Dubai: Ion Marin used Dubai Club's shock 5-0 win over Al Wasl in match day four of the etisalat Cup on Saturday — his first game in charge — to ground out a warning to other clubs who underestimate his minnow side's capabilities.
"Our war is yet to properly begin and it will be a long and hard battle. But soon enough we will surprise you. We are the dark horse," said Marin.
Having become the third coach at Dubai in as many weeks after the consecutive departures of Nestor Clausen and then Umberto Barberis — Marin would have been forgiven for a reverse score line let alone a draw against the more favourable Zabeel outfit.
But Dubai dealt Diego Maradona's flash side a humbling return to earth in only the Argentine legend's sixth game in charge (including friendlies) levelling his managerial record in the UAE to three wins three losses. Aboubacar Camara opened the onslaught after converting a Hassan Mohammad cross on 58 minutes. Camara then reciprocated on 70 minutes to supply Hassan Mohammad with a chip.
Team spirit
Simon Feindouno blasted a 40-yard wonder strike on 76 minutes to make it 3-0 and then on 80 minutes Nabil Daoudi rounded his marker to collect Hassan Mohammad's lob, to which he planted straight at the keeper only to then walk the riposte into the net. On 91 minutes, Camara made it five by heading in from an Faouzi Ayesh corner.
It came after a first half of countless missed opportunities for Dubai in particular for Daoudi who squandered on 31, 64 and 80 minutes. Marin said of his team's victory: "We've managed this because of the high spirit of our squad. Even I am taken aback by the number of goals we scored. I went in thinking a draw would be commendable."
"Usually in football the ones who miss the most end up losing but thankfully we made up for squandered chances in the first half. Hopefully Daoudi can take confidence from this game. He's a big star and I hope he can perform better in upcoming games."
Speaking of constant changes at Dubai, where even Daoudi wasn't first choice, only arriving after failed trials for Eyeman Henaini and Patrick Alves, Marin said: "From my experience, the best thing for a team is stability. I know there are no two matches the same. But this match is a good foundation from which to continue. But we cannot afford to get complacent off the back of this."
Diego Maradona said: "Five nil is of course a heavy defeat but there must be lessons to learn from this. The loss was as a result of failure to implement our plan and tactics on the field due to lack of discipline and focus in defence. I have spoken to the chairman extensively to resolve issues of strengthening the team in this area."