Bani Yas coach Luis Garcia was grateful to his goalkeeper Mohsin Al Hashmi who was called upon to make a string of fines saves as the hosts won their first Arabian Gulf Cup match of the season.
The Spaniard could be forgiven for looking up and thanking his lucky stars after the Sky Blues edged out Emirates 2-1 at Bani Yas Stadium yesterday (Wednesday).
Haboush Saleh claimed the hosts’ first with striker Denis Stracqualursi nodding the second before a Masoud Souliman own goal made for a nervy final 40 minutes.
Garcia said: “I am so happy as we have had difficulties with players injured and one away with the national team. We are starting to build self confidence.
“I am satisfied because we had eight players out, so it was a good result.” His side’s last loss was their first match in the Cup, a 1-0 defeat against Sharjah, and Garcia said he has no aims for the tournament. “We just want to win our next match.”
Despite letting Emirates back into the game after taking a 2-0 lead, Garcia chose to dwell on the positives.
“The first half was not a good performance, but we scored and in football you need to score goals or you won’t win.” Emirates head coach Paulo Comelli felt his side didn’t receive justice.
“I am so sad for the result but so happy for my players. “The first half performance was good but we were unable to score.
The Bani Yas goalkeeper saved three goals. We could not score; we need to train the strikers how to score.”
