Paulo Bento focused on World Cup, not own future, after UAE's Asian Cup exit

UAE manager Paulo Bento would not be drawn on his future with the national team following Sunday’s Asian Cup exit to Tajikistan, saying the next focus is the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March.

The UAE, semi-finalists in the past two editions of the continental competition, were beaten by the tournament debutants on penalties in the last 16, after the match at Khalifa International Stadium finished 1-1.

A goal down from 31 minutes, Khalifa Al Hammadi equalised for Bento’s side in the fifth minute of injury time. However, Caio Canedo’s spot-kick in the shootout was saved by Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov, and the Central Asians went on to prevail 5-3 to go through to Friday’s quarter-final.

Asked afterward if he was confident he would remain as UAE manager, Bento said: “When you lose usually comes that question – it is normal. My last concern is the confidence … I try to make the best, so the idea is to prepare the next two games for the qualifiers and try to keep our best in the qualifying phase. The rest is something that doesn’t concern me at this moment.”

Appointed last July, Bento guided the UAE to victories in their opening two World Cup qualifiers in November. The national team, attempting to reach only a second global finals in their history, resume their second-round campaign in March, with the Group H double-header against Yemen.

On Sunday’s defeat, Bento said his side had failed to control the match after losing key midfielder Abdullah Ramadan on 15 minutes to injury. The Portuguese said mistakes cost his side, especially in the second half, which allowed Tajikistan to create several chances to double their advantage.

"I said it would be a balanced game and that's what happened,” Bento said. “Sometimes we