Al Wasl head coach Gabriel Calderon is excited by the prospect that his livewire attack is finally starting to click as they visit Emirates Club on Thursday.
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Caio Canedo, who bagged 16 Arabian Gulf League goals last season, netted his first this term in the 5-1 thrashing of Fujairah last Saturday, with Fabio de Lima and summer signing Edgar Bruno each scoring twice.
“I am proud of my team and our ability to create chances and score goals,” said the Argentine. “I am also glad that Fabio and Caio started to play the same level they showed last season and that Edgar finally scored.
“Edgar has put some pressure on himself to prove his ability with Al Wasl, and some people didn’t have confidence in him.
“I recommended him to the board because I know Edgar is great player, and whether he scored or not, he is helping the team.
“Of course, scoring will help him to have more confidence in the future, and personally I am 100 per cent sure he will add more to our team.”
Canedo, who signed a permanent deal at Zabeel Stadium in the summer, didn’t seem too bothered about his previous goal drought.
“Of course, it’s great to score goals, but what is more important is to win matches, whether I scored or Fabio or Edgar. We have a good defence and when we as strikers create chances and score, our chances to win will be higher.”
Emirates coach Paulo Comelli is expecting a tough game but said his side, two points behind fifth-placed Wasl, are targeting all three points.
“We want to win and and we look forward to victory. The players are excited and they have great motivation,” said the Brazilian.
In today’s other match, Al Nasr will look to usurp Al Ain at the top of the AGL table, temporarily at least, when they host Al Shabab.
Elsewhere, Al Wahda travel to rock bottom Al Shaab on Friday looking to bounce back from a 3-1 home defeat to unbeaten Al Ahli last Sunday.