The UAE’s Brazilian forward, Fabio Lima, expressed disappointment over his team’s missed opportunity to lead Group A in the Arabian Gulf Cup after a 1-1 draw against Qatar on Saturday. Lima, who scored four goals in the UAE’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Qatar in last month’s 2026 World Cup qualifier, acknowledged his team’s failure to capitalize on several promising chances in a game they largely controlled. “We had a great chance to secure all three points and top the group. Doing so would have made our path to the knockout stage much smoother,” Lima commented. “The team performed exceptionally well and dominated the game, but we struggled to finish our chances.” Despite the missed opportunities, Lima remained optimistic, pointing out that Kuwait and Oman’s 1-1 draw kept all teams level in the group. “The result isn’t disastrous, as no team has taken a clear lead,” he said. Looking ahead, Lima emphasized the importance of moving past the Qatar result and focusing on Tuesday’s pivotal clash against hosts Kuwait. “We learned a tough lesson against Qatar and can’t afford similar mistakes against Kuwait, especially with their home support adding to the challenge,” he said. “We need to minimize errors. If we do, I’m confident we can secure a victory. Everyone in the team understands the stakes and is ready to give their all.” Reflecting on his four-goal performance against Qatar last month, Lima reiterated his manager Paulo Bento’s sentiment that no two matches are alike. “People may have expected another big win against Qatar, but every match is unique. The competition is different, and Qatar came prepared with a defensive mindset, playing to avoid a loss,” Lima explained. “Even so, we created plenty of chances but couldn’t finish them.” Lima stressed that the team must stay focused on the remaining games to achieve their ultimate goal of lifting the trophy. “We must perform well in the upcoming matches if we want to go all the way. That’s our clear objective.” Group A remains wide open, with all four teams tied on one point and an identical goal difference after the opening round. Qatar will face Oman in the early game on Tuesday at Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Stadium, while the UAE takes on Kuwait later that evening at Jaber Al Ahmed Stadium. “With all teams evenly matched, the group stage is highly competitive,” Lima concluded. “A win against Kuwait would put us in a strong position, and that’s what we’re aiming for.”
