Abu Dhabi: A bumper crowd on Friday for a match against Real Madrid legends is evidence that Bani Yas are growing, according to coach Luis Garcia.
The often sparse stands for Arabian Gulf League games were far fuller for the Martyr Cup clash, which was won 8-1 by Real against former Bani Yas players, in a match held to commemorate the UAE’s fallen soldiers and the 44th UAE National Day.
Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed, Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister, was one of several thousand people present to watch past Real masters such as Roberto Carlos and Michel Salgado do battle with the former France striker David Trezeguet, who had a short spell at Bani Yas.
“It was very good for the club,” Garcia told media afterwards. “It was important for us that the stadium was full.
“I think it’s very important that the club is growing and doing well. I am very happy.”
Bani Yas were sixth in the Arabian Gulf League before Saturday’s matches, but have lost their last two matches.
Their legends were overrun in Friday’s exhibition by Real’s veteran galacticos, however.
The Spaniards took the lead on nine minutes when Javi Guerrero tapped in from several yards out and the lead was doubled on the half-hour by Fernando Moran with a close-range header.
However, the home fans finally had something to cheer five minutes after the break when their former winger, Christian Wilhelmsson, ran on to a through ball and expertly chipped in.
The Spanish giants made it 3-1 through David Aganzo and then the former Spain captain Fernando Hierro strolled through the hosts’ defence on the hour mark to pass the ball into the net to make it 4-1.
A minute later, Aganzo netted his second goal to increase the rout further following a delightful dribble and cross by Roberto Carlos, who sadly had no opportunity to exhibit his free-kick prowess.
It was then the turn of Alex Perez to tap in from almost on the goal line to make it 6-1, before his second goal of the game and an own goal completed the scoring.
