Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda’s ace striker Sebastian Tagliabue, after being crowned the Foreign Player of the Year, announced that he and his team will resume their quest for the Arabian League title next season having come so close this time.
“This award is some recognition for the effort every one of us has put for the team. It will inspire each one of us to fight to the title next season,” said the Argentine, who felt that the ‘turning point ‘in this season’s Arabian Gulf League title was his side’s loss to Al Ain.
“We fought hard in the league but had we at least drawn if not won against Al Ain in round 18 that we lost 6-2, we could have had a good chance. Maybe we were a bit nervous that time and few wrong decisions cost us the game and the title in the end,” said Tagliabue, who has renewed his contract with the club for the next two years.
“Yes, we signed the contact for another two years just last week and I’m very happy about that. I have always played in the interest of the club and will continue to do so,” said Tagliabue, who also went on to add that his family — wife Mariana, sons Facundo (9) and Gustavo (7) are enjoying life in the UAE and that is another reason that has kept him going with the club since 2013.
“If your family is enjoying where you are, then you are also at ease. I’m very happy that my contract has been renewed. I feel this place is my second home and I have loved being here. My kids and wife are very happy staying here and they enjoy being here, so that’s what keeps me going here,” said Tagliabue, who rated the season as one of his best.
- Sebastian Tagliabue | Al Wahda forward
goals scored by Tagliabue this season for Al Wahda
“I can say this is one of the best years for me with Al Wahda. In the first year with them, I had scored 28 goals in 25 games and, this year, I scored 23 goals.
“I want to score as much as possible and fighting for the league title is my and our team’s prime objective. I feel, we as a team have been doing well for quite some time and want to continue doing that,” asserted the 33-year-old, who had also won the Best Foreign Player and the Golden Boot award in 2015-2016.
Al Ain’s Swedish striker Marcus Berg who walked away with the top scorer award with 25 goals for the season too was delight with his accomplishment. “Very happy with what I have achieved with the club and the coaches. My congrats to Omar Abdul Rahman, coach Mamic, Hussain Al Shahat and Eisa. It was a good night for us. Everyone proved we are a strong team and we proved that this season,” said Berg, who vowed that his team will put up a better show in the return leg against Qatar’s Al Duhail in the AFC Champions League where they need to win by at least three goals.
“We will be a different team for sure in the next leg and you will see. We will be giving our very best to try and qualify,” said Berg.
Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic, who clinched the Leader Award, was delighted with what he and his wards had achieved but he insisted that the crucial return leg against Duhail is very much on his and his team’s mind.
“It is a great season for Al Ain, we won a double and many of our players have been awarded and we deserve this honour. However, I would like to say we have not finished yet. We have one important game to play and do our best and turn the result from the first game,” said Mamic, who accepted that his team were lacking in the game against Duhail but brushed aside that it had much to do with the success they achieved on the local front.
“We won two trophies in a short time but maybe you can say the players lost a bit of concentration because of the emotions. But that’s no excuse. I’m sure everyone wants to make up for the loss in the return leg. Hopefully, we can do that and qualify.”
League fixtures
The Pro League Committee conducted the draw for the 2018-19 Arabian Gulf League and Cup at Emirates Palace on Thursday night in the presence of UAE national team head coach Alberto Zaccheroni and former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
The two competitions will see 14 teams competing next season as against 12 in 2017-18.
The Arabian Gulf League draw threw up some tough encounters in the opening matchweek, with Shabab Al Ahli hosting Al Jazira and a clash between returning Baniyas and the winner of the promotion play-off 2.
Al Ain kick off their title defence on the road against the winner of promotion play-off 1, while Al Wasl play Dibba and Al Wahda face newly promoted Ittihad Kalba. Al Dhafra welcome Sharjah to the Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium and Ajman travel to Dubai to play Al Nasr.
The Arabian Gulf Cup draw placed reigning champions Al Wahda in Group A alongside Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Al Wasl, Ajman, Dibba, Baniyas and Ittihad Kalba, while Al Ain head Group B which also includes Sharjah, Al Nasr, Al Jazira, Al Dhafra and the winners of promotion play-offs 1 and 2.
