Azizbek Haydarov says Al Shabab have had a season to remember despite bowing out on Saturday with defeat in the President’s Cup semi-final.
The Uzbekistan international played in the shootout loss to Al Nasr at Al Maktoum Stadium, when Edgar Bruno and Hassan Ibrahim missed from the spot. The score was 1-1 after 120 minutes of action.
However, Shabab can look back on the 2014/15 campaign as a success, since they finished third in the Arabian Gulf League, reached the last four of both domestic cup competitions and last week lifted the GCC Clubs Cup.
“We lost here, but we are happy because this season we did a good job,” Haydarov said. “What we had in our body, we gave all our best. We wanted to go to the final, see the sheikh, shake his hand, but when God gives something he also takes away. This was a very good season for us.”
Shabab have excelled under Caio Junior, the former Al Jazira coach who last summer replaced Marcos Paqueta. Haydarov has worked with some high-profile managers in the past, especially during his time with Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor, yet he rates the Brazilian as the finest he has known.
“He’s amazing,” said Haydarov, who joined Shabab in 2011. “He works with us, but treats us as his friends, speaks to us, tells us what to do in each game. I’m very happy with this coach. I’ve worked before with many coaches – [Luiz Felipe] Scolari, Zico, Bob Houghton – but for me, this one is the best because every time he’s the same: speaks softly, doesn’t shout, has very good respect.
“I’m very happy for Shabab – this is the best group I’ve seen in my life. Every time we’re together, every time we support each other, every time we speak well. What we didn’t achieve this season, hopefully we try for next season.”
Al Shaab
Al Shaab are set to announce Egyptian Tarek El Ashry as their coach for the coming season after agreeing a one-year deal with the former Haras El Hodood star. According to media reports, Shaab officials have travelled to Cairo to sign the 44-year-old as Eid Barout’s successor at the Sharjah club. El Ashry started his coaching career in 2006 at Egyptian military club Haras El Hodood and guided them to their first title in history in 2009, when they beat ENNPI in the final of the Egypt Cup. In 2012, El Ashry took over ENNPI before departing for the Libyan club Ahly Benghazi 12 months later, but with the domestic league in Libya halted by the civil war he was back in Egypt and, after being linked with several jobs, including Al Ahly of Cairo and the Egypt Olympic team, moved back to his former club ENNPI.
Dibba Al Fujairah
Newly promoted Dibba Al Fujairah, the Division One champions last season, could also opt for Egyptian expertise to guide the team on their return to the Arabian Gulf League next season, with the former Al Wahda coach Ahmed Abdel Halim being at the top of the list. Dibba had approached two other Egyptians, Tarek El Ashry and Hossam El Badry, as well, but Dibba club director Juma Hamdan said negotiations with Abdel Halim “have reached an advanced stage”.
Oman
Sami Al Jaber, the former Saudi international striker and Al Wahda coach, is set to be introduced as the Oman coach. He and Wahda could not agree on an extension last month following a “difference of opinion” with the Abu Dhabi club’s management over the plans for next season.
Al Wahda
Al Wahda have rubbished rumours they are in talks with Christian Gross, the Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli’s Swiss coach. “Of course, we are in talks with a few coaches but Gross is not one of them,” said Ayman Khalil, spokesman for the club, noting earlier incorrect information suggesting Laszlo Boloni would take over. “These are just speculations,” he said. Michael Laudrup, the Denmark international, who led the Qatari club Lekhwiya to the Stars League and the Crown Prince Cup double, was a Wahda target, Khalil said. “That broke down without much talk as the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement,” he said.
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