Axe falls on the Sharjah coach

Dubai: Gerard Van der Lim, the Sharjah coach, became the 10th victim in the managers' massacre in the UAE league after he was sacked on Saturday following poor results in recent matches.

The dismissal of the Dutchman, who led Saudi Arabia to the Gulf Cup title in Kuwait four years ago, was expected due to the dissatisfaction of the Sharjah club supporters and management.

The fans threw water bottles at him after their last defeat in the President Cup semifinals last Friday at the Al Ahli club, where they lost 4-0. Before that, they also lost two matches in the league, from Al Jazira 4-1 and at home from Al Nasr 1-0.

Van der Lim was expecting the axe after losing to Al Wasl on Friday.

"After the defeat, all people will accuse the coach and that he is responsible of the defeat. I am waiting for the sack by the board who will be looking for a scapegoat and that will be the coach," said Van der Lim following the 4-0 defeat by Al Wasl.

Sharjah board of directors decided to terminate the contract of Van der Lim following a two-hour meeting on Saturday chaired by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Abdullah Al Thani. They discussed the report submitted by team manager Abdullah Ebrahim.

The board also discussed all the mistakes made by the coach since he started with Sharjah last August. Khalid Al Midffa, the Sharjah club secretary general, said the board didn't sack him due to quick reactions.

"We took our time and discussed all reports submitted to us about the coach. we also decided to appoint Wajdy Al Said the under-18 coach to take care of the team until we sign with a new coach," said Al Midffa.

Performed poorly

Sharjah club - who have won the President Cup a record eight times and for that they were nicknamed "The Kings" - were hoping to maintain their record by defeating Al Wasl in the semifinals. However they performed poorly and lost with a heavy defeat which made supporters shout against Van der Lim and ask the board to change him.

Meanwhile, the team held their first training session at the club's stadium under new coach Wajdy Al Said. Sharjah's coming match will be on Thursday in the 14th stage of the etisalat first division league against Al Wahda in Abu Dhabi.

Sharjah are in the fifth place on the league table with 19 points, having won five matches, drawn four and lost five.

They are nine points adrift of leaders Al Shabab who have 28 points, mathematically Sharjah still have hope, but technically they are far away from the title hunt.