Dubai: Al Wasl coach Gabriel Calderon says Friday’s Arabian Gulf League game away to Al Wahda is their last chance of securing an Asian Champions League spot next season.
The Cheetahs, who haven’t won in four games, are in a three-way battle for third with Al Nasr and Al Wahda, with three games remaining.
After drawing 1-1 at home to third-from-bottom Sharjah last Saturday, Calderon’s side enabled Al Nasr, who beat Bani Yas 5-2 at home last Friday, to overtake them for third - the last automatic qualification spot for Asia.
Al Wasl also failed to put more distance between themselves and fifth-placed Al Wahda, who lost 2-1 away to Al Dhafra last Saturday, meaning the Clarets could now overtake them for fourth, earning a play-off place for Asia in the process. Calderon now says unless they beat Al Wahda on Friday, before Al Nasr host league leaders Al Ahli on Sunday, they can wave goodbye to their dreams of playing Asian football next season. Especially as Al Ahli will be Al Nasr’s sternest test before the end of the season.
“Results of other teams were in our favour but unfortunately we didn’t help ourselves,” said the Argentine. “The Al Wahda match is now our last chance to finish third and we must take responsibility and understand how important it is to have the mentality to win.
“Our problem is that some of the players lack the permanent desire to achieve continuous victories. I’m working hard to maintain a high level but so far we see a contrast between matches.
“The players don’t lack intelligence, skill or technical ability but what they need is the mentality to win.
“Everybody knows that there’s much more opportunity ahead of us but despite absences in defence I have confidence that they will take responsibility, especially as we face a good side in Al Wahda who have players that can make a difference. We will need everyone to be on their best level to get a result.”
Elsewhere, the championship and relegation could both be decided this weekend if league leaders Al Ahli, who are six points clear of second-placed Al Ain, beat Al Nasr, and Al Ain don’t beat already relegated Al Shaab at home on Sunday.
Second-from-bottom Fujairah will also be relegated if they lose away to Al Jazira on Sunday and third-from-bottom Al Sharjah get a result away to Bani Yas.
