UAE head coach calls Vietnam victory their best game

By Lam Thoa June 15, 2021 | 03:39 pm PT

Coach Bert van Marwijk in the press conference after Vietnam and UAE's World qualification match on June 15, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa.

Coach Bert van Marwijk is proud of the way UAE beat Vietnam to secure a place in the final World Cup qualifying round.

"I’m proud of this team and what they have done. We played the top quality football in each game. We won big in the previous games and now is the 3-2 victory over Vietnam in a decisive match. This is UAE’s best game," Marwijk said in the post-match press conference on Tuesday.

In a must-win game against Vietnam, UAE dominated right at the start and led 3-0 after 50 minutes. Although Vietnam shortened the gap by scoring two goals in the last 15 minutes, UAE kept the score until the end and took the top spot of group G.

"UAE respected the opponent so we tried to play the best football with highest determination. If there’s something that I’m not happy about this game is that we conceded two goals in the last minutes," Marwijk said.

UAE have shown stellar form this year as they went unbeaten in seven games.

"I’m satisfied with what this team have done. We worked hard and prepared well, physically and mentally. This is a great team with young and promising players. They inspired me so much that I want to put on my shoes and play, but I’m too old for that now," Marwijk said.