UAE coach Paulo Bento praised the attitude of his players who started their 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a win, but reminded them that Bahrain will pose a completely different test next week.
The national team started the second qualifying round with a comfortable 4-0 win over lowly Nepal in Dubai on Thursday night.
At Al Maktoum Stadium, record goalscorer Ali Mabkhout scored two goals between the goals of defender Khalifa Al Hammadi and forward Fabio de Lima. All four played in the first half.
The victory secured the UAE top spot in Group H, with second-placed Bahrain defeating Yemen 2-0 in Saudi Arabia.
Bento, who was appointed as Rodolfo Arruaballena’s replacement in July, said after the match that he was pleased with his team’s effort that night. This result marked a winning start to his competitive career.
“We played a reasonable game,” said the former Portugal and South Korea national team coach. “In the first half we were very effective with our chances. We scored from set pieces. [twice] In the same way. They may have had some chances to score in the second half, but they weren’t very effective.
“But I think in the end it was a deserved victory. Certainly, it was important to get off to a good start.”
The UAE will head to Bahrain to conclude a qualifying double-header as they aim to secure their second World Cup appearance in the country’s history. They will face their Gulf rivals in Riffa on Tuesday.
“We’re generally happy with the attitude and results,” Bent said. “And of course we know that we have to improve in the next game, because it’s definitely going to be a different game than this one.”
If the UAE finds any joy in Bahrain, it will likely have to rely on Mabkhout again. The Al Jazeera striker took over as captain on Thursday and has already scored an unprecedented 83 goals for his national team.
“He is a player that all the fans know about his characteristics and characteristics. He is a player with technical quality and knows what he needs to do, especially in attack,” Bento said.
But Bent added: “And he has to adapt to certain things that we ask of him as a technical staff, especially on the defensive side as well. That’s what he’s trying to do. He’s growing in that moment of the game.
“Yes, he can be an important player for us, but like any other player, he may start at times. [while] Sometimes other players do the work.
“Because we’re going to demand other aspects. Not every game demands the same thing. There are other players who can play as strikers with different characteristics.
“So it depends a little bit on our strategy in each match. And our concept is that a forward or a striker is good and important just because he scores one or two goals. Not.
“Just as it is important for defenders to participate well in the attacking process, it is also important for strikers and wingers to participate well in the defensive line.
“It’s connections like this, work like this that make the team better. And this is what we’re looking for.”
Updated: November 17, 2023, 4:57 p.m.