Dubai: A visit from former World Cup star and Al Nasr coach Walter Zenga was enough for Lega Pro Italy to secure a hard-fought 3-2 win against Al Jahraa of Kuwait in Group A of the 2nd Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Under-19 Football Championships here late on Monday.
Zenga took time off after Al Nasr's daily training session and visited the junior side. That proved to be motivation enough for the Italian champions as they struck a match-winner late into second half against the Kuwaiti side to keep their record intact in this ten-day competition being organized by the Dubai Sports Council.
This was the third straight win for the Italians in as many matches as they lead Group A standings with nine points. In the second Group A match of the night, Al Shabab stunned Al Nasr 3-1 to record their first win of this competition.
In Group B, Al Wasl laboured their way to a second draw in as many matches - this time holding on for a 1-1 result against Hatta Club to take their tally to five points with a win and two draws.
But showing promise was Birmingham FC from England as they thumped RC Lens of France 4-2 to keep alive their hopes for a semi-final spot from Group B.
The penultimate round of preliminary group matches will resume on Wednesday following Tuesday's rest day for the teams. The semi-finals will be on April 14 followed by the final on Saturday.
The championships is being organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the directives of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman, Dubai Sports Council.
