Speaking ahead of the game, Bento highlighted the significance of finishing the current stage of the qualifiers without any losses. The UAE team, which leads Group H, will host Bahrain in the sixth and final round of the second stage of the joint Asian qualifiers.
Bento stated, “Despite already qualifying for the Asian Cup and the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers, we aim to enhance our performance. We are one of the few teams that can finish the qualifiers unbeaten and with minimal goals conceded.”
Reflecting on their previous encounter with Bahrain, Bento acknowledged the difficulty of the match and praised Bahrain as a strong team. He expressed determination to secure victory and achieve a perfect score.
Bento also emphasised that player selection for the match will be based on competence and readiness, regardless of age.
Discussing preparations for the third stage of the World Cup qualifiers and the impact of Al Ain Club's recent successes in the AFC Champions League and ADNOC Professional League, Bento noted that the local competition schedule would influence their preparation strategy. He mentioned that a detailed plan would be formulated after the draw for the third stage, once the opponents are known.
Bento dismissed the need for summer camps for national team players, stressing that their focus should be on their clubs' pre-season preparations. He looked forward to the appropriate time for national team training.
Finally, Bento expressed his hope for continued public support for the national team, noting that the recent victories of local clubs had positively influenced the team's morale.
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