Facing UAE Is Not Easy - Malaysian Coach

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Chief coach of Malaysia's Harimau Malaya squad, Dollah Salleh regards the away match against United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the 2018 World Cup/2019 Asia Cup qualifying round as not an easy task. He said UAE was among the best teams on the Asian continent, however, Malaysia was not ready to concede defeat but harboured the chance of taking home at least one point. Malaysia will be facing UAE in the third match of Group A of the qualifying round at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi at 7.15pm local time (11.15pm Malaysian time), Friday. "After losing 6-0 to Palestine in a qualifying round earlier, I'm sure the players look forward to giving their best against UAE on Friday, Insya-Allah (God willing)," Dollah was quoted as saying via the website www.fam.org.my. He admitted that the lameness of the Harimau Malaya attacking machine when it drew with Bangladesh in a friendly match at Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday was a damper in the team's preparation for a torrid time against UAE. Harimau Malaya skipper, Safik Rahim is urging his teammates to give their best. "Our target is to win points and ensure a positive outcome to be brought home from Abu Dhabi. "I feel we are capable of giving full commitment, focus, discipline, and of following the directions and tactics of the coach. Most importantly, discipline during the game," said Safik. Meanwhile, UAE coach Mahdi Ali said he did not regard the match against Malaysia as easy or tough. "Nothing is impossible as we could see that all the teams of the Asian nations have improved in the last three or four years," he said. --BERNAMA