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Cerezo sees puzzle falling into place
Al Shabab's first win after four matches saw defending champions jump into seventh place
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:53 December 6, 2008
- Godwin Atram (left) of Al Shaab in action against Al Khaleej during their league clash at Khalid Bin Mohammad Stadium in Sharjah yesterday.
- Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman/Gulf News
Dubai: Al Shabab coach Toninho Cerezo finally sees the jig-saw puzzle fall in place as the defending champions put their campaign back on trail with a 2-1 win at home against Al Wahda.
"This is the same team that won the league last year. And now with this win, I can see the return of our confidence and the small things that we have been neglecting so far have started falling in place," Cerezo told media at the post-match press conference late on Friday.
Al Shabab battled against a superior Al Wahda to a 2-1 win in an eighth week match of the UAE Football League late on Friday.
The three points - Al Shabab's first win after four matches - saw the defending champions jump into seventh place in the standings with ten points.
Except for the 1-1 draw against Al Khaleej, Al Shabab lost to Ajman (1-0), Al Nasr (3-1) and Al Ain (2-0). "This is the first step for us. We have a lot of positives to draw from this win and we hope to carry on this to the next games," Cerezo promised.
On paper and on the field, Al Wahda looked a more compact side as they mounted early attacks on the home goal. But the Al Shabab defence managed to withstand the early fury.
Disaster struck in the 15th minute when defender Essam Dahi had to be stretchered off with a bloody eye after clashing with teammate Marcos Assuncao.
Lucky charm
Eisa Mohammad came in as the substitute and he proved to be the lucky charm for Al Shabab as he rose high above the Al Wahda defence to head in for the first goal on the 23rd minute.
However, Esmail Mattar curled in a dainty header in the 35th minute to restore parity.
Al Shabab took the lead for a second time two minutes from the hour, when Surour Salem guided the ball into an empty net following a deflection from Al Wahda goalkeeper Ali Rabea.
The visitors pressed for an equaliser, but with resolve and grit the Al Shabab players held on to snatch three valuable points.
"We played one of our best games this season, but we did not have the luck," conceded Ahmad Abdul Haleem, the Al Wahda coach.
"This is the third time that we have been unlucky with the referee. Al Wahda didn't deserve to lose, though we were unlucky," lamented Abdullah Saleh, the Al Wahda manager.
"We have the three points and that is important for us as it will give our players a new high and confidence. The spirit of the team is back and we can look forward to a lot more concentration in the games to come," Cerezo added.
Al Shabab will travel to Al Wasl for their next encounter on December 13.
Results
Al Nasr 1 Ajman 1
Al Ahli 1 Sharjah 0
Al Dhafrah 6 Al Wasl 2
Al Shabab 2 Al Wahda 1
Al Shaab 0 Al Khaleej 2
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