The first football team began its training at the New York University stadium on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, in preparation for the anticipated match against the Iranian team at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, the day after tomorrow, Tuesday, in the second round of the decisive qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The training took place amid a positive atmosphere and high morale among the players, after the great victory achieved by the Whites, last Thursday, in Doha at the expense of its host, the Qatari team, by three goals to one in the first round of Group One, as the team conducted two training sessions after returning from Doha, yesterday and the day before yesterday.
The technical staff was keen for the players to resume training immediately after returning from Doha, because there was no time with the important match against Iran approaching, noting that the national team mission had returned to the country the day before yesterday, after the team topped its group in these qualifiers with three points, and on goal difference from the Iranian and Uzbek teams, while the Qatari, Kyrgyz and North Korean teams that play in the same first group remained without points. According to the program set by the technical staff of the team, the Whites will conclude their training today at the New York University stadium, before moving to Al Ain city tomorrow morning, and will hold their main training tomorrow evening, Monday, at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, which will host the Whites’ match against Iran.
The national team coach, Portuguese Paulo Bento, confirmed that he was calm during the match against Qatar, although the team suffered in the first half after conceding a goal, noting that the style and plan of play and the changes that occurred were behind the big win.
Paulo Bento expressed in media statements everyone’s happiness with this great victory achieved by the national team over its Qatari counterpart, pointing out that the credit for this victory goes to the players, as they understood what the national team needed, and also understood what they had to do, especially in the second half.
Pinto pointed out that the team responded well in the second half, and the players seemed more energetic, and the team controlled the game well, especially in terms of ball possession and offensive transitions.
He added: “The team appeared in the second half in a different way than it was in the first half, after pressing hard in certain areas of the field, as the team appeared more efficient and more cohesive in the playing lines.”
Pinto pointed out that the type of changes made in the second half helped the players during the match, describing the victory as “a wonderful and fair victory,” stressing the importance of enjoying this victory, as it came at the expense of the Qatari team, which he described as “one of the strongest candidates to qualify for the World Cup,” stressing that the team gained three important points away from home, and that this has not happened for a long time.
He added: “I am happy with this victory, but I am a bit worried because I do not know how the players will react, as we have to think about the next match against Iran.”
He pointed out that the inclusion of three professionals playing in European leagues, namely Junior Nday, Mackenzie Hunt and Adly Mohamed, in the national team roster was a decision and under the supervision of the Football Association, describing the matter as “part of the development process,” and that the most important thing for him is the adaptation of the new elements with the rest of the national team.
Meeting of the technical and administrative staff with the players
The national team’s administrative staff, led by former international player Yasser Salem, as well as the technical staff led by coach Paulo Bento, were keen to hold a meeting with the players and congratulate them on their strong and distinguished performance and the great victory over the Qatari team, the Asian champion, who played the match on their home ground and among their fans.
In turn, the national team defender Khalid Al Dhanhani, who scored the second goal against the Qatari team, said in media statements: “Despite the national team receiving a goal in the first half, the team entered the second half with greater focus, and we had an unnatural reaction in the second half.”
Al Dhanhani pointed out that the advice given to them by the experienced players in the national team, such as Khalid Eisa and Ali Khaseif, as well as the instructions of coach Pinto during the break between the two halves, led the team to achieve the great victory.
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