Ahead of the start to the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League season, The National will preview the fortunes for each of the UAE's 14 top-flight clubs. Here, Amith Pasella looks at Baniyas.
Outlook
A top four finish will be the goal for Baniyas again after a patchy 2014/15 season in which they finished eighth, 25 points behind the champions Al Ain in the Arabian Gulf League.
Luis Garcia, the Spanish coach who was appointed just weeks ahead of the start of last season, is into his second year of his 24-month contract and that is a positive sign at a club that has gone through nine coaches in four seasons.
However, on the negative side, Baniyas have yet to finalise their foreign quartet after attempts to sign several players including the Brazilian Robinho, the former Real Madrid and Manchester City player, Dutchman Michiel Kramer from Feyenoord, and Al Ain’s Jires Kembo-Ekoko, all fell through.
They have three new signings but Joan Verdu’s future at the club remains uncertain. The attacking Spanish midfielder was their stand-out foreign player last season and remains on their books.
Garcia declined to clarify Verdu’s position ahead of their opening match against Al Shaab.
“We will find another player,” said the Spaniard. “As for the last foreign player, I want a player in the forward-left position, off the middle. I don’t have any names now.”
Garcia has strengthened his attacking options by signing Argentine striker Joaquin Larrivey from the La Liga club Celta Vigo and the Algerian forward Ishak Belfodil from Parma.
Foreign quartet
Joaquin Larrivey: The Argentine forward arrives after scoring 11 goals in 35 La Liga appearances for Celta Vigo last season.
Ishak Belfodil: The tall Algerian is set to strike an influential partnership with Larrivey to lead the team’s attack.
Mark Milligan: The Australian international was the first summer signing and he is set to play an influential role in marshalling the defence.
Joan Verdu: He remains on the club’s books but seems out of their plans. However, if Baniyas are unable to bring in a fourth expat soon, he could appear in midfield.
Key Emirati players
Amer Abdulrahman, the UAE international, is the key man to pull the strings from the middle for his team. Bandar Al Ahbabi, an attack-oriented winger, will contribute goals. The experienced defender Yousuf Jaber is an inspirational leader.
Manager
Luis Garcia, a 42-year-old Spaniard, coached Levante and Getafe in his homeland before taking over at Baniyas a year ago. His first season was building for the future and after surviving a difficult period, better times are ahead for the Spaniard.
The National verdict
Baniyas was hailed as a team of the future when they finished a creditable fourth on their return to the top flight in 2008/2009 and occupied the same position in the following season. They were runners up behind Al Jazira in 2011 but the tides have unfortunately changed as they have been struggling in mid table. It is hard to see them move up to the top four in their current predicament. Should they do, it would be a credit.
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