AL WASL 1 BANIYAS 2
Al Wasl Caio 45'
Baniyas Verdu 29' (pen), Bandar Mohammed 84'
DUBAI // Gabriel Calderon spent the majority of his first home match at Al Wasl standing motionless, stationed on the edge of his technical area, with hands fixed on hips.
Instructions were occasionally passed to his new charges, usually a quiet word with whoever was within earshot, and he occasionally barked orders across the pitch for players to exchange positions.
For most of Thursday night's 2-1 defeat to Baniyas, he seemed perfectly content to be left alone with his thoughts.
A week into his reign as coach, he has plenty to ponder.
Football managers can be prone to bouts of isolation, and at Wasl, the sensation can be more acutely felt than at most locales: Calderon is the club’s ninth manager in two-and-a-half years.
One point from a possible six is not the finest of introductions, although much like his disposition throughout his official bow at the Zabeel Stadium, he does not appear too perturbed.
“I’d like to play well after one week and win, but it’s very important to continue our work and that the team continue the job,” Calderon said. “It’s difficult with the coach here only one week.
“I arrived to a situation that was not very good. Now, I need time to work on the physical, the tactical, the set-pieces, everything. But I’m happy that the team are training very well and I’m confident they will improve. I’d like to win, but I’m sure this team has another level.”
As Calderon lamented, the damage was done via two set-piece setbacks, the source of all four goals conceded during his short reign.
This time, Joan Verdu’s first-half penalty – Thamer Mohammed’s handball appeared to be just outside the area – and Bandar Al Ahbabi’s tap-in late on from Verdu’s spilled free-kick cost Wasl a point, which Caio’s bullet header on the stroke of half-time looked to have sealed.
Ismail Rabea, the home side’s goalkeeper, will be particularly disappointed with the winner.
Baniyas, though, departed delighted to have secured a second victory only days following their first.
As Luis Garcia, the coach, urged following last Friday’s 2-0 triumph against Al Shabab, building momentum is key.
“We deserved this result, but deserved to win by more,” he said.
“We should have scored more goals. However, we have to work and continue to work, even after achieving this result.
“I’m happy with our players’ performance, but we still want to change the mentality inside the team.
"We have more work to do to win again against Ajman at home in the next round. Winning three matches in a row is something important in this league."
Al Wasl v Baniyas report card
Star performer Joan Verdu – Baniyas midfielder was his side's chief creator, scoring a penalty and routinely testing Ismail Rabea in the Wasl goal.
Underperformer Denis Stracqualursi – Recruited by Baniyas late into the summer transfer window, the robust striker likely needs time to adapt to his new surroundings. Offered little up front.
Key moment Rabea's inability to hold onto Verdu's late free-kick allowed Bandar Al Ahbabi to pounce and tap home the winner. Six minutes from time, his poor goalkeeping ultimately undid Wasl.
Al Wasl rating 6/10 – Some wayward finishing meant they managed only the solitary goal. Seemed to run out of steam deep into the match, though.
Baniyas rating 7/10 – Luis Garcia's side just about did enough to take the points. They were technically sound, expertly led by Verdu's enterprise. They need more from Stracqualursi.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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