Zenga happy with second string in league finale

Abu Dhabi: A solitary goal from Sultan Bargash ensured Walter Zenga’s Al Jazira a top-three finish in the Arabian Gulf League and a place in 2015 Asian Champions League (ACL) after defeating Sharjah at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.

They were tied with Al Wahda on second spot on the league table with 45 points but the latter had a match in hand against Al Shaab on Sunday. Al Jazira, however, have the head-to-head advantage over Al Wahda with a win and a draw.

With Tuesday night’s AFC Champions League game against Al Ain round the corner, Zenga chose to field a second-string team but they still managed to get across the line.

“I had trust in the entire squad and providing them the opportunity to play the last game was my intention from the outset,” said Zenga. “I am glad they achieved the desired result.

“There were a lot of young players and some of those who were returning after recovering from long injuries. This augurs well for the club for next season.

“My instructions to them before the match were very simple. I told them not to get scared, but just go out there and play your own game and that’s what they did tonight.”

For a newly promoted club this season, Sharjah and their coach Paulo Bonamigo had a good reason — finishing in the seventh spot on the leaderboard with 40 points. they came close to scoring several times but were unable to find a way past an alert Khalid Al Senaani, who was simply exceptional under the bar.

Against the run of play, Bargash found the goal through the legs of Sharjah keeper Mohammad Yousuf with a shot from 12 yards but not before playing a give-and-take with Hassan Ameen.

“We created several scoring chances, but couldn’t score,” said Bonamigo. “I can only congratulate Al Jazira for the win, as they managed to score first on a counter attack and defended the lead until the end.

“We started the season well, but couldn’t finish it off well. We played for the top-four positions for almost three-quarters of the league and finished seventh, although we were not too far from the second team in the table.”

The showing this season will definitely help build a strong team for next season, said the Brazilian.

“Obviously, our objectives will be to plan for the next season and this is something we have to deal with with the management of the club,” he said.