Ahead of the start to the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season, The National will preview the fortunes of each of the UAE's 14 top-flight clubs. Here, Ahmed Rizvi examines Al Wasl.
Outlook
One of the best teams in the second half of last season with only one defeat in their final 11 matches, Wasl will be looking to build on that as they hunt for their first trophy since the 2006/07 league and President’s Cup double.
Wasl have made only one change to the foreign quartet that served them so well last season, with the Brazilian trio of Fabio Lima, Caio and Ederson scoring 46 of the team’s 53 goals in the league. Al Shabab’s Edgar Bruno has come in for Ederson (14 goals last season) after Wasl and Atletico Paranaense failed to come to an agreement over extending the striker’s loan.
The club did succeed in turning Caio’s loan into a permanent five-year deal and the management is looking positively towards the new season.
“We hope everything is in place to provide smooth results,” said Majed Obaidallah, the team manager. “Of course, we need to be one of the big four in the league. This is the dream we must have also to win the President’s Cup and the Arabian Gulf Cup.”
Foreign quartet
Fabio Lima: Played a key role in Wasl’s strong finish last season, scoring 14 goals in his last 10 league appearances. Will be hoping to keep that run going.
Caio: The commander of the Wasl midfield last season, Caio has earned himself a five-year deal at the Zabeel Stadium and his performance will be key to the club’s ambitions.
Hugo Viana: Played only half a season for Wasl, but the Portuguese had a huge impact. His experience will again be a huge asset as Wasl try to end their trophy drought.
Edgar Bruno: Dumped by Al Shabab after a poor season, the lanky Brazilian striker will be hoping to redeem himself and repay manager Gabriel Calderon for his trust.
Key Emirati players
Served well by their Emirati contingent last season, Wasl have kept faith in them, offering long-term contracts to players such as Hazza Salem, Ahmed Al Shamsi and Salem Abdullah, who had spent the past season on loan from Al Ain.
The club also have a few exciting young talents such as Ali Salmeen and Abdullah Kazim in their ranks and, of course, senior pros like Adnan Hussain, Yaser Salem and Waheed Ismail. So Gabriel Calderon looks to have most bases covered.
Manager
Gabriel Calderon, Argentina: Helped ring in an improved second half after the club began the season listlessly under Jorginho. Will carry the goodwill from that turnaround at least into the first few weeks of 2015/16.
The National’s verdict
Given their strong finish, Wasl will definitely have momentum on their side, but they have to contend with a tough start – Al Jazira in the opening round, Al Ain in the second followed by Al Nasr and Al Ahli. Positive results in those early games could be a massive boost for their campaign. A poor start, on the other hand, could see the management pressing the panic button, which usually means the button with “sack the manager” written on it.
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