Bert Van Marwijk attends a press conference.

The UAE Football Association board members have decided to terminate the services of the national team head coach Bert Van Marwijk, and extended their gratitude to the Coach and his team of assistants for the period served with the National Team.

The new head coach will be announced in the upcoming days, the UAE Football Association said.

The sacking comes after UAE lost to Qatar in the Gulf Cup qualifying stages.

“We lost to a strong team, the Asian champions, who have been playing together for many years, unlike the UAE,” the Dutch coach said after the match.

He added, “We have five injured players, although we have controlled some parts of the match. The goalkeeper deserved the red card in the penalty that was awarded to the UAE. I do not know why the referee did not raise it. I do not know why.”