Latest news with #Olaroiu
Al Etihad
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
FIFA World Cup qualifier: UAE draw fails to stop Uzbekistan seal historic entry to Finals
6 June 2025 00:32 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)The eve of Eid Al Adha did not bring the sweets the UAE desired in a 0-0 result in Abu Dhabi against Uzbekistan in a crucial match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying stage on Thursday. Needing a point to secure one of two automatic berths from Group A to the Finals in United States, Mexico and Canada, the second-placed Uzbekistan got what they needed after more than 90 minutes of action against the third-placed UAE at Al Wahda's Al Nahyan Cosmin Olaroiu's men hoped their rivals, also an Islam-dominated nation, would succumb to butterflies in their stomachs ahead of a historic first entry to the Finals stage, it did not UAE will now have to head to the next stage of qualifying where chances get slimmer. In anticipation of the difficult road, and manager Olaroiu having been parachuted into this game as a late replacement for Paulo Bento, the UAE fans unfurled huge banners of support which read: 'Dreams Will Come True' and 'We Trust You Guys'.For the strategists, UAE could have started aggressively or played a cautious hand at first. They seemed to have gone for the latter, even when there was early trouble for Uzbekistan when Farrukh Safyiev experienced groin or hamstring problems. He tried to come back but on his first touch again experienced discomfort and had to be replaced with Abbosbek Fayzullaev. In a dull first half, UAE showed more flair but not the finishing skills to boot. Seeing their hesitation or struggles, Uzbekistan made couple of forays, but the defenders and goalkeeper Khalid Eissa proved to alert through the match. If any indication was needed about the intent, the UAE started with a wing formation of 4-2-3-1 while Uzbekistan organised themselves in a diamond pattern with 3-4-2-1 making moves from the middle of the pitch scarce to come the breather, there was an immediate show of intent from the UAE with Caio Canedo attempting a weak shot and hoping to find the goalkeeper wrong-footed, in vain. Soon after, Uzbekistan had a counter threat saved by the crossbar. If the pace of the first 10 minutes raised hopes of a momentum shift, it proved to be a false past the hour mark, Olaroiu swaps out Ali Saleh with Yahya Al Ghassani, who came with many sprinting bursts but his colleagues were not in sync with him. And then, expectedly, Uzbekistan players started time-wasting tactics and cramping up to break the flow of the game. Uzbekistan got the draw they wanted, with a game to spare, however scrappy the point came. Meanwhile, the UAE play Kyrgyzstan next in their final group game, the away game mostly to stay firm in third or fourth place. Olariou and his men will now need to start also gearing up for the next round of play-offs where the middle teams of three groups will churn to get two teams into the funnel. The UAE remain in hope, that dreams will come true.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
World Cup qualifier: UAE out to spoil Uzbekistan's party
5 June 2025 00:04 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)The UAE national football team is gearing up to resurrect its joint qualification campaign for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup when they take on Uzbekistan in a must-win Group A match at Al Wahda's Al Nahyan Stadium on Thursday (8pm kick-off).Two matches remain in this round of qualifying; two teams from each of the three groups go through automatically. Iran have already qualified from the first are in second on 17 points, needing only a point, while UAE are in third on 13 points. Cosmin Olaroiu's men need both wins – the next one is away in Kyrgyzstan five days later – and also hope Uzbekistan lose to them and Qatar Uzbekistan will hope the pressure on the UAE will make it easy for them, the hosts can only hope the nerves get the better of the Uzbeks, who are out to make history by qualifying for the Finals – in US, Canada and Mexico – for the first coaches are experienced but fairly new to the job. Olaroiu was parachuted in place of Paulo Bento after Match Day 8 while Timur Kapadze had to be brought in after Srecko Katanec asked to be relieved due to health conditions. Both leaders in the dugout will also be sizing each other up with took charge last month after fulfilling duties with Sharjah, while Kapadze came on board in February. The latter paid a visit to Abu Dhabi to check on conditions in April and has Katanec, a former UAE coach, by his side for advice.'His condition is improving and he is assisting me,' Kapadze told the media at a pre-match news conference on must have followed Olaroiu closely over the past two months, and how he sparked a revival since taking over Sharjah in 2021, a club where the Uzbek manager had a short-lived stint of six months in chose the operative word well – belief – to explain his team's approach on Wednesday, displaying a positive mindset in training in the build-up at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Al Jazira's home, down the road from the match venue.'We must believe we will be there in the finals, and we will try to take each game as a final,' said Olaroiu, who included five Sharjah players in the preliminary squad. The coach has spent 10 years in the UAE with three clubs, including Shabab Al Ahli and Al Ain. 'I know my [Sharjah] players very well but they are national players now just like everybody.'Sat by his side was the Khaled Essa, the man in the last line of defence for the Whites. 'We are closer to the World Cup than ever before, having come a long way. We must believe each... us, fans; everyone is in this together,' said the and the defenders will need to be on guard if Kapadze chooses to field Eldor Shomurodov, the AS Roma forward, who joined the squad four days history-seeking Uzbekistan won't be easy, with the White Wolves having suffered defeat only once in their qualifying campaign. The players, said defender Rustam Ashurmatov, are determined to realise the dreams of their nation. 'We give our all in every match. We go to the field only to win. I think our team is capable of this – we will win,' said Ashurmatov to the local media, who have assembled in hordes in anticipation of witnessing a historic moment materialising in the UAE capital. Kapadze, meanwhile, arrived late to the press conference and only got to answer a couple of questions as a result. It is up to Olaroiu and his men to put Uzbekistan's party on hold. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
All eyes on Olaroiu to spark UAE's World Cup bid
4 June 2025 00:11 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)The national football team faces a pivotal moment in the fourth round of the Asian qualifying to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup under the guidance of newly appointed manager Cosmin Romanian has been parachuted into the role following the dismissal of Paulo Bento, with the UAE aiming to secure a spot in the global tournament set to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United the tough task, the coach is also the best placed to pin hopes of winning a qualification berth because the manager has coached three UAE clubs during 10 years of stay in the country. Even Olaroiu has acknowledge he picked up the posting because of his desire to "give back" for his deep-rooted connection to the UAE, both professionally and appointment comes after a successful tenure with Sharjah, where he led the club to victory in the AFC Champions League Two, marking his 14th trophy in the region. "I have a very difficult mission," Olaroiu acknowledged following Sharjah's triumph coming days after losing in the UAE President's Cup final against Shabab Al Ahli, another club he has coached."I know the big responsibility that I have. I have to pay back the hospitality this country has given me and my family. I have learned a lot of things in this country and have made myself a better person with a better vision of life. I have to pay back, which is why I accepted this mission."The UAE's path to World Cup qualification is challenging. Currently third in Group A, they trail group leaders Iran and second-placed Uzbekistan, with two matches remaining. The top two teams from each group earn automatic qualification, while the third and fourth-placed teams advance to further play-off Iran are through and Uzbekistan are four points ahead of UAE, the national team can still upset Uzbekistan whom they play on Thursday evening at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Uzbekistan, under coach Timur Kapadze, need only a draw in Abu Dhabi to secure their first-ever World Cup berth. A loss for the UAE would leave them into the grind of potentially two complicated final rounds of play-offs for third- and fourth-placed teams from this Olaroiu remains resolute. "Of course, I have the dream to participate in the World Cup. I will do my best to do that, and I think this fantastic nation deserves it," he stated. "The way this country has developed, the way they have grown up in sport, they deserve to participate in the World Cup. I hope we can do it."The final group match against Kyrgyzstan on June 10 will further determine the UAE's fate. If UAE beat Uzbekistan and the latter lose to Qatar, then even a draw against Kyrgyzstan should see UAE take the automatic second-place berth on better goal Uzbekistan's road can become tougher if they lose to UAE because they will be facing Qatar, who have also changed their coach and gone for the experienced Spanish stalwart Julen Lopetegui. Having replaced compatriot Luis Garcia, Lopetegui responded to a question if Qatar is looking at him for the long-term, by saying: "The long-term vision, for now, is the 5th of June," Lopetegui said to local media. "Then, it will be the 10th of June, that's how football works." Just like Lopetegui, Olaroiu is also looking to focus at the game in hand. Sporting a rare half-grin on his face after a training session at Al Jazira's Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium down the road from the match venue, the coach called upon the fans to come out in large numbers. "It is a very important night for UAE football and we need all your support and, Inshallah, we will bring home the most important result for us," Olaroiu said.
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Olaroiu wants Sharjah to soldier on for more success
20 May 2025 00:45 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Outgoing head coach Cosmin Olaroiu wants Sharjah to build on their Asian Champions League Two triumph, with the Romanian saying he firmly believes the future is bright for the one of the most successful clubs for the UAE domestically, Sharjah lifted their first major continental trophy after edging Singapore's Lion City Sailors 2-1 in a closely contested final on decider looked to be heading for extra-time when Lion City's Maxime Lestienne cancelled out Firas Ben Arbi's 74th-minute goal, but Marcus Meloni struck in the 97th minute to ensure Sharjah gave Olaroiu the perfect send-off, with the tactician to take charge of the UAE national team. "I am very proud and feel immense happiness. This is a feeling all those who contributed to this triumph should feel. This is for everyone, not only for Sharjah but for the entire Emirates. "The players did a fantastic job and it is only fitting that they finished with the trophy," said Olaroiu, who was not only given the honour of lifting the trophy but also was the 'victim' of his press conference being ambushed by his celebrating Sharjah players took a leaf out of the books of Al Ain, whom they emulate in ascending to the main draw in the Asian Champions League. When Al Ain won the ACL last year – the second time for the inaugural champions – the players barged into the press conference of Hernan Sunday, Olariou was given the same treatment, but also as the players' way of showing affection and bidding farewell to the coach who has spent a decade coaching Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli before reviving Sharjah when he took over in 2021. In charge for almost four seasons, Olaroiu was responsible for a golden period in the club's history. "In my time here, we qualified for eight finals and won five of them. I leave with wonderful memories and I thank the club for the faith they had in me. There was a period this season when we had to make sacrifices and prioritise. We did that in the league when we saw that Shabab Al Ahli were already too far ahead of us."We also had to prioritise the players as there was a period where we had to play eight games in 27 days. It was not possible, and we had to rotate the squad and the results went against us. However, it was all worth it as our target was winning this trophy."Olaroiu said Sunday's victory should be the first of many continental triumphs for Sharjah. "I hope this is a new beginning for Sharjah. They have to build a new team, have a new mentality. We have enjoyed much success, but there should be more ahead."It will not be entirely different for the Romanian who has to navigate two tricky group matches for the UAE in the Road to the 2026 World Cup's Asian qualifying path. The UAE are placed third and must fight hard if they want to secure the two automatic berths into the Finals for each group's toppers. There will be some continuity there for Olaroiu as five of his Sharjah players are in the national squad, including Caio Lucas, who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the the Asian Football Confederation President, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, congratulated Sharjah for their title-winning effort at a capacity-filled Bishan Stadium. "On behalf of the entire Asian football community, I extend my warmest congratulations to Sharjah on this remarkable achievement," Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim said. "Their outstanding campaign, as well as Lion City Sailors FC's commendable performances, underscore the vibrant domestic football ecosystems cultivated by the Football Association of Singapore and the UAE Football Association, which have been instrumental in this success."
New Paper
18-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Wounded Sharjah up for revenge to 'get the trophy they deserve' in ACL2
After losing the United Arab Emirates President's Cup final and ceding the UAE Pro League to Shabab Al-Ahli in a winless run of five games, Sharjah FC's season looked like it was going pear-shaped after a promising start. Wounded they may be, but the Emirati club could be dangerous as they attempt to salvage their campaign with their first piece of continental silverware when they face hosts Lion City Sailors in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) final at Bishan Stadium on May 18. At the pre-match press conference on May 17, Sharjah coach Cosmin Olaroiu said: "We always learn from every game, and we knew this would be a very tough season for us and we are going to struggle a lot. "By the work of these fantastic players, we are in the ACL2 final, which is a big achievement for the club. Now we have the last battle, our last final, and we have to focus. "We didn't deserve to lose the President's Cup final, but now it's time to take revenge and get the trophy the players deserve. We come here with the idea to take the trophy, and try not to disappoint our fans and families. We should be able to make one more effort, it doesn't matter how much it will cost us, to try to win this game." Before a ball had been kicked, the visitors went on the offensive as early as April. They had asked the organisers for "the allocation of a suitable stadium worthy of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Champions League 2 final", citing concerns over the Jalan Besar Stadium's 6,000 capacity and artificial pitch - the facility was used for the tournament's earlier rounds. The final was eventually moved to Bishan Stadium, which underwent upgrades to spruce up the natural turf, increase the capacity from around 3,000 to 10,000, and improve the lighting. Sharjah forward Caio Lucas said: "Sometimes it's hard to play on an artificial pitch, that's why we complained about that." Olaroiu added: "My point of view is that the final should be in a much proper stadium with a bigger capacity, because football is for the fans. Of course, all the other things like the quality of the pitch should have maximum standards, because it's a final and it is publicity for football in Asia. "They have made big efforts to fix these problems, and now we are here... our target is to win. We have to follow what we have to do and forget about all the other things." The team arrived in Singapore on May 14 with a full squad, including Brazil-born Emiratis like fullback Marcus Meloni and attackers Luanzinho and Lucas. Despite recent domestic struggles, they have shown fighting spirit in the second-tier Asian club competition, winning in the round of 16 and quarter-finals on penalties - with goalkeeper Adel Al-Hosani making four shoot-out saves - and coming from behind to beat Al-Taawoun in the semi-finals. Olaroiu complimented the Sailors for being "well-organised and well-prepared, with very good quality in front". Sharjah coach Cosmin Olaroiu complimented the Sailors for being "well-organised and well-prepared, with very good quality in front". PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The 55-year-old Romanian added: "They know how to use the spaces in transition. We have to take them seriously and with a lot of professionalism. Tomorrow, the team that find a way to have more self-control, play with maximum potential and peak in the final will win, and we hope it will be us." Sharjah will also be looking to give Olaroiu the perfect send-off, as the coach will take over the UAE national team from their next World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi on June 5. Caio said: "We try our best in every game to listen to what coach tells us and win each match. It will be a pleasure for us to give him this win and trophy."
