Sport | Football
Al Sharjah coach savours crucial points
The Sharjah Club coach Yousuf Al Zawawi is savouring the euphoria of heading into the long break with a jump from ninth to fifth place in the UAE Football League (UFL) standings.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:40 December 20, 2008
- Saeed Tarish (red) and Abdullah Suhail in action in the Al Shaab versus Al Sharjah thriller which Sharjah narrowly won.
- Image Credit: Francois Nel/Gulf News
Sharjah: The Sharjah Club coach Yousuf Al Zawawi is savouring the euphoria of heading into the long break with a jump from ninth to fifth place in the UAE Football League (UFL) standings.
"This is a much better feeling going into the break in fifth position rather than the ninth place we were occupying last week," Al Zawawi told media after his team's narrow 1–0 win against Al Shaab in the "Sharjah derby" on Friday night.
"We are pleased with the win, but we are even more happy with the three points that help us jump into fifth place," he added.
In Friday's derby, Sharjah scored early and then retreated to successfully defend their lead against a determined Al Shaab. "We went into the game knowing fully well what the three points would do for us, and the plan worked," stated the Tunisian coach.
Sharjah made maximum use of the home ground advantage as they parried away the early onslaught from a better–looking Al Shaab attack led by Mohammad Kallon.
They took the lead in the ninth minute off a counter–attack that saw a lethal left–footed try from Nawaf Mubarak bulge the net past a diving Ramadan Mallalah on the Al Shaab goal.
"We would have loved to add another goal, but that simply did not come," Al Zawawi relented.
But that was because Al Shaab regrouped well in the second half and continued tormenting the home team defence. The only thing missing was a goal for the visitors and coach Ayman Al Rammadi was left ruing the missed chances.
"Our players tried everything… they created the chances, but failed to score," Al Rammadi stated.
"We had a better second half and at least two sure chances on goal and we should have got those for the three points. But I think at the end of the day we did not have the luck either," added the Egyptian coach.
Friday night's result leaves Al Shaab in the relegation zone along with bottom placed Al Khaleej with an identical seven points.
"If you ask me to look at the positives, then I am happy with the determination we played. I am sad about the result, but we cannot get the points if we cannot score the goals," noted the Al Shaab coach.
"It is time now to regroup and continue our preparation for the remainder of the season with the hope that the results will follow," Al Rammadi added.
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