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Al Shabab striker slips in form
Al Shabab clawed their way to a 2-2 draw against visiting Al Shaab, and the week before that they played out to a similar scoreline away to Al Wahda.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:35 April 26, 2008
Dubai: Al Shabab's Iranian striker Jawad Kazemian is hoping that his club does not pay dearly for their recent slip in form in the etisalat UAE National Football League.
With the last four matches to go, Al Shabab are sitting at the top of the standings with 34 points. But Al Jazira (32), Sharjah (32) and Al Ahli (29) with an extra game in hand are in chase of the leaders. "We have faltered during the last two matches," the Iranian told Gulf News.
"I cannot give you the reasons for this slip-up," Kazemian stated.
Opportunities
Last week, Al Shabab clawed their way to a 2-2 draw against visiting Al Shaab, and the week before that they played out to a similar scoreline away to Al Wahda.
Those four lost points could have given Al Shabab an unassailable lead with a tally of 38 points and with it, a more realistic vision of the league title. "I really don't know what happened to us. We had a 15-day break and we returned with so much more energy, but somehow the break seemed to have done more harm than good for us," the Iranian stated.
One of the flaws, the professional noted, is the unwillingness of the Al Shabab strikers to make that one last pass before a goal. "We are too keen to float the ball around and then there is no one to really make use of the opportunities that come our way," the striker lamented.
Brazilian coach Toninho Cerezo has preferred to use Kazemian, a naturally gifted striker of the ball, in a more defensive midfielder role. "I am not comfortable with this role at all, and I have told the coach this so many times," Kazemian stated.
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