"Indians were a tough side" Ahmed Khalil UAE Striker
After a 1-1 draw against
Bahrain and a point on the Group A table, the UAE find itself in a crucial tie
versus India on Thursday.
Ahmed Khalil, the
substitute striker, who drew level in the first match through his penalty, said
Indians were a tough side.
"Indians have
improved a lot in last two years. They have done well to reach here. We will
have to work things out before facing them. We have to win that match,"
Khalil said.
With hopes of a nation
riding on them, the UAE will lock horns with India at Zayed Sports City Stadium
on Thursday.
Omar Abdulrahman, the
UAE magician, was sorely missed in the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup
against Bahrain.It was always Omar, who would roll out perfect passes into the
box for striker Ali Mabkhout to convert. With the regular service missing,
Mabkhout was ineffective in front of goal in the opener. Omar, the former Al
Ain star now plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, is recovering from an
injury and was ruled out of the tournament.
After a 1-1 draw against
Bahrain and a point on the Group A table, the UAE find itself in a crucial tie
versus India on Thursday and 'Amoory' urges fellow countrymen to stand behind
the 'Whites'.
"Support and
encouragement is the least that can be provided to this team representing the
country in an important tournament," Omar was quoted by UAE FA.
"I have confidence
in the ability of these players to reach the next round and continue the quest
for the title. A solid public support will raise their spirit and bring the
best out of them. The team carries the hopes and dreams of all the people in
the UAE and needs the efforts from all of us. We must all be keen to support
and encourage the players. Whatever the outcome, the tournament is still long
and the team got great chance of progressing further in this tournament."
Omar said it was time to
move on rather than worrying about the drawn result of the first match against
Bahrain. "The 'Whites' did well but couldn't succeed in achieving the
victory expected by fans."
Omar noted that the UAE
didn't have luck in the opener. "I wish success to players in both the games
- against India and Thailand."