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| March 1, 2006 | Wednesday | Muharram 30, 1427 |
UAE and Pakistan taking today’s clash seriously
KARACHI, Feb 28: A new-look Pakistan clash with Asian soccer giants UAE on Wednesday in the Asian Cup qualifier with coach Salman Ahmed Sharida saying his side would be firing on all cylinders but encounter would be more of a learning experience.
“We will definitely be trying to win tomorrow’s game and display good soccer. But basically I see this match as a learning opportunity for my players. We have several young and inexperienced players in our ranks and they desperately need to play great number of international games,” Sharida told Dawn on Tuesday.
Pakistan, preparing for this year’s SAF Games in Colombo, and UAE will play their second Group ‘C’ qualifying round match at People’s Sports Complex at 9.00pm.
The visitors enjoy an edge over hosts not only being a highly-rated outfit, but also after a morale-boosting 1-0 triumph over Oman at home in their first qualifying clash. On the other hand, Pakistan, who are now under Bahrain’s Sharida since October 2005, lost their away game 3-0 to Jordan.
Pakistan, who lost to Palestine 3-0 in a friendly and were beaten by two Bahraini clubs and drew one practice game, have virtually been transformed into a young but inexperienced side after SAFF championship last December.
While Fulham defender Zesh Rehman, playing back home in England will be missed, Pakistan will have newcomers Misbah, Khalid Munir, Mohammad Waseem, Samar Ishaq, Jawaid and Faheem in their ranks.
The rebuilding process started soon after the SAFF event for Sharida has future assignments in his mind for which the team needs young players who could learn quickly and play longer for the national side.
“I have just started. Positive results can be achieved after months perhaps years of international exposure. I have inducted several young and talented players after leaving out older ones after SAFF competition. We can’t expect them to do wonders all of a sudden. UAE are too good for us. But I think the match will be a big exposure for our players,” says Sharida.
The Bahraini said he had only 20 days for training before the encounter against Jordan and added instant glories should not be expected in a short time. “Games against Jordan gave the players confidence and match against UAE will provide much-needed exposure which is exactly we need.”
Things might become difficult for the hosts on Wednesday since Pakistan captain Jaffar Khan injured his thigh muscle during a session on Tuesday.
“I got a nasty blow on my thigh by Kamran during practice today. At the moment it hurts and I am taking treatment but I hope things will improve by tomorrow,” said the goalkeeper.
While Pakistan are justified in not taking UAE easy, Dominique Bathenay, the UAE coach and captain Mohammed Omar are also cautious against Pakistan.
“It will not be easy against Pakistan tomorrow. In modern football you can’t say anything for sure. Anybody can win in football now. Pakistan have nothing to lose. They gave fine performance against Jordan. And that’s why we are not ready to take Pakistan as an easy target,” Bathenay told reporters before session at People’s Sports Complex.
Bathenay, a French international who played 20 games for his country, however did not mince words, saying it would be field and not the crowd which would make a difference.
“It’s the field which counts and not the stands. If the field proves good and whoever plays better would win. I don’t see home crowd as an advantage to Pakistan or a disadvantage to UAE.”
The Frenchman’s side has been flying high after 1-0 win over Oman and a 1-0 victory over 2002 World Cup semifinalists South Korea in a friendly. UAE also thrashed Syria 3-0, while played a 1-1 draw with Libya in practice games.
The 31-year-old UAE captain Omar was also of the view the clash against Pakistan would be crucial.
“It will be a good experience for both the teams. Pakistan played well against Jordan. We have some young and inexperienced players and need three precious points to move ahead. Though we are not under pressure, football has now changed and you can’t predict victory against anybody. But we are 100 per cent ready for tomorrow’s match.”
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