UAE football's new era: Zlatko Dalic, Ismail Matar and Brazil-born stars chase Gulf Cup glory
With a new imported coach and a raft of potential debutants who learnt the game overseas, it might be assumed the latest fresh start for UAE football will be crafted by foreign expertise. And yet, when the national team begin the Zlatko Dalic era at the Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia this week, their most valuable insider could be someone from much closer to home. The UAE play Yemen in Jeddah…
The UAE football team enters a new era under coach Zlatko Dalic at the upcoming Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia. Dalic, who recently left his successful stint with Croatia, brings a team full of potential debutants who have honed their skills overseas. One key figure in Dalic's coaching staff is Ismail Matar, the former UAE football golden boy, who played a pivotal role in both of the UAE's previous Gulf Cup victories in 2007 and 2013.
Matar's experience and knowledge of the tournament will be invaluable for the current team. This is the first competitive match under Dalic's leadership, following an opening pool match against Yemen, which could serve as an important learning curve for the team. The UAE squad, while still predominantly made up of Emirati players, also boasts a more international feel with naturalized citizens like Adil, Essa, and Abdallah.
The addition of Brazilian-born stars Guilherme Bala and Yuri Cesar has generated significant excitement, given their impressive performances in recent seasons. Bala's dribbling skills and Cesar's ability to cover ground quickly and excel in set pieces are expected to be major assets for the team. Dalic himself has expressed his ambition for the national team to win everything, starting with their first goal of reaching the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup.
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