Al Shabab apply pressure as race for second in AGL heats up

Al Shabab 1 Fujairah 0

Al Shabab Bruno 86'

Man of the match Henrique Luvannor (Shabab)

DUBAI // Al Shabab coach Caio Junior will be cheering for Sharjah on Monday night when they host second-place Al Jazira.

A 1-0 win over Fujairah on Sunday night moved Shabab level on 45 points with Jazira and the Brazilian is hoping Sharjah can take points off Eric Gerets’s men before the two teams meet in Abu Dhabi on Friday in what is increasingly likely to determine who finishes runner-up in the Arabian Gulf League.

“I have spoken to my players and our target is the second position, and I believe it is possible,” Caio Junior said.

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“So this match between Sharjah and Jazira is going to be very important.”

The South American has an affiliation with Jazira after leading the Abu Dhabi club to the 2012 President’s Cup.

“I respect Jazira and I respect their players. I have worked there, I was happy there and I won a title with them. But I believe Sharjah can beat Jazira or at least take a point off them, and that will be very important for us,” he said.

With only two points from their last three matches, Shabab’s push for an Asian Champions League place was given a shot in the arm thanks to Edgar Bruno’s late winner last night. The win ensures they surpass last season’s total of 44 points, when the team tailed off badly towards the end of the season.

They also have reached the semi-finals of the GCC Club Cup and have the President’s Cup to look forward to next month.

“I am happy with these three points,” Caio Junior said. “It’s true because Fujairah are a very difficult team to play against. I like Fujairah. They are a good team with good organisation and speed.

“I am also happy because we now have 45 points, which is already more than the 44 points Shabab finished with last season. This is very important for us.

“I don’t know what will happen in the coming matches, but we can say this season is definitely better than the last one.”

Shabab should have won more comfortably, but were twice denied by the woodwork. Carlos Villanueva hit the crossbar in the 33rd minute from inside the area and then substitute Essa Obaid did the same in the 72nd minute.

Five minutes later, Hassan Maatouk had an easy opportunity to put Fujairah up during a one-on-one with the Shabab goalkeeper Salem Abdulla. The Lebanese, however, shot straight at the keeper.

“That was a great chance, but unfortunately we missed it,” said Ivan Hasek, the Fujairahcoach. “Shabab then scored in the final minutes. However, we cannot complain. We did our best, could not have done more because Shabab are one of the best teams in the UAE.”

Al Shaba v Fujairah report card

Star performer Henrique Luvannor (Al Shabab) – The Moldovan buzzed around the Fujairah area throughout and provided the cross for Edgar Bruno to fire home.

Al Shabab rating 6/10 – Without a win in their last three games, Caio Junior's men showed plenty of resolve and deserved the three points.

Fujairah rating 5/10 – The visitors played a good game, but they were guilty of wasting a couple of great chances.

arizvi@thenational.ae

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