Zlatko Dalic says UAE’s Gulf Cup final against Saudi Arabia will be ‘the easiest match’

Zlatko Dalic has described the United Arab Emirates’ Gulf Cup 27 final against Saudi Arabia as “the easiest match”, with the two sides meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday evening.

The final will be played at the Jewel Stadium, where Dalic said he hoped the occasion would be enjoyed by the players and supporters watching both inside the ground and on television.

“Tuesday’s match will be the easiest match because it is a final,” Dalic told Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya. “I hope the players enjoy the game, as do the fans in the stadium and those watching on television.”

The UAE coach said his squad had spent the previous 24 hours preparing for the decisive fixture and thanked the team’s supporters for their backing.

“We have worked over the past 24 hours to prepare ourselves,” he said. “We thank our fans for their support. I have great confidence in the players and in their ability to win the title.”

Dalic acknowledged the challenge posed by Saudi Arabia but said the UAE would look to make the most of every opportunity.

“We will try to take advantage of every chance that comes our way,” he added. “We know our opponents are strong and difficult, but we must be at the highest level of concentration and defensive awareness.”

The Croatian said the short preparation period had limited what the UAE could show before the final, but insisted his players would give everything in their attempt to lift the trophy.

“We did not have enough time to show everything we have, but we will do our utmost in the final,” Dalic said. “I have enough experience to give everything I have in the service of the UAE. My experience extends beyond nine years, and we are all seeking positive results.”

Dalic also described winning the tournament with the UAE as a major personal challenge after taking charge of the side.

“I am particularly looking forward to achieving success with the UAE,” he said. “This is a major challenge for me. I want to begin my journey, after taking over, by winning the title.”

United Arab Emirates captain Khalid Eisa expects a competitive final between the two teams and believes victory could mark the start of a new period of success for the national side.

“I thank the UAE fans for standing by us and supporting us,” Eisa said. “We have faced several challenges recently, and bad luck was sometimes the reason we failed to achieve the results we wanted.

“I hope Tuesday’s match will be the beginning of the harvest and the start of a new phase of winning titles.”

Eisa also recalled Dalic’s impact at Al Ain in 2016, when the team’s fortunes changed after the Croatian replaced another manager.

“Zlatko knows what a player needs to be ready to produce his best,” Eisa said. “I still remember what happened in 2016 with Al Ain. Our results were poor with another coach, but after Zlatko arrived, the situation changed and he succeeded with us, enabling us to win a title during the first month.”