DUBAI // Al Wasl will start their Arabian Gulf League campaign with an all-Brazilian foreign contingent in their line-up following the arrival of Internacional midfielder Caio Correa.
Caio, 24, will join countrymen Ederson, Neto Berola and Fabio Lima in Brazilian manager Jorginho’s squad, who host Al Dhafra in their opening league match on Monday.
“We hope we will be able to complete all the formalities and sign a formal contract with Caio before the match against Dhafra,” said Jorginho, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994. “I would like to thank the officials here for their efforts in getting the players we needed.
“I watched the last five matches of the team last season and I noticed the team was suffering from weaknesses in certain areas, and we have tried to bring reinforcements for those areas.
“With these new additions, we are now hoping we will be able to get good results and have a good season.”
Caio arrived on Friday night and passed his medical exam the next day. Wasl are expected to announce a formal deal soon, putting to rest rumours of a possible move for Portuguese veteran Hugo Viana, who is looking for a new club after being replaced by Mirel Radoi at defending champions Al Ahli.
Caio started his career at Volta Redonda in 2008/09 before moving to Botafogo, where he won the Campeonato Carioca in 2010. Later, he moved to Internacional, winning the 2013 and 2014 Campeonato Gaucho with them.
Wasl are the second AGL team to go with an all-Brazilian foreign contingent alongside Sharjah, with Lima taking the Asian player’s spot after getting his Palestinian citizenship.
Wasl have also signed 10 new Emirati players during the summer, including players such as Adnan Hussain, Salem Masoud, Hazza Salem and goalkeeper Yousuf Al Zaabi.
Ajman v Al Jazira
Manager Eric Gerets said his Al Jazira side will go for the win at Ajman, but will do so without taking risks. “We will play an open game and try to win the three points,” the Jazira coach said. “But we will not commit suicide. We want to be well-organised on the pitch, which I believe will be the key to success.”
Baniyas v Al Nasr
Luis Garcia, Baniyas' new coach, wants his side to hit the ground running against Al Nasr on Monday. "The first game is always important, because a good start can do a lot of good things," he said. "We have tried out a lot of different things during training and in the friendly matches, but now comes the real test."
Fujairah v Emirates
Newly promoted Fujairah begin their campaign against Emirates on Monday, a prospect coach Abdulwahab Abdulqader says gives his side a chance at a winning start. "The first game against Emirates in the top flight gives us more hope of kicking off our campaign on a positive note," he said.
arizvi@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
