Iraqi says he cannot ‘work wonders’ in a short period of time
Abu Dhabi // Yousuf Jaber, the Baniyas captain, says the players fully support the new coach Adnan Hamad to give him the best possible start in his first game in charge.
The Iraqi replaced Jorge da Silva, the Uruguayan who was signed in the summer, on Thursday, and his first task is to lead them in a meeting with Al Qadsia of Kuwait in Saturday night’s Asian Champions League play-off.
“The coach has made an immediate impact on his arrival at the club and the good thing is that the majority of the players either knows him personally or have heard about him,” Jaber said.
“Now it is our turn to help him achieve the objectives of the club. We will all try to give him the best possible welcome and I am sure nothing will be better than a winning start on his new job.”
Hamad played down the sentiment of his captain but mentioned it would be unrealistic to expect a sudden improvement in the club’s level of play.
“There is a problem in the team and that’s why they have signed me in,” he said. “I can’t work wonders in a short period of time but will do my best to motivate the players for a good result in my first game in charge.
“It is very important match. We will try to play well. I have worked only two days with the team but already understand them well.
“You can’t do a lot of changes in such a short time. We will continue to play the way they have been playing. We may make some tactical changes but otherwise stick to the same work as before.”
Hamad urged his new side to play as a unit for a good result.
“In my opinion, we have an excellent squad,” he said. “We just need to work as a team to get the maximum level and the results will follow.”
According to him, Qadsia are a team in form after winning the Emir’s Cup last month and winning their ACL play-off against Al Suwaiq of Oman 1-0 last week.
“They are a big team among the Gulf clubs. They have lot of quality players, including several national team players in their squad. But we will play to our strength and home advantage.”
Mohammed Ibrahim, the Qadsia coach, felt a change of coach can “sometimes bring a change of fortune” for Baniyas.
“I know Adnan well,” he said. “He is a very good and an experienced coach. He has a very good knowledge of the Gulf clubs and sometimes change of coach can motivate the players.
“However, we are not worried of what the other team does.
“We have arrived with our own plans and strategies to play a match.
“Obviously we want to win and are well prepared for any challenge.
“For us, it is an important game. We are playing a good team and need to be at our best. Our preparations have been spot on for this game.
“We have been playing in the continental championship before and want to be in it again.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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