UAE team manager Ismail Rashid has quashed talk that coach Srecko Katanec has lost the dressing room and could be out of a job if the Whites fail to beat Kuwait in their World Cup third qualifying round match on Friday.
Speculation has heightened that Katanec, who recently signed a one-year extension to his contract, is headed for the exit after falling out with many of his senior players because of his heavy-handed approach to the job.
However, Rashid said the facts run contrary to what has been reported in the local press. “There is no problem whatsoever between Katanec and the players,” said the former UAE international. “Everybody is happy – the coach with his players and the players with the coach, so there are no problems at all.
“The result against Kuwait is not only important for Katanec and the players, but for the entire UAE as we want to qualify for the next World Cup in Brazil, and a winning start is what you want in football.”
Rashid said the Whites are in good shape and could start as the favourites at the Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium in Al Ain, thanks to the 3-1 beating of Qatar in their final friendly last week.
“Everybody is ready and the start is very important, I will say it again! The players and coach are concerned about football and how we will play,” Rashid added.
“When you play international football you don’t play for your coach or yourself, you play for your country. We did well against Qatar and it was a good combination, everybody on the field did their job well.”
Meanwhile, UAE winger Mohammed Al Shehi, 23, echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Our 3-1 warm up victory over Qatar ahead of the Kuwait challenge is the best indication that the Whites are on the right track.
“The victory was very crucial for our campaign and the players are well motivated to do even better and continue their winning streak against Gulf rivals Kuwait.
“Our friendly against Qatar reflected the harmony of the squad and the tactical awareness of the players who were able to accommodate the plans and strategies of the coach.”
Skipper Subait Khater and first choice goalkeeper Majed Naser are expected to return to the squad after their lengthy injury lay-offs, and Shehi said the presence of the senior players will help lift the hosts in Al Ain.
“Some of our key players have returned to form after injury, including Khater and keeper Naser,” said Shehi.
“Another important element was keeping the defensive mistakes to the minimum (against Qatar). We have suffered a lot from such mistakes in the past, especially during the recent AFC Asian Cup finals in Doha.”
