Tenorio vows to stay on and help Al Nasr gun for glory

Dubai : Although yet to continue his trophy winning ways in the UAE, Ecuadorian striker Carlos Tenorio, 31, is a shining example of how foreign players can give something back to the GCC leagues.

The double World Cup attendee (2002, 2006) won three league and six cup titles in Qatar with Al Sadd Club, where he spent five years (2004-09) and notched a Qatari league record of 105 goals, ten of which came in one game.

But similar form hasn't followed him down Deira Creek to Al Nasr Club, as yet, and despite several offers from English clubs to flee the region he's staying to honour his contract and re-correct his curriculum vitae.

"At all my clubs I have won something, I don't want to leave the UAE without winning something with Al Nasr," said the out-and-out forward, who most famously stopped the heart of a nation when he hit the post against England at World Cup 2006.

"When I put something in my mind I must do it. I want to be a champion here," Tenorio added.

"We will prepare to win. We can't really say we will lift the cup, we must prove that on the field. But it's our responsibility; the club hasn't won a league title in 24 years."

Candid admission

It will be no easy feat, the former LDU Quito and Al Nassr Saudi forward admitted.

"Twenty years ago there were big teams and small teams in this league. But now every team has 90 minutes face-to-face. We can't say we will win, but we will fight," he said.

Last season Tenorio came to the UAE carrying a serious knee injury, hence just the 18 goals, which put him joint second with Fernando Baiano in the league's top scorers' list.

But now Tenorio promises he's back to the form that saw him top the scoring charts in both Qatar (2006) and Saudi Arabia (2003).

"I'm feeling myself again, the same to how I felt two or three years ago. I can play 90 minutes three times a day no problem," Tenorio said.

And that's welcome news to coach Helios dos Anjos who's just signed on Brazilian playmaker Leo Lima, who will supply Tenorio with yet more goals.