In another clash, Iraq will take on improving Oman later in the night at the same venue.

However, while the chairman of the country's football governing body Yousuf Al Serkal appeared optimistic about the chances of the national team in the hunt for the title, the Dutch coach Aad De Mos showed some optimism believing that great improvement has been achieved and the players are now far better than before.

Ironically, while Al Serkal is of the opinion that they have arrived in Doha not to compete for the title, the football association is considering the arrangement of charter flights to carry the fans of the national team "if UAE beat Qatar in the opener!"

Meanwhile, the head of the technical committee at the association Khaled bin Fares also echoed the same opinion of his boss arguing that there is a lot of work to do before they can say they are targeting the prestigious trophy.

"We are aiming at preparing a good side for the future and the 17th edition of the Gulf Cup is the first stop over for us in the process," Fares said.

"Our main concern is to make our presence felt in the competition and receive the respect of our fans back at home, and nothing otherwise matters," he said.

According to Fares, good results will come later because when you create a well-tuned squad at the highest physical and tactical readiness, then all the doors will open in your way.

It is a matter of time and effort and we have put our feet at the threshold of the right track," he argued.

"The present team is a blend of experienced and young players and they need more time to gain experience and self-confidence through a well-planned strategy," he added.

Coach’s future

UAE coach Mos is believed to have put his hands in the cold water after having received the assurances of the football boss Yousuf Al Serkal that his service with the association will not be influenced with the outcome of their participation in the tournament on the grounds that he has been recruited to work for the future despite his continued failure in the Asian Cup finals and the World Cup qualifiers.

For many observers, the words of Al Serkal to the coach and players will have adverse effects and kill the initiative and the fighting spirits of the players.

Most of the local observers pointed out that they are of the opinion that the Gulf Cup should be the last and final test for the Dutchman to prove his worth. "We appreciate that there is nothing easy in football. It is going to be a very tough task for our youngsters, but let us give the manager Mos the chance to say his final word and thereafter we will also say ours," a Dubai-based journalist wrote.

"It is true that the outcome of any clash between any two Gulf teams is unpredictable where various factors influence both the run and results of the matches due to the traditional rivalry between them, but it is also true that the most professional and sincere work can easily be recognised," he said.

Under the circumstances, most of the UAE players lauded the argument of their coach that they are under no pressure to excel. Talented striker Ismael Mattar pointed out that they are in a better position than their opponents Qatar, "because they are playing under no pressure and this is a positive element which they are going to exploit!" Al Shaab forward Mohammed Suroor said they do not promise anything, but "we will do our best."