Al Wasl have to cut out their ruinous individual mistakes if they are to stay alive in the 2018 AFC Champions League, according to coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
The Cheetahs ended a decade away from Asia’s top table last week in painful fashion, defensive disasters late on against Xavi’s Al Sadd seeing them fall to a 2-1 defeat in Group C.
Their quest continues in chilly Uzbekistan – in the absence of injured star forward Fabio De Lima – on Tuesday when they run-out against Nasaf, who were thrashed 3-0 at Persian Gulf Pro League-holders Persepolis.
“We have a difficult encounter against a strong opponent in the second round of the group stage, especially after the opening loss,” said Arruabarrena.
“The loss in the first game was because of some individual mistakes and we have tried to deal with these mistakes.”
Wasl did not wallow for long. They edged a feisty Bur Dubai-derby against Al Nasr on Friday to make the Arabian Gulf Cup’s semis.
“Winning the derby has given us a strong morale boost,” said Australian midfielder Anthony Caceres.
