No room for error: Metsu

ABU DHABI // The UAE coach Bruno Metsu has warned his players not to get sucked into North Korea's defensive trap when they meet tomorrow night in their opening World Cup qualifier at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. "We saw them play a few games on DVD and they all looked similar," said Metsu. "They play a defensive strategy with one striker and nine players at the back. They will frustrate the opponents and go for the kill if you commit any mistakes.

"They have been quite successful with that ploy and I don't see why they will change. After all, they will be only too happy to go away with one point." North Korea qualified for the final round behind South Korea, winning three matches and drawing the other three including a couple of scoreless results against their neighbours. They scored just four goals in the six matches and did not concede any in a group that also included Jordan and Turkmenistan.

They played out an unimpressive goalless draw in a friendly against Uzbekistan last week but went down 2-1 to Qatar in a friendly the week before. But although Metsu said he is not prepared to take anything for granted when the teams kick off at 10.30pm. He said: "Obviously we want to play for three points but we are not going to leave any room at the back for mistakes. "We have prepared well and the players are confident. We took a lot of positives from the friendly with Bahrain and that 3-2 defeat doesn't undermine the true ability of my players.

"Bahrain, we must remember, are also in the race for a place in the World Cup finals and we learn from every game - and results like that help us to repair our mistakes." The UAE are in Group 2 alongside North Korea, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia, whom they face in their second match on Sept 10 in Abu Dhabi. Metsu said: "We are fortunate to play the first two games at home but it is more important to make full use of that opportunity to earn full points. ."

Metsu will miss the services of first-choice goalkeeper Majid Nasser, who serves a one-match ban. Ismail Rabea will take his place with Rashid Abdulrahman and Basheer Saeed marshalling the defence, and Haider Ali and Saleh Obaid on the wings. Jumaa will play the pivotal midfield role alongside Helal Saeed, Subait Khater and Mohammed Ibrahim or Ismail al Hammadi. Ismail Matar will spearhead the attack with Mohammed al Shehhi.

apassela@thenational.ae