Coach hails Al Shaab promotion

Dubai: Al Shaab coach Sergio Alexander hailed the spirit of his side as they sealed one of two places on offer in the 2012-13 Etisalat Pro League from the play-off competition.

“This has been a long road and I am proud of what my players have achieved by earning a place in the Pro League,” Alexander said at the post-match conference after his team beat Al Dhafrah 3-2 in Al Ain late on Friday.

Reduced to ten men after Rodrigo Silva was given his marching orders in the 20th minute, Al Shaab maintained their poise as Vergilio scored three minutes from the end to hand Al Shaab a ticket back to the UAE’s top-flight football after a three-year absence.

“What stands out tonight is the character of my players. We were down and out after our player was sent off. But we just clung on and every player gave his best on the ground,” Alexander said.

The Commandos from Sharjah went clear on Silva’s third-minute strike and Vergilio made it 2-0 in the 17th.

However, with Silva sent off for a second bookable offence by referee Mohammad Abdullah Hassan, coach Alexander was forced to defend.

His players did well to deny Al Dhafrah until two goals within seven minutes brought the teams back on level terms.

However, Vergilio had the final say as he caught the Al Dhafrah defence napping for a second time on the night to score the decisive goal.