Bauza is new UAE soccer team manager

Argentine coach Edgardo Bauza

PHOTO BY FACEBOOK

Argentine coach introduced to the press at UAEFA office last night

DUBAI – Argentine coach Edgardo Bauza has been tapped by the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) as the new manager of the national soccer team.

Bauza was presented to the press by the UAEFA in the latter’s headquarters in Al Khawaneej last night.

Bauza replaces Emirati coach Mahda Ali. Ali quit as manager of the UAE team’s defeat to Australia in a qualifying event for the 2018 World Cup last March. That loss left the UAE four points off the minimum third place needed to play in next year’s World Cup in Russia.

According to reports, Bauza will be tasked to lead the UAE national team get a World Cup slot in its last three qualifying games against Thailand on June 13, Saudi Arabia on August 31 and Iraq on September 5.

Bauza’s only experience with a Middle Eastern team was with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in 2009. Prior to his stint in the UAE, Bauza managed the Argentina team for eight months.

“First of all, it is a personal challenge. We are all on the same page, the UAE FA president, the directors and I. We are not thinking only about the three games but also long-term. It is a long-term project – that is what I have in mind, as well. That’s my main goal. I want to start work as soon as possible and try and improve the team for the initial term of two years. But we are looking beyond as everyone has the same aim,” said Bauza.

He also said he will do his best to lead the team to victory in his matches against Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

“First of all, it is a personal challenge. We are all on the same page, the UAE FA president, the directors and I. We are not thinking only about the three games but also long-term. It is a long-term project – that is what I have in mind, as well. That’s my main goal. I want to start work as soon as possible and try and improve the team for the initial term of two years. But we are looking beyond as everyone has the same aim,” Bauza said.

He said he will do his best to lead the UAE team to victory in its matches against Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

“We will try to win all our remaining three games. Of course, it is difficult because it just doesn’t depend on my team, it depends on other results. We can win the three matches, but then you have to look at other results,” Bauza added. GAC/Expat Media

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