The UAE national team held its first training session in Abu Dhabi today, marking the start of the second phase of its preparation program. The team has relocated its training camp from Dubai following the conclusion of the first phase, in preparation for the upcoming match. During the first phase, which concluded yesterday, the coaching staff conducted several training sessions for the players at the Al Maktum Stadium in Al Nasr Club. The players performed daily training sessions with high enthusiasm and great energy. It is worth noting that the latest squad list included 26 players.
National coach and technical analyst Eid Barout confirmed that the national football team has no choice but to win against its Iraqi counterpart next Thursday in the first leg of the Asian playoff for the 2026 World Cup. He considered the return match against the 'Lions of the Two Rivers' in the Iraqi city of Basra to be difficult, scheduled for the 18th of this month. He stressed that the team's chance of qualifying for the World Cup is still alive, and the team must believe in its chances of reaching the World Cup, especially since nothing is impossible in the world of football.
Barout described the coach of 'Al-Abdah', Romanian Olaru Cosmin, as an obstinate coach who loves challenges and adventure, and that his options are numerous in terms of players capable of making a difference in the team's lineup.
Eid Barout told 'Emirates Today': 'The team needs luck in its two upcoming matches against Iraq.' He added that 'the process of constant changes in the team is not an easy matter, and therefore the team needs to increase the number of matches the players play together.' He confirmed that he is not making excuses but is speaking realistically based on the current situation.
He pointed out that 'the team needs stability in the lineup and players for a long period, as well as stability in the coaching staff,' describing the constant changes as a double-edged sword.
Regarding the options available to coach Cosmin for the matches against Iraq, Eid Barout confirmed that 'Cosmin's options are excellent and diverse, as they combine experienced players and young faces.' He indicated that 'the players have played seven matches so far in the ADNOC Pro League at a high and excellent technical level, so stability is the most important thing for the team at this stage.'
On the extent of the ability of the team's coaching staff under the leadership of Cosmin to restore the players' confidence in themselves after the team missed a historic opportunity to secure a direct World Cup ticket through the last Asian playoff, Barout said: 'I believe that Cosmin is one of those coaches who has a special way of dealing with players, preparing them, and encouraging them. He follows a policy of high competition among the players themselves. His personality as a coach in recent years gives the impression that he has great potential in terms of motivation and personality, and not giving up to the opponent easily, as he does not throw in the towel easily. He is an obstinate coach who loves challenges and adventure in particular.'
Eid Barout: • 'Al-Abdah' has no choice but to win against Iraq, considering the difficulty of the return match. • The team needs stability in the lineup and players for a long period. • Cosmin has great potential in terms of motivation and personality, and does not give up to the opponent easily.
