Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The national football team faces a pivotal moment in the fourth round of the Asian qualifying to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup under the guidance of newly appointed manager Cosmin Olaroiu.
The Romanian has been parachuted into the role following the dismissal of Paulo Bento, with the UAE aiming to secure a spot in the global tournament set to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Despite the tough task, the coach is also the best placed to pin hopes of winning a qualification berth because the manager has coached three UAE clubs during 10 years of stay in the country. Even Olaroiu has acknowledge he picked up the posting because of his desire to "give back" for his deep-rooted connection to the UAE, both professionally and personally.
Olaroiu's appointment comes after a successful tenure with Sharjah, where he led the club to victory in the AFC Champions League Two, marking his 14th trophy in the region. "I have a very difficult mission," Olaroiu acknowledged following Sharjah's triumph coming days after losing in the UAE President's Cup final against Shabab Al Ahli, another club he has coached.
"I know the big responsibility that I have. I have to pay back the hospitality this country has given me and my family. I have learned a lot of things in this country and have made myself a better person with a better vision of life. I have to pay back, which is why I accepted this mission."
The UAE's path to World Cup qualification is challenging. Currently third in Group A, they trail group leaders Iran and second-placed Uzbekistan, with two matches remaining. The top two teams from each group earn automatic qualification, while the third and fourth-placed teams advance to further play-off rounds.
While Iran are through and Uzbekistan are four points ahead of UAE, the national team can still upset Uzbekistan whom they play on Thursday evening at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Uzbekistan, under coach Timur Kapadze, need only a draw in Abu Dhabi to secure their first-ever World Cup berth. A loss for the UAE would leave them into the grind of potentially two complicated final rounds of play-offs for third- and fourth-placed teams from this stage.
Yet, Olaroiu remains resolute. "Of course, I have the dream to participate in the World Cup. I will do my best to do that, and I think this fantastic nation deserves it," he stated. "The way this country has developed, the way they have grown up in sport, they deserve to participate in the World Cup. I hope we can do it."
The final group match against Kyrgyzstan on June 10 will further determine the UAE's fate. If UAE beat Uzbekistan and the latter lose to Qatar, then even a draw against Kyrgyzstan should see UAE take the automatic second-place berth on better goal difference.
Incidentally, Uzbekistan's road can become tougher if they lose to UAE because they will be facing Qatar, who have also changed their coach and gone for the experienced Spanish stalwart Julen Lopetegui. Having replaced compatriot Luis Garcia, Lopetegui responded to a question if Qatar is looking at him for the long-term, by saying: "The long-term vision, for now, is the 5th of June," Lopetegui said to local media. "Then, it will be the 10th of June, that's how football works."
Just like Lopetegui, Olaroiu is also looking to focus at the game in hand. Sporting a rare half-grin on his face after a training session at Al Jazira's Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium down the road from the match venue, the coach called upon the fans to come out in large numbers. "It is a very important night for UAE football and we need all your support and, Inshallah, we will bring home the most important result for us," Olaroiu said.
