Al Wahda's head coach Josef Hickersberger is stepping down at the end of the season. Mike Young / The National
Al Wahda's head coach Josef Hickersberger is stepping down at the end of the season. Mike Young / The National

Derby win would be Hickersberger's parting gift to Al Wahda



ABU DHABI // Josef Hickersberger plans to give the Al Wahda fans the best possible leaving present tonight.

His side play city rivals Al Jazira tomorrow in what will be the Austrian coach's last home game in charge.

The Abu Dhabi derby will also be the last time the four foreign players - the Brazilian trio Fernando Baiano, Magrao and Hugo, and Mohammed Shaibah, the Oman international - appear in a Wahda shirt at the Al Nahyan stadium as the club have decided not to renew their contracts.

"All the players have made themselves available and they want to give us the best possible best parting gift," Hickersberger said.

"This may be my last home game, as it is for Baiano, Magrao, Hugo and Shaibah."

Hickersberger led Wahda to the Pro League title in 2010 which gave them qualification for the Club World Cup played in the capital the same year.

However, he has not been able to repeat that success - the season-opening Super Cup has been their only trophy since - and is being replaced by Branko Ivankovic, the former coach of Iran and the Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq, in the summer.

Wahda are in fifth in the Pro League with two games to play, having finished fourth last season.

Wahda meet Al Wasl in the quarter final of the Gulf Club Championship at the Zabeel Stadium on May 15 before the final league game against the relegating-threatened Emirates in Ras Al Khaimah on May 27.

Caio Junior, the Jazira coach, sees the derby as a chance to regain some lost pride after their 5-1 home defeat to Al Nasr last week.

"The result of the last game doesn't relate the actual story," said the Brazilian, who has led Jazira to a President's Cup triumph and to the top of their Group in the Asian Champions League.

"I am still sorry about the result against Nasr.

"We were the technically superior team and created more scoring chances but at the end, only the number of goals scored that mattered.

"However, we will play to win the two remaining games and try to finish second in the league."

Caio Junior, who has eight wins and four defeats in three different competitions, has achieved the club's main objectives of winning the President's Cup and qualifying for the last 16 in the ACL since he took charge two months ago.

"The situation at the club is very positive because we have achieved all the targets set in front of us," he said.

The next challenge for Caio Junior is in the quarter finals in the ACL when they meet either Sepahan of Iran or Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in the round of 16 on May 22. "That's the next biggest game for us," he said. "We still have time and a good result against Wahda and then Al Rayyan in the ACL next week can do a lot for our confidence.

"For now, we are focused on our next game with Wahda. It is a clasico as we call it in Brazil. We will have the best line-up and are looking forward to an entertaining match."

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press

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Q&A with Dash Berlin

Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.

You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.

You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.

Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.