Mirror, mirror! UAE coach Metsu likes what he sees

HANOI, July 12 (Reuters) Asian Cup glamour coach Bruno Metsu has no problems looking at himself in the mirror -- and he likes what he sees.

The Frenchman, a dead ringer for soft rock crooner Michael Bolton with his wavy hair and suave manner, today shrugged off suggestions he was under pressure as coach of UAE.

The Emirates take on holders Japan tomorrow in a must-win game following their surprise 2-0 defeat by co-hosts Vietnam in their Group B opener.

But Metsu was cool as a cucumber.

''I believe in me. I trust in me,'' a smiling Metsu told Reuters, as if rattling off a old Bolton classic.

''For me confidence is no problem. I can still look in the mirror and it's not a problem for me!'' The knives were being sharpened for both Metsu and Japan coach Ivica Osim, following his side's 1-1 draw with Qatar in their opening match.

Yet Metsu, who famously guided Senegal to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, insisted he was still the man for the UAE job.

''We have five regular players injured,'' he said. ''It's a young team and this tournament is a good first step. Our team has a very good future.

''I'm not worried about the result, more the performance.

The press have a job to do. When you win you're a great team and when you lose you're bad.'' Metsu added: ''If everybody is happy I'm okay. If not I will make my job (elsewhere) and make my bed.'' REUTERS BJR RN1501