Newly-appointed UAE coach Bauza looks at the bigger picture

Dubai - Former Argentina coach Bauza, who arrived in Dubai late on Tuesday night, was officially unveiled as the new coach of the National team, at the UAE Football Association (UAE FA) Headquarters at Al Khawaneej on Thursday night

New UAE coach Edgardo Bauza said that it was a new challenge and added that he wasn't just looking at the World Cup qualifying campaign, but the bigger picture.
Former Argentina coach Bauza, who arrived in Dubai late on Tuesday night, was officially unveiled as the new coach of the National team, at the UAE Football Association (UAE FA) Headquarters at Al Khawaneej on Thursday night.
The UAE FA President Marwan bin Ghalita was also in attendance.
The 59-year-old, who was axed by Argentina after eight games at the helm, has been handed a two-year contract, which will see him through until the AFC Asian Cup in the UAE in 2019.
Bauza replaces Mahdi Ali, who resigned following the defeat against Australia. It brought an end to a five-year stint with 'The Whites.'
Earlier in the day, Bauza signed the formal agreement with Ibrahim Hassan Al Nemer, the UAE FA Secretary General.
"First of all, it is a personal challenge," Bauza told reporters.
"We are all on the same page, the UAE FA President and me. We are not only thinking about the three games (in World Cup qualifying) but also long term. It is a long term project and that is what I have in mind as well. That's my main goal. I want to start work as soon as possible and try and improve the team for the initial term of two years. But we are looking beyond as everyone is on the same page and have the same aim," he added.
'The Whites' have nine points from seven games and are currently place fourth in Group A, in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers. Japan and Saudi Arabia are on 16 points each, while Australia have 13 points.
The top two teams from the group will directly qualify for the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia in 2018.
There is still a ray of hope for the UAE though if they win their remaining three fixtures. If the UAE manage to win all their three games, they will go into a fourth round play-off.
The third-placed team from Group A will cross swords with the third-placed team from Group B in a two-legged play-off in the fourth round. The winner of that fixture will go into an inter-confederation play-off from Asia.
Bauza's UAE debut will come against Thailand away on June 13. The UAE then face a stiff test against neighbours Saudi Arabia at home on August 31. Their last fixture is against Iraq away on September 5.
Bauza felt that UAE were still in with a chance but it also depended on other results.
"It is difficult but mathematically, it is still possible. For sure, we will try and give it our best. We will try to win all our remaining three games. Of course, it is difficult because it just doesn't depend on my team. It depends on other results. We can win the three of them but then you have to look at other results," he said.
Bauza revealed that he had done some homework about the UAE team before getting here and also watched footage of their previous games. Bauza's only experience in the Middle East was with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, whom he coached in 2009.
"I had done some research about the team before coming here but I now have some more knowledge about the team after watching three games from the qualifying campaign. From this, I will start working and try and improve the situation," said Bauza.
Bauza will head to Abu Dhabi on Friday to watch freshly-minted Arabian Gulf League Champions Al Jazira take on Al Dhafra. He will also watch the President's Cup final between Al Wahda and Al Nasr on May 18.
Bauza has won the Copa Libertadores twice and he also played a vital role in bringing Lionel Messi out of international retirement.
james@khaleejtimes.com