ABU DHABi // Josef Hickersberger is 61, but experience is no remedy for homesickness. He celebrated the arrival of his fifth grandchild last month and on returning to Abu Dhabi, admitted to badly missing his family. But now the Austrian manager has banished those blues and is focused on leading Al Wahda to some silverware this season.
"We celebrated the new addition in the family on June 10 and it was with a heavy heart I left this time. It takes a few days and then it's back to work as usual," said Hickersberger.
Hickersberger believes he has a stronger squad than last season after the club signed the Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano, the top scorer in the UAE game's first professional season, on a new three-year contract, and goalkeeper Mutaz Abdulla, who arrives from Al Ain on a two-year deal.
"We have a much stronger squad with the addition of Baiano and Mutaz," admitted the Austrian, who had the rare honour of playing in the 1978 World Cup finals as a player and leading his country in the 1990 event as coach.
"We finished far behind the top three teams in the league, in fourth. But this season, I hope, we not only want to play better but win something."
Wahda have six UAE internationals, including Ismail Matar, and it was quite disappointing for a team of such quality to be trophyless for the last three years.
Hickersberger added: "It was the first time that I took over a side in the middle of a season. It was difficult because I didn't know the players. The team was not in the right shape and frame of mind. They were struggling at the time. And to be honest, I almost lost the job.
"The club chairman, Sheikh Saeed, has been patient with me and he has given me more time to show better results. Otherwise I would have got the sack. I am very realistic about it. I know how it works here."
Hickersberger was given a new one-year deal after he led Wahda to the Etisalat Cup final and earned a play-off berth in next year's Asian Champions League because of the club's fourth-placed league finish.
Baiano and Mutaz will fill voids that have been felt for a long time, both in attack and the defence.
Hickersberger continued: "We didn't have a decent striker last season. We analysed and discussed where we need to fit in the new players. We wanted someone who can put the ball in the back of the net and Baiano fits in that bill. The goalkeeper Ismail Rabea, showed a lot of promise in the cup games, but lost his shape during the season and then lost his confidence. We have five men to choose from and we'll see who comes out well."
Wahda leave for a three-week training camp in Germany tonight. They will play six friendlies there and five more upon their return on Aug 16. The new season kicks off with the President's Cup preliminaries on Aug 27 and the Pro League from Sep 25.
apassela@thenational.ae
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Jawan
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.