Mohammed Fawzi has admitted defeat to Sharjah could serve as a wake-up call for champions Al Ain as they head into the Abu Dhabi Clasico with Al Wahda on Friday.
Maicosuel’s stylish late winner inflicted the Boss’ first loss in the Arabian Gulf League since they were beaten by their imminent opponents more than four months ago.
UAE right-back Fawzi feels suffering just a second defeat of the season last week was nothing more than a “blip”, but claims it can focus the club’s attention and help players realise retaining their crown will not be plain sailing.
“We don’t worry because we are Al Ain,” said the 25-year-old.
“The league is still in our hands. We work hard to get that and Inshallah it will be a good season for us.”
Fawzi reveals that the loss could even prove to be a good thing.
“Maybe it’s good, yeah, it’s a wake-up call, because the league is difficult to win and nothing is easy,” he added.
“Sharjah were very good and we were too, but perhaps not that lucky.
“We are sad to lose three points, sure, but it’s hard to predict who will win the league because Al Ahli also got into trouble with Al Dhafra (they drew 2-2).”
Al Ain suffered a 2-1 reversal at Al Nahyan Stadium in September and had since gone on an 11-match unbeaten run in the league, including seven-straight wins. Fawzi is expecting a reaction at their Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
He said: “I hope we can fix our mistakes for the Al Wahda match because we know it’s a derby. It’s a big game but Inshallah, we will see a different Al Ain performance.”
Meanwhile, Wahda hot shot Sebastian Tagliabue is confident his team-mates can still supply him with the chances to sink the Boss despite celebrated playmaker Jorge Valdivia’s suspension.
Valdivia, 32, is set to sit out Friday’s second-consecutive derby after he picked up his sixth yellow card of the season in last weekend’s 2-1 win against Al Jazira.
The Chile star’s ban means he misses out on a return to the club he represented with distinction from 2008-10.
Only one of fellow South American Tagliabue’s 15 top-flight strikes have been supplied by Valdivia and the top-flight’s leading marksman was sure Asian-chasing Wahda can cope in his absence.
He said: “Valdivia is an amazing player.
“I always say it is easier for me to play with him.
“I have chance to move and he will find the place to put the ball for me.
“He is a national team player and I like it a lot.
“But all the team are playing better than before, I get a lot of chan-ces. I try to continue and the team will try to continue, then we will see how we can finish the season.”
