Former national team player and current Al-Bataeh player, Abdulaziz Hailal, stated that the recent international break was a key factor in his team's return to winning ways. After defeating Al-Khaleej 3-1 in the eighth round of the ADNOC Pro League, the team moved off the bottom of the table to 12th place with six points. Hailal told 'Al-Ittihad': 'The international break gave Al-Bataeh a crucial opportunity for several injured players to recover and return to the squad, which contributed to a good performance against Al-Khaleej and securing the win. As time goes on and more players return from injury, we will be able to show a better technical level, as the injuries we faced at the start of the season clearly affected the team's performance.' Regarding the national team's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals, Hailal said the outcome was unexpected in sporting circles, especially after the Football Association and relevant bodies provided all necessary requirements to prepare the team. He added: 'We hope that 'Al-Abyad' (the national team's nickname) will deliver outstanding performances in the upcoming Arabian Gulf Cup in Qatar and achieve positive results to restore the fans' confidence.' Hailal also highlighted the fans' clear support for the national team during the qualifiers, saying: 'The UAE fans did not fall short in supporting the team, whether in matches held inside the country or abroad, as was the case in the Asian playoff and the matches against Iraq in Abu Dhabi and Basra. The fans will continue their support in the Arabian Gulf Cup and all upcoming competitions.' Hailal explained that each phase has its own circumstances, adding: 'It is not correct to compare the current national team with the team I was part of nearly 10 years ago, as each generation has its own data and circumstances.'
