Abu Dhabi:Zlatko Dalic, the Croatian head coach of the UAE's senior national football team, congratulated his players on reaching the final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup. This achievement followed a 1-0 victory over Oman in the semi-final.

According to Emirates News Agency, Dalic praised Oman's performance, acknowledging their strong and determined play. He noted that Oman fought for every ball and metre on the pitch.

During the post-match press conference, Dalic expressed satisfaction with reaching the final, which he identified as the team's main objective, despite not meeting his performance expectations. He admitted that the team missed some opportunities, including a penalty, but emphasized the importance of qualifying for the final.

Dalic also shared his thoughts on the upcoming final against Saudi Arabia, acknowledging the strength of the host team and the challenge posed by playing in front of a home crowd. He anticipated a tough encounter with a stadium full of supporters and expressed respect for the Saudi team.