Dubai: Al Wasl’s Arabian Gulf Cup derby away to Al Nasr on Friday will kick-off at 5.45pm, despite Cheetahs coach Gabriel Calderon warning ‘someone might die’ playing at that time due to the heat and humidity.
The Argentine coach launched into a tirade about the weather following last Friday’s 2-0 cup win at home to Al Shaab and pleaded with organisers the Pro League Committee (PLC) to change the timing of this week’s fixture on health and safety grounds.
The PLC refused to comment on Calderon’s appeal and the game will go ahead as planned.
“Now I have to respect the decision of the federation,” said Calderon of his ignored concerns. “I have no power to change things and we need to play — hopefully we won’t have any problems. Again, we take this competition seriously and Al Wasl players give their life in every match.”
Asked if the PLC had spoken to him after his comments, he replied. “No, it’s a free country and you can say what you like. I was speaking for the good of UAE football, but others make the decisions and they have to take responsibility for those decisions. I’ve no need to say anymore.”
Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic said he empathised with both Calderon’s and the PLC’s standpoints.
On earlier kick-offs, he said: “Of course the timing of the games makes it difficult, but television is in the middle, some games have to start earlier and some games start later, so there is always this problem of timing.”
And of starting the season in August, he added: “It’s tough to play in these conditions at this time, but I think this is only for August and September. After that we will have lower temperatures and it will be much better.”
Overall, he said starting earlier was preferred. “The programme at the moment [starting earlier] is better compared to last year as it allows us to have six or seven days between games throughout the season, allowing us to prepare properly for all matches.”
Of the game, which took a backseat during the media sessions, Jovanovic said the Blue Wave would look to continue their winning start to the season after beating Emirates Club 2-1 at home in their Arabian Gulf League opener and Bani Yas 1-0 away in the Arabian Gulf Cup.
“Every game against Al Wasl, regardless of the competition it’s in, is interesting. Both teams started the first round with victory and now we want to win this game too. We have been preparing with all seriousness as in all previous games.”
Calderon, whose Al Wasl team are also unbeaten so far this season — opening the league with a 2-1 win away to Al Jazira and earning a victory at home to Al Shaab in the cup — also showed no sign of letting up.
“For all matches we are training as if it’s a final,” he said. “Al Wasl is a big club and we need to fight to win something. This mentality makes you a champion.
“We have players missing and this handicaps us, but our mentality doesn’t change. We make adaptations because football doesn’t stop.”
