Al Wasl must look to the past to bring the best out of miniscule magician Rogerinho, according to team-mate Caio Canedo.
The 28-year-old new boy was part of a toothless attack upon his first start on Friday as Arabian Gulf League-title chasers Al Ahli inflicted a 1-0 derby defeat courtesy of Ahmed Khalil’s free-kick.
Caio and Fabio De Lima scored 46 times alongside similarly-small-statured Ederson Alves last term before his summer switch to Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol and he believes they possess the knowledge to fire once again.
“Of course, we miss Edgar as he is a very good player,” the 25-year-old forward said. “But Rogerinho is also a very good player.
“Last year, we played just like this in the same formation. Ederson was open and I played inside.
“I am used to it. We just have to respect the administration’s decision and continue winning games.
“We have to give Rogerinho some time. He is a good player and very intelligent, like Ederson.
“We have everything to work it out. Today, I don’t think we played very well and we are going to have to train more to improve in the games.”
Rogerinho was a left-field recruitment for Wasl on the penultimate day of the market, coach Gabriel Calderon stating “I also do not know anything about him” at his unveiling.
Caio insists it was up to the former Al Shabab Riyadh loanee to prove his worth in the weeks ahead.
He said: “He (Rogerinho) has to show. My prediction is we can play good with Edgar and good with Rogerinho.
“We’ve just got to show. This is football, it is the most important thing to show on the field.”
An uncomfortable Dubai showdown saw Wasl struggle to create any real chances, a scrambled clearance from Caio’s smart turn and shot with 10 minutes left the sum of their endeavours against second-placed opponents.
They now have the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways on Saturday when bottom-placed Al Shaab visit Zabeel Stadium and Caio backed his AFC Champions League-chasing side to take it.
He said: “We didn’t play so bad, although we didn’t have too many chances. Al Ahli scored and now it is in the past – we have to think about Al Shaab (on Saturday).
“Al Ahli is a strong team, who are very well trained. We always play to win, although one point would have been very welcome.
“It doesn’t always happen. Now, we need to get three points at home and do our job.”