One day in my press conference I used the word ‘crazy’ to describe things here, and I had a lot of problems. Now I tell you something: this Arabian Gulf League season is crazy.
Leaders Al Wahda followed up their draw at Al Wasl with another against Ajman, this time it was 3-3. Champions Al Ahli cannot win games away and have not produced great performances like last season. It is never easy to play in Al Dhafra, and they needed a 97th-minute equaliser from Luis Jimenez to draw 2-2.
Last season, they played with Hugo Viana and Majed Hassan in front of the defence, but Viana has gone to Wasl and Hassan only made his first appearance of the season at Dhafra because of injury. Something different is happening there, and do not forget they lost a very important player in Ciel to a fractured ankle.
Bani Yas won 2-1 at Wasl. With two victories in a row, Bani Yas appear to be headed in the right direction, while Wasl have a lot to work on with a new coach.
Viana can’t play at the moment because of the transfer registration problems, but one player cannot solve their issues. The only player who could do that is Diego Maradona and he doesn’t play anymore.
The final result came from one big mistake from the referee for Bani Yas’ penalty, which was converted by Joan Verdu to open the scoring.
Sometimes, you get very complicated movements and it is hard for a referee and his linesmen to make the call. Fine.
But when we talk about the late equaliser for Ahli and the Bani Yas penalty, they are technical mistakes. Grafite was clearly in front of the goalkeeper when Jimenez shot.
As a coach you cannot say anything. You have to accept and hope in the future these type of things become balanced for your team.
It was a good evening for Al Jazira as they beat Al Nasr 3-2. The correct result though was a draw, as Nasr created great moments to score, especially through Renan Garcia. They come away defeated but not as losers as they showed they can make a good season.
Jazira showed they have good offensive players. Ali Mabkhout scored two, and in my opinion is one of the best attacking players in the UAE.
He was one of the most important players in my Jazira squad. I am happy for him, as it shows the hard work we did with him is getting results.
I see him, Ahli’s Habib Fardan and Al Ain’s Omar Abdulrahman as all being able to play in Europe. This is my opinion.
I would like to see them playing over there. It is my dream, as they have the quality to play outside.
When I was at Nasr with Fardan, everyone used to joke with me that he was my son. My respect for Fardan is very high.
