AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023: UAE's Coach Says He Will Confront Hong Kong Without Pressure to Achieve Victory

Doha, January 13 (QNA) - The head coach of the UAE team Paulo Bento affirmed that his team would compete in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 without pressures, adding that the team strive to achieve positive results and upgrade the levels of the squad,

    In a press conference ahead of the opening match between UAE and Hong Kong on Sunday within Group C competitions, Bento said the match will be very difficult since Hong Kong are among the good teams that are highly organized, in terms of defense.

    The Portuguese added that his team have perfectly studied the contender’s traits and monitored their latest friendly games to determine the weaknesses and strengths of Hong Kong in order to set the appropriate plan for the game, pointing out that since he took on the mantle of training UAE’s squad, he was determined to create young team for the future and give more chance for young footballers. He stressed that pushing young players to compete in a continental championship of such magnitude is not the suitable time.

    Bento said he trust all young players who possess stellar abilities and will count on ambitious players, adding that Sunday match is not crucial, but a vital game that must be won, specially that he has been strenuously working to prepare better players to avoid mistakes like those occurred in the friendly match, as UAE squad did not perform well to achieve the anticipated level.

    Regarding the confrontation with Iran’s team in the third round, Bento described the match as one of the most difficult ones within the group, since Iran’s squad are very strong, in terms of the physical activity.

    UAE's goalkeeper Khaled Issa noted the warm welcome the team received from Qatar, thanking the State of Qatar and all those who curate the championship for the good reception and hospitality, emphasizing that the players pledged to make utmost efforts to achieve positive results in the quest for pleasing the people of UAE in this major tournament.

    UAE's team respect all participating teams in this tournament, he underlined, affirming that qualification for this major continental event underscores the high levels all teams have attained, stressing that confronting Hong Kong will be decisive and vital, as his team must win this match, because the substantial number of fans in tomorrow's match will give confidence and impetus to achieve the intended victory. (QNA)