Former UAE coach: Kosmin has the potential to defeat Uzbekistan

Former UAE national team head coach Dr. Abdullah Misfer has stressed that the team has all the necessary opportunities and resources to defeat the Uzbek opponent in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He expressed this opinion in an interview with Emirates Today.

High confidence in Cosmin, the team has strength

According to Misfer, the current head coach Cosmin Olariu knows the internal environment of the national team and the potential of the players well, which gives him an edge over other coaches. “He deeply understands the players not only on the field, but also mentally,” says Misfer.

Defensive mistakes should not be forgotten

At the same time, he also recalled the reasons for the defeat in the first match (0:1) in Tashkent. According to him, the shortcomings in the defensive line should be analyzed and eliminated this time.

“We have no right to miss the opportunity now”

“The UAE no longer has the right to make any mistakes in the fight for a place in the World Cup. The team must work only for victory: defeats against Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are a must. Also, one can hope for a victory for the Kazakhs in the match between Qatar and Uzbekistan,” Misfer said.

Competition in the team has intensified

According to the former coach, the players called up by Kosmin are in good physical shape and the competition for the starting lineup has intensified. This internal competition can have a positive effect on the quality of the game. Maintaining a balance between attack and defense will be one of the key factors for success.

The conclusion that can be drawn from Abdullah Misfer’s statement is that the head coach and players of the UAE national team currently have sufficient resources, training and confidence. The upcoming match is only a matter of tactical balance, psychological stability and loyalty on the field.

It is worth noting that the UAE-Uzbekistan match will start on June 5 at 21:00 Tashkent time. This match will be a decisive stage for both teams on the way to the World Cup.