Marcos Paqueta promises a better Al Shabab

Dubai: Coach Marcos Paqueta has promised Al Shabab can only get better after they secured a President’s Cup final place against neighbours Al Ahli at the end of this month.

Evidently riding on a high following their first ever qualification for the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League earlier in the week, Al Shabab scored two goals within five minutes to earn a 2-0 win against Al Wahda in the second semi-final at the Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Stadium in Al Ain on Monday night.

They opened the scoring through their Uzbek import Azizbek Hydarov in the 75th minute and Brazilian Edgar Bruno sealed the win with another goal five minutes later.

“I am pleased that all our hard work is being rewarded. This team is not just about this season, as we are building a side for the future,” Paqueta told media after the semi-final.

“This team has a huge potential, but my most immediate task is to finish as high as possible in the Etisalat Pro-League and go as far as possible in the AFC Champions League. And now with the final of the President’s Cup our workload is not going to get any better,” the Brazilian added.

“It has been an incredible week for Al Shabab with our progress to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League and now the President’s Cup final. But for me, it is work as usual.”

It will be an all-Dubai final on May 28 after Al Ahli secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against league champions Al Ain in an ill-tempered semi-final on Sunday. The venue for the final will be decided at a later date.

However, there will be no time to relax for Paqueta as Al Shabab host struggling Ittihad Kalba in Round 24 of the Etisalat Pro-League on Thursday.

“The players have had two very tough games and now they have to turn their attention to our next league match against Ittihad Kalba,” Paqueta said.