메이저사이트 The new head coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national soccer team, Paulo Bento, scored a big win on his debut.
On Sept. 13 (ET), the UAE defeated Costa Rica 4-1 in a September A friendly at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, Croatia.
Yahya Al Ghassani opened the scoring for the UAE in the 16th minute. Khaoua then scored the team’s second goal in the 23rd minute. In the 38th minute, Ali Salmin rattled the Costa Rican net to give the UAE a three-goal lead before halftime.
The UAE scored again in the second half. Ghassani, who scored the opening goal, made it a multi-goal game eight minutes into the second half. Costa Rica pulled one back in the 19th minute through Julio Cascante, but it was too much to overcome.
With the win, Bento recorded a victory on his debut in charge of the UAE. The UAE were eliminated early from the Gulf Cup in January with two losses and one draw. With a win immediately following Bento’s appointment, the UAE will look to rebuild under the new coach.
Bento is also the longest-serving coach in South Korea’s history by a single term. Appointed as South Korea’s national coach in August 2018, he will remain in charge until December 2022. In four years and four months, he led South Korea to 10 consecutive World Cup finals and the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
After the World Cup in Qatar, he held talks with the Korean Football Association to renew his contract, but they were unable to agree on terms. “Korea will always be a part of my life,” said Bento. The players will always be with me in my heart forever,” he said in his farewell speech.
During his time off, Bento was linked to several national and club teams, including the Polish national team and the Ecuadorian national team. He eventually accepted the UAE head coaching job.