Al Shaab say they struggle against big spenders

Dubai: Al Shaab coach Luka Peruzovic has said his side cannot be expected to beat the big spending sides after losing 2-0 to defending champion Al Shabab in their opening UFL match.

Much had been expected from Al Shaab after they signed three foreign players in Sierra Leone's Mohammad Kallon, Ghanaian Godwin Attram and Moroccan Merouane Zemmama.

But Al Shabab scored once in each half through Walid Abbas and skipper Salem Sa'ad to snatch full points in their opening match late on Saturday.

Peruzovic defended his players, saying they had performed well.

He said: "How can we compare our team to the big spending ones like Al Shabab?

"We need to be realistic. We played the defending league champions and I think we did well."

Peruzovic seems to have tighten his side's defence but Attram and Kallon looked isolated upfront.

As the game went on, the pair were increasingly dropping deeper to try and pick up the ball.

Red card

And the Al Shaab strikers failed to take advantage of the opportunities they created following the red card to Assuncao.

"Our players did show a lot of energy, but then we have to remember that this is Al Shabab," said Peruzovic.

"We can't compare ourselves to the big teams, who have enough money to spend.

"The result may be against us, but we need time to integrate.

"Kallon has been with us for just ten days now. He did the maximum he could, he only needs time," added Peruzovic.