UAE Under 23 coach says players left 'completely drained' by fixture list and hot conditions

Ali Ibrahim, the national Olympic team coach, has blamed a difficult schedule for his team's struggles in the GCC Under 23 Championships in Bahrain.

UAE at GCC U-23 Champs (UAE Football Association) *** Local Caption *** DSC_5226.jpg

Ali Ibrahim, the national Olympic team coach, has blamed a difficult schedule for his team's struggles in the GCC Under 23 Championships after the UAE finished their group engagements with one point from two matches.

Less than 48 hours after their 1-0 defeat to hosts Bahrain in the tournament opener on Thursday night, the UAE took the pitch again on Saturday against Kuwait and were held to 1-1 draw.

The Emiratis seemingly controlled the game and after a few close misses in the first half took the lead in the 50th minute when Salim Ali blasted home a cross from Khalid Jalal.

The Kuwaitis, however, equalised in the 65th minute when Sherida Shraideh found the net from a free kick, the ball deflecting off a UAE defender to leave Ahmed Chambeh stranded.

"We had plenty of opportunities in the first half, but could not capitalise," Ibrahim said.

"We finally managed to score early in the first half, but conceded the equaliser due to a lack of focus.

"The players tried to do their best, but were completely drained because they were playing their second match inside 48 hours in these very hot and humid conditions."

The effects of the difficult conditions were evident after the game, when officials said two Kuwaiti players fainted from exhaustion and needed medical attention.

Having played twice inside three days, the UAE must wait until tonight, when Bahrain play Kuwait, to know if they will stay in Bahrain or return home.

If Bahrain beat Kuwait by a margin of two goals or more, the UAE will make their fourth consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of a tournament they won 2010.

If Bahrain win by 1-0, a toss of a coin between Kuwait and the UAE will decide the second semi-finalists from the group.

Currently, six teams are divided into two groups and each of them play just two games. One bad result could mean the end of the tournament.

"I would like to propose that the tournament be held on a league basis from next year," Ibrahim said.

"That would allow teams to play a greater number of matches, instead of just two."

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