DUBAI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The UAE Football Association announced Saturday the appointment of Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu as the head coach of the UAE national football team on a two-year contract.

According to an official statement, Olaroiu will be in charge of the UAE side for two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers -- a match against Uzbekistan on June 5, followed by a clash with Kyrgyzstan on June 10.

Olaroiu is no stranger to Emirati football, having previously coached several clubs in the UAE, including Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli, and most recently Sharjah FC, with whom he reached the final of the AFC Champions League.

The UAE currently sits third in Group A of the Asian World Cup qualifiers with 13 points, trailing Uzbekistan with 17 points and Iran, which leads the group with 20 points.

The UAE Football Association sacked former head coach Paulo Bento and his staff on March 26, just hours after the UAE's 2-1 win over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in a World Cup qualifier. Enditem

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