Zlatko Dalic urges UAE players to stay grounded after Yemen rout

"All I ask from my players is to show the same seriousness in the coming matches," Dalic said. He made it plain that one strong result does not mean the job is done. Dalic praised his squad for turning their hard training into a good performance, but he called the win just a small step. According to The National, this was Dalic's first official match as UAE coach. He took over in August 2026 and had about 42 days with the team before this game.

The UAE's 4-0 win over Yemen at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah propelled them to the top of Group B with 3 points after the first round.

Dalic said the real challenge is to keep discipline and stay humble. He told his players to "keep their feet on the ground" and respect every opponent, no matter the score. Dalic trusts his squad, but he keeps pushing them to focus and respect the demands of the tournament. Before the match, Dalic had warned that underestimating Yemen could cause problems. He told his players to take every opponent seriously, as reported by Voice of Emirates.
The Gulf Cup is underway in Jeddah. The UAE's big win over Yemen sets a high standard, but Dalic's approach is familiar in UAE sports. In other campaigns, like those reported earlier in aquabike and judo, early wins are seen as a base to build on, not the end goal. In this match, Nicolas Gimenez scored twice for the UAE, once in the 26th minute and again in the 51st. Luan Pereira added another, and Yemen's Nader Sahala scored an own goal, according to Index.hr and The National.
The group stage is still ahead. Dalic's push for humility and hard work is not just talk. The UAE's hopes in the Gulf Cup will depend on keeping up their intensity and respecting every challenge. Dalic's leadership shows that the team's mindset, not just their skill, will decide how far they go in this tournament.

The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia marks the beginning of a new era for the UAE national team under former Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic. The UAE is aiming for its third title in the tournament's history, and the emphatic start against Yemen has raised expectations for the squad's potential in this campaign.