Al Shabab coach Fred Rutten has staunchly defended Dutch striker Ruud Boymans who has been singled out for criticism from some Hawks supporters despite netting three goals in seven appearances since a summer switch from Eredivisie side Utrecht.
Some sections have claimed that the 27-year-old could even be replaced before the October 20 transfer deadline, but former PSV and Feyenoord boss Rutten has backed his compatriot.
“Ruud needs some time to reach harmony with his new team-mates and to provide the levels that I know about him,” said Rutten in the wake of perceived poor finishing in the 2-2 Arabian Gulf Cup draw with Al Ain on Monday.
“He is the top scorer, very special, and my confidence in his abilities have not been shaken for a moment, and he will remain one of the important elements in the squad.”
The Hawks entertain struggling Bani Yas when the Arabian Gulf League resumes tomorrow and visiting boss Pablo Repetto is not too concerned with his side only picking up two points from six games in all competitions so far.
“I hope to win because we have played very well in the last three or four matches but we didn’t win,” said the Uruguayan.
“I am just worried about the easy chances my players are missing. I don’t worry about winning or losing. The players are not finishing the chances, they are getting plenty, so when they start scoring them we will win, I am not worried about this.
“We will forget about the previous matches because we have a difficult game with Shabab now and very important. Too many teams now have five or six points and we only have one, which is not good. We want to change this.”
The Sky Blues this week completed its four player foreign quota with the acquisition of Colombian midfielder Daniel Hernandez. The 25-year-old has been signed from 2004 Copa Libertadores champions Once Caldas in his homeland, having scored six goals in 30 games during 2016.
Friday’s big game is the Bur Dubai derby as Al Wasl welcome rivals Al Nasr to Zabeel Stadium. Elsewhere, the league’s two new boys meet as Ittihad Kalba travel to Hatta.
Yo-yo club Kalba announced the signing of Mali and former West Ham striker Modibo Maiga earlier this week, while the Tornado could hand a debut to Brazilian former LA Galaxy loanee Samuel Rosa Goncalves who has replaced Burkina Faso international Issiaka Ouedraogo in their four-man foreign contingent.
