UAE 'ready for the moment' as they face Saudi Arabia in Arabian Gulf Cup final

Zlatko Dalic, the new coach of the UAE national football team, has encouraged his players to relish the opportunity when they take on hosts Saudi Arabia in the Arabian Gulf Cup final. This marks Dalic's inaugural assignment as their head coach. The UAE has advanced impressively, winning nine matches and losing only one in their four games leading up to the final.

However, they find themselves facing a more formidable competitor in Saudi Arabia, who are currently the highest-ranked team in the eight-team tournament. Historically, the UAE has triumphed over Saudi Arabia in just seven out of 50 encounters. The final will take place at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, which can accommodate 62,000 spectators.

A significant portion of UAE fans will be in attendance, bolstering the home team's morale. Dalic remains optimistic, emphasizing that the final will be the "easiest" game for his team to prepare for, as they are fully aware of the significance of the occasion. The UAE has secured the title of the biennial competition a mere two times previously, in 2007 against Oman and 2013 against Iraq.

Dalic's mandate extends beyond the Gulf Cup, as he aims to guide the UAE towards the Asian Cup and ultimately the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Regardless of the odds, Dalic and captain Khalid Essa are confident that the team can overcome the challenge posed by Saudi Arabia and secure the coveted Gulf Cup title.