Dubai: Al Wasl coach Diego Maradona was left crediting the surprise appearance of his son-in-law, Sergio Aguero, for his side's GCC Champions League quarter-final shootout win over Al Wahda on Tuesday night.
Less than two days after scoring Manchester City's epic last-gasp title winning goal, the heroic Argentine arrived at Zabeel Stadium unannounced an hour into the game with Diego's daughter Giannina and grandson Benjamin in tow.
Tied one apiece at the end of extra time, the match had to be decided on penalties. But after Al Wahda's Eisa Ahmad skied the visitor's second and Al Wasl's players all converted, a relieved Maradona called Aguero and Benjamin onto the pitch to join in with the surreal celebrations.
Maradona, who has been complaining of homesickness in recent weeks, said: "It's great to have them here and it's great to see Benjamin. I spent some time on the pitch with him after the game and he managed to score two goals past me.
"Just as I am happy when Manchester City and Sergio Aguero win, they too are happy when it's Maradona and Al Wasl who are victorious. Sergio met all the players after the game in the changing room and he congratulated them all. His presence was really something special."
It's believed Maradona's family will stay with him and partner Veronica Ojeda in Dubai until Saturday, before they fly on to Buenos Aires for rest and recuperation after a gruelling season that saw City trump Manchester United only on goal-difference with 86 points apiece after 38 games.
‘Kun' Aguero, as he's better known, netted 23 goals after joining from Atletico Madrid last July for £38 million (Dh224.1 million) in one of the tightest finishes of an English Premier League season ever.
Saving his most important strike to the 52nd second of the 94th minute of the last game of the season, Aguero helped City lift their first league title in 44 years.
Maradona had earlier said of Aguero's championship winning antics: "Aguero has proved again he is a world-class player and it takes a true champion to score a winner like that in the last minute of injury time in the last game of the season."
Much-needed reprieve
As for Maradona's first season at Al Wasl, eighth in the league and out of all domestic cup competitions, progression to the GCC Champions League semi-final signals some much needed reprieve.
But Maradona said of his team's chances: "Our best performances have been in the GCC Champions League but unfortunately it wasn't the priority. So we're not so ecstatic about this result. We'll fight on in the Cup to do our best while trying to build a strong team for next season."
