DUBAI // Four matches into his reign at Al Wasl, there are signs of improvement under Gabriel Calderon.
The Argentine, a replacement last month for Jorginho, has had very little time to work with his new club away from a congested Arabian Gulf League schedule, but a return of four points from a possible nine is certainly not to be sniffed at.
Remember, Wasl have integrated 14 players into the squad since a summer of significant transition, all of whom are listening to a fresh voice with a different set of ideals. A little patience is required.
Calderon, then, would not be too irked by Wednesday night’s draw with Ajman at the Zabeel Stadium, a result that swelled Wasl’s winless run in the 2014/15 Arabian Gulf Cup to two.
The competition, coming during a hiatus in the league programme prompted by this month’s Gulf Cup, provides Calderon the opportunity to home tactics and coax a collective from what, in theory, should amount to a bunch of relative strangers. Against Ajman, at least, they appeared to be finally gelling.
“I’m happy with the team,” Calderon said. “We controlled all the match. Ajman took one opportunity to score, but after we control everything. I’m pleased because after working each week I look at the team and they play better.
“I have so much confidence in this team and, if we continue in the same way, we’ll get the wins.”
Wasl’s determination to glean something from the game was admirable. On a night when sometimes they were not as technically sharp as needs be, the tenacity was there, chiefly from Fabio Lima and Caio, two of their three Brazilians in attack.
It was Lima who drew the hosts level midway through the second half, tapping home from compatriot Ederson’s low cross. It cancelled out Mansour Abbas’s powerful 6th-minute opener.
Wasl tried, and ultimately failed, to take the spoils, but Calderon had seen enough to feel optimistic for the task ahead.
“Every time we’ve had to play with conceding a penalty, or collecting a red card and then were 1-0 down today, and we come back each time,” he said. “It proves the team is strong. This is the way, and I am happy.”
REPORT CARD
Star performer
Fabio Lima (Al Wasl) Scored the equaliser, but the playmaker contributed much more. Lima knitted together Wasl’s play expertly and was always a threat.
Underperformer
Ederson (Al Wasl) Despite supplying the assist that drew Wasl level, the Brazilian wasted a number of first-half opportunities. Still looks well off pace.
Key moment
The introduction of Ahmed Al Shamisi at half time proved an inspired move by Calderon, with the former Al Ain midfielder seizing control of the centre of the park. From there, Wasl forged a way back into the encounter.
Al Wasl rating
6/10 The hosts enjoyed the majority of possession and carved open their opponents enough times to win the match. Commitment was evident throughout.
Ajman rating
5/10 Performed well enough with a weakened team, although never really threatened after they took an early lead. Will be happy with the draw.
Our verdict
While Ajman say they deserved a share of the spoils, Wasl should have come away with the win. There were positives for the hosts, though, who are making steady progress with Calderon, below, at the helm.
BANIYAS AND AL SHABAB WIN
Two first-half goals in the span of six minutes were enough for Baniyas to hang on to a 2-1 win over Emirates at the Baniyas Stadium yesterday. In an eventful half, Haboush Saleh put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute. Denis Stracqualursi added a second in the 29th minute to give his team their first win. Baniyas had goalkeeper Mohsin Al Hashimi to thank, though, given that he made three superb saves, all in the first half. Jamal Maroof raised hopes for Emirates with his 52nd-minute effort, but Hashimi stood firm. In the earlier game, Al Shabab dented Kalba’s aspirations with a 2-0 win behind goals from Edgar Bruno and Azizbek Haydarov. Shabab moved to the top of Group A.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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