekistan in October.
The Whites camped in Serbia in the run-up to the resumption of their World Cup 2022 qualifying games, with four matches remaining, three of which will be played at home.
The UAE, currently fourth in Group G, are at a crucial juncture in the qualifiers, which also acts as a qualification for the AFC Asian Cup to be held in China in 2023.
Twelve teams which advance to the third round of the World Cup qualification will automatically qualify to the Asian Cup.
Pinto spoke highly of his players, saying that he has a team made of skillful elements.
"We are working on some quick wins like rhythm, speed, team play and tactical elements," he said.
"Regardless of the current position in the group, we can make the dream come true. We have exceptional and determined players, and we have all the support we need by the UAE Football Association and more importantly, by a base of very loyal fans."
After playing the return leg against Malaysia at home on 8th October, the UAE will travel to face Indonesia on 13th October.
The UAE have two wins and two defeats in four matches. They had begun their campaign with a 2-1 victory away against Malaysia and followed that up by defeating Indonesia 5-0 at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
But they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Thailand and a 1-0 loss to Vietnam.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
More Stories From Middle East
-
UAE announces ‘Zero Bureaucracy Program’ to reduce bureaucracy
3 months ago -
COP28 President-Designate welcomes Transitional Committee agreement to operationalise Loss and Damag ..
6 months ago -
Global Media Congress 2023 to feature Co-Production Majlis as a new networking platform
6 months ago -
Young female athletes shine at Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship
6 months ago -
King of Jordan receives Abdullah bin Zayed and ministers participating in Arab coordination meeting
6 months ago -
Abdullah bin Zayed participates in coordination meeting of Arab foreign ministers, joint meeting wit ..
6 months ago
-
3rd annual conference of Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology kicks off in Dubai
6 months ago -
SIBF 2023 hosts Nobel laureate to discuss emergence of ‘Afrofuturism’ in global discourse
6 months ago -
ALC announces winners of Kanz Al Jeel Award 2023
6 months ago -
SIBF turns spotlight on remarkable contributions of women
6 months ago -
Global assets in spot bitcoin ETFs hit $4.16 billion
6 months ago -
Rescuers struggle to find Nepal quake survivors as deaths reach 157
6 months ago