Maradona moves to ease Al Wasl fans' fears

Al Wasl coach to ring the changes for Etisalat Cup match.

Diego Maradona, the head coach of Al Wasl speaks with fans following a training session.

DUBAI // Diego Maradona has assured Al Wasl fans they have nothing to fear despite a disappointing start to his reign at the club.

Wasl have lost two of their three matches under Maradona and the fans are getting a bit uneasy.

After a 3-1 win over Ittihad Kalba in the summer, Maradona's team lost 2-1 in their second friendly match against Dibba and then suffered a 4-3 defeat at Al Jazira in their Etisalat Cup opener last Thursday.

The poor start has led to Maradona releasing Mohammed Al Shaibah, the Omani defender, meaning Wasl will be in the market for an Asian player.

The Argentine legend has also promised a few more changes on the pitch when his team meet Emirates in their second Etisalat Cup game at Al Ahli tomorrow.

"If you are scared, then don't come and watch the matches," Maradona told the doubting fans last night. "You can stay at home, watch some DVD or some comedy series.

"There is nothing to be scared about in football. It is about entertainment, it is about passion. If you like to be entertained, watch it, if you don't, then stay away.

"I don't like losing and I am here to win, to do my best. So the Al Wasl fans should not be worried about anything.

"I want to reassure them that Al Wasl have a great squad, full of amazing players with great skills. They all have amazing ethics and ambitions, and they are all very good men who want to achieve something in this sport."

Talking about the match against Emirates, Maradona said: "We are going to try a new strategy and tactics in the next game. We could play a new formation and I might try some new faces as well."

Follow

The National Sport

on

& Ahmed Rizvi on