We cannot afford to relax, says Rodolfo
dubai — Al Wasl coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena has said they cannot afford to relax when they make the trip to Kalba for the sixth round of the Arabian Gulf League.
The Cheetahs are third in the standings behind leaders Al Jazira and Al Shabab after stringing together four wins on the trot. Al Wasl have 12 points from four wins.
They have seen the back of Al Dhafra, Bur Dubai rivals Al Nasr, Al Wahda and Al Sharjah and now go up the against the League’s newcomers Ittihad Kalba at the Kalba Union Sports & Cultural Club Stadium on Thursday.
“We know that we cannot relax against a team like Kalba,” Arruabarrena said at the prematch press briefing at the Zabeel Stadium on Tuesday.
“It is a difficult match as we are playing away. And we come up against a good team who should’ve had more points than they have now. They have a good offensive game and if we don’t cope with it, we will have problems,” he added.
The Argentine said that it would be foolish to think of Kalba as minnows and added that his team will have to continue to be aggressive, like they have done over the past four games.
“Kalba are as important as Al Nasr or Sharjah or any other team in the League. And I repeat that we have a difficult match against an opponent who should have had more points than they have now. We respect them as a team and if we go there and not fight, it will cost us. We have to be aggressive as a team,” said the former Boca Juniors coach.
Meanwhile, defender Abdulla Saleh said that it was a vital game in their quest for silverware.
“This match is very important because this game could make the difference. We have been working hard with the coach and the staff and getting much better defensively,” said Saleh.
It is a difficult match as we are playing away. And we come up against a good team who should’ve had more points than they have now Rodolfo Arruabarrena