Dubai: Al Wasl coach Jorginho was given a double-boost this weekend, first finalising the transfer of Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana from Al Ahli then getting his first win in charge at home to Ittihad Kalba.
The 1994 Fifa World Cup winning Brazilian now hopes to reverse Al Wasl’s fortunes using these two positives as a platform.
“The victory takes us out of the relegation zone,” said Jorginho, after Caio Correa’s seventh minute overhead kick gave Al Wasl a narrow 1-0 win at home to Kalba on Sunday. “Even though the game was against the bottom of table team it was important to win.”
Al Wasl had been second from bottom coming into this game having taken just two points from the first four matches.
“Motivation is now growing and we have brought quality into the team with the likes of Hugo Viana, so we expect to improve in the coming games,” he added.
Former Portugal and Newcastle United centre Viana replaced Brazilian striker Neto Berola at the Zabeel Stadium outfit, but the 31-year-old wasn’t able to feature in the 1-0 win due to delayed paperwork.
“Hugo is very experienced, he has lots of seasons in Europe, and language-wise [with Portuguese] he will fit in well [with the Brazilians] here. He can play in several positions in midfield, front to back and as a playmaker, and besides his quality he has great leadership skills and a strong character.”
Of their next game away to Al Shabab in the first round of the League Cup on Thursday, Jorginho added: “Al Shabab are a very strong and consistent side, we have already seen their matches and we know it will be hard, but we expect to improve with Hugo and the growing quality of the team.”
Other transfer deadline day deals included Chilean striker Carlos Munoz, who joined Al Ahli from Bani Yas to replace injured Brazilian striker Ciel.
Al Dhafra brought in Iraqi striker Humam Tariq from Al Ahli and Moroccan midfielder Yousuf Kaddoiu from Emirates to replace Brazilian and Argentinian forwards Paulinho and Matias Defederico. And Sharjah replaced injured Brazilian striker Luan de Louza with compatriot striker Rodriguinho from Corinthians.
