Sports analyst Spite Khattar stated that the national team's match against Iraq should not be thought of only in terms of the first leg match taking place today at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. He stressed the need to focus on the fact that the team will play another match in Iraq, and that the aggregate of the two matches will determine which team qualifies for the intercontinental playoff to secure its spot in the 2026 World Cup in America, Mexico, and Canada.
The former national team player and Al Ain and Al Jazira club player told "Al-Ittihad" that the "Whites" have a good group of players according to the list announced by the Football Association. As for his choice of players in the attack line, he said: "I hope that Harb Abdullah, Sultan Adel, Caio Lucas, and Caio Canedo will play, and I hope the coach plays in a 4-4-4 formation so that Caio Lucas is free on the field, given his ability to make a difference. Despite the difficulty of Cosmin changing the team's style of play, I hope he chooses the right lineup that leads the team to victory in the aggregate."
He added: "Some are treating the match as if it will be played on our home ground and that our chances are big, although we will play the return leg in Iraq. Therefore, the qualification should not be overlooked as it will be according to the aggregate of the two matches."
He continued: "We should not play with impulsiveness in the match that will be held on our home ground, as the match may end in a draw, as we are playing against a strong opponent with great capabilities. The most important thing is to sense responsibility, especially as the chances have shrunk and become more difficult gradually after we had an easier chance to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup."
He added: "What concerns me most is the readiness of the players and the roles that each player will play during the match, especially after the frustration of some clubs due to the decline in results in continental participations and the exit of some clubs from the President's Cup. Therefore, there is an important role for the administrative staff in dealing with the players, motivating them to appear in a good way during the next two matches."
He stressed: "Positive results automatically affect the players' performance with the national team, and the decline in results has a negative impact. However, the administrative apparatus is capable of dealing with the players, distancing them from this pressure, and focusing only on the national team."
He continued: "I am not talking about technical matters because it is difficult to speculate on these matters, as it is difficult to agree on a specific lineup that coach Olariu Cosmin relies on. Therefore, the technical staff is the most knowledgeable about the ready player who will be able to offer his best and help the team achieve victory."
Spite Khatter praised the national team's performance in the recent period, saying: "Despite the loss to Qatar, the team reacted well, and the same was true in our match against Oman. Therefore, we cannot say that the team is not good, and I hope that the players believe that their chances are big and focus on each match separately."
He concluded: "The Union has worked well in the recent period, and there is great support from the sports councils to achieve the dream of qualifying for the World Cup."
Tickets sold out.. Great love for the national team
Spite Khatter expressed his happiness at the tickets for the national team's match against Iraq being sold out, saying: "My message to the fans, who include citizens and all residents of the state, is thank you to them. The early sale of tickets shows the great love for the national team and the extent of support the team will receive in the match against Iraq. Therefore, I address a message to the players to be up to the responsibility, and that offering 100% of their effort will not be enough, but they must offer everything they have and be at their best, especially that the sell-out of tickets means the fans' trust in their capabilities. Therefore, the players must offer 120% of their level, and my feeling is that we are heading into a beautiful journey for UAE football in the coming period."
