UAE beat Costa Rica 4-1 in a friendly match held in Stadeun Maximir, Croatia, on the 13th (Korea Standard Time). Yahya al-Gashini drove in two goals, and Kaiu Kaneda Koheiya and Ali Salmin added one more goal each.
The UAE ranks 72nd, far behind Costa Rica, which is 46. In addition, Costa Rica gained momentum by defeating Saudi Arabia 3-1 in the last match.
Costa Rica was widely expected to beat the UAE depending on its objective power and flow, but Bento answered with a great victory.
Prior to the game, Bento urged the players to “strongly prove their abilities, whether through training or friendly matches.”
The match against Costa Rica was Bento's first match at the helm of the UAE.
It was a great motivation for the players who joined the national team after being called by Bento to secure a starting position.
Regarding the game, Bento ordered, “Exercise a tremendous concentration for 90 minutes.”
He also warned, “If we leave space for the opponent to use, our performance that we can play could be hindered,” and stressed, “It is important to utilize opportunities and build up to diversify our play in depth.”
As Bento ordered, UAE players did not lose their concentration for 90 minutes and most of all, scored with organized and organic play.
Among the four goals scored by the UAE, the second and fourth goals were the highlights. In the 22nd minute of the first half, UAE succeeded in penetrating deep into the left side. The two players secured cross space with a 2-1 pass and sent the ball to the opposite area. Al-Sarech, who received the ball from the opposite area, passed it to the player heading to the gate without catching it, and Kaigo Kanedo finished it lightly.
The fourth goal, which came in the eighth minute of the second half, was made by only two people. Al-Nasini, who scored the first goal, handed the ball to midfielder Yahia Nader from the side and penetrated into the penalty box. Nader threw a through pass at Nassini without delay, who shook the Costa Rican net with a right-footed shot.
In addition, Bento prepared for his debut and prepared for the future. According to the UAE Football Association, Bento visited UAE's first-division teams in person and met with technical directors to discuss stories about national team players and ways to cooperate with future players.
Bento took the helm of the UAE in July. The contract period is three years, and the UAE Football Association guaranteed Bento a contract period until the North-Central America World Cup in July 2026. The Asian Cup, which will be held in Qatar in January, is the first goal, and it is a project to advance to the finals after the World Cup qualifiers.
