No pressure going into Etisalat Cup final, says Bonamigo

Dubai Despite missing out a place in the 2012 AFC Champions League knockout stage, Al Shabab coach Paulo Bonamigo feels no pressure going into the final of the Etisalat Cup against neighbours and arch-rivals Al Ahli next Monday [May 21].

“Both competitions are completely different. We have learnt so much by participating in the Asian Champions League and managed to get some unknown youngsters into responsible roles on the field during this competition. I am sure this experience will benefit these players and the team when we play in the domestic matches,” Bonamigo said.

Defending champions Al Shabab take on neighbours Al Ahli at Al Nasr’s Maktoum Stadium at 7.45pm on Monday. This will be the seventh time this season that the two teams will have played each other, but this one encounter will ensure a first piece of silverware this year for either club.

Motivation

“Trophies are an important motivation for any team,” Bonamigo said. “But what is even more important is to have the players learning all the time through the experiences they have had, be it on the pitch or off it.”

Al Shabab finished at the bottom of Group D in the AFC Champions League following their final match this week with just two points in only their second appearance in the competition.

In midweek they led by a solitary goal against Piroozi Athletic of Iran, but caved in to go down 3-1 as their visitors progressed to the round of 16.

“We may have lost, but we have learnt so many lessons. The most important one is that at this level on cannot afford to lose concentration for even a split second. You lose your concentration and you are sure to be punished. I am confident that our players have learnt from these mistakes and we can only get better,” the Brazilian said.