Despite a tough 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup final, UAE head coach Zlatko Dalic remained professional and reflective. Playing at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the UAE struggled early on against a motivated Saudi squad backed by a roaring home crowd. While the visitors managed to stabilize their midfield and even forced a VAR-reviewed penalty decision in the first half, Dalic admitted that early defensive lapses and individual errors ultimately cost his team the championship. He offered his congratulations to the hosts, acknowledging that they played a more disciplined game and were worthy winners on the night.

Looking at the broader picture, Dalic expressed genuine pride in his team's tournament run, which included commanding victories over Yemen and Bahrain and a hard-fought semifinal win against Oman. With standout performances from players like Ousmane Camara, Nicolás Giménez, and Ali Saleh, the coach feels the foundation is strong for the future. As the team pivots toward the 2027 Asian Cup and the high-stakes 2030 World Cup qualification campaign, Dalic plans to use this experience as a stepping stone to refine his squad and continue the development of UAE football.