(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) UAE coach Edgardo Bauza was downcast after seeing his team pull off a draw against Thailand in World Cup qualifying, in his first game in charge.
The UAE were made to struggle by a resurgent Thailand and were ever so close to a shock defeat against The War Elephants after Mongkol Thosakrai's goal on 69 minutes. But Al Jazira frontman Ali Ahmed Mabkhout struck late in stoppage time to save them the blushes at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. It wasn't the result that the UAE were expecting against the basement dwellers in their group, not least Bauza.
The stalemate leaves the UAE more of less out of the reckoning for a berth at next year's World Cup in Russia and an appearance at only a second World Cup after Italia 1990. Victory is paramount in their remaining two fixtures in Group B - against Middle Eastern heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The UAE play Saudi Arabia at home on August 29 with the away trip to Iraq on September 5.
Bauza was crestfallen after the stalemate against Thailand but said that they had to look ahead now to the games against Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
"Today's (Tuesday) match was not what I wanted," Bauza said at his post-match Press conference.
"I really wanted my team to win. We couldn't play in our way as planned. As I said before, I am so sad for this result. I am not happy at all," he added.
Nonetheless, Bauza said that they have to pick up the pieces and move on.
"I know the situation in the group is really bad, but we will work hard for the next matches with Saudi and Iraq. For the future, I will work with my team to ensure they are ready for the next matches. I have a plan and a vision, and I will prepare everything for the next matches," said the former Argentina coach, whose short tenure of eight games with La Albiceleste saw him win three, draw two and lose three.
The 59-year-old also gave credit to Thailand for their fighting qualities and felt that the hosts could have won the game.
"Our opponents had so many chances to score and win the game. We tried to find a solution, but we couldn't do it. Thailand have very good players and they played very well," said Bauza.
Meanwhile, Bauza's opposite number Milovan Rajevac, who too was in charge of his first game, said it was a fantastic effort despite them missing out on a historic win.
"We were very close to making history. The guys did fantastic work. We deserved to win but unfortunately we conceded the goal in injury time. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic effort," said Rajevac.
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