Dubai: Al Wasl coach Gabriel Calderon said he won’t be looking for revenge against his old side when Bani Yas travel to Zabeel Stadium on match day seven of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday.
The Argentine manager spent six months with The Sky Blues from November, 2011 to May, 2012 before being sacked despite leading the Abu Dhabi outfit to the President’s Cup final and the last 16 of the AFC Champions League. He also guided the club to league safety, having taken over when they were just shy of the relegation zone.
Thursday’s game will mark the first time Calderon will come face-to-face with his old employers since going on to manage the Bahrain national team and Spanish side Real Betis, but Calderon says he bears the visitors no grudge.
“I took some very good souvenirs away with me from Bani Yas, such as the club reaching the President’s Cup final for the first time in 20 years,” he said. “I still have very good relations with all the people there and we shared some great memories.
“I approach every match with the same desire to win. Bani Yas has finished now and I am very happy in my new role with Al Wasl.”
Calderon replaced Brazilian tactician Jorginho as coach of The Cheetahs last week after the 1994 World Cup winner won just one game from the first five league matches of the season.
In his first match in charge, Calderon saw Al Wasl draw 2-2 away to league leaders Al Wahda on Saturday, and he now hopes his side’s newfound confidence will steer them clear of danger, with the team still tenth in the league with six points from six matches.
However, Luis Garcia’s Bani Yas have also turned around a tough start to the season, in which they failed to win in their first five league games, only to beat Al Shabab 2-0 at home in their last league outing on Friday.
“After too many problems, Bani Yas have won and their confidence is high,” said Calderon. “But Al Wasl also have more confidence now after the Al Wahda game, so Thursday’s match will be very competitive.
“The players arrive off the back of the Al Wahda match with big spirit and I’m happy for this to continue. We will work on some things we have to improve, but I am very confident this team can reach a higher level.”
Meanwhile, Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana’s move from Al Ahli is still on hold after the club failed to finalise his paperwork before the transfer deadline. However, Calderon said the ordeal should be over by this week, in which case he could play this Thursday.
“The character and quality of Hugo is big for the team,” he said. “He is very important for the balance of the team and we very much need his quality to make a difference. There should be a solution this week, but until today I have no information, if I get UAE FA approval, I will add him to the squad.
“Hugo is one more foreign player and with full foreigners Al Wasl can be better, but if his move isn’t approved I know there will be another playing working well and waiting for his chance to play.”
