Sebastian Tagliabue insists Al Wahda are the best team in the Arabian Gulf League despite their indifferent start to the season.
The Argentine striker has begun the campaign in electric form, his brace in a thrilling 3-2 defeat to Al Jazira on Friday making it eight goals in five games.
His personal form is in stark contrast to that of the Clarets, who have won only once since Javier Aguirre took charge in the summer.
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The Mexican’s reign began well enough, Wahda thrashing Dibba Al Fujairah 4-0 on the AGL’s opening day, but they have followed that up with two 3-3 draws in the Arabian Gulf Cup and one goal defeats in the league to Al Shabab and Jazira.
Despite this, the 30-year-old frontman believes Wahda deserve respect. “For the fourth game we gifted them the first half, but we had total control in the second half,” said Tagliabue.
“I don’t know what the problem is. I think maybe we respect a lot of the other teams, but they have to respect Wahda too because, for me, we are the best team in this league this year, and everyone has to respect us, but we have to show that on the field.”
A crazy game saw the Pride of Abu Dhabi saunter into a 2-0 lead before Tagliabue’s double, including a 90th minute penalty, looked to have given the visitors an unlikely point.
However, five minutes into stoppage time, Jazira defender Yaser Matar’s 25-yard rocket won it for the hosts.
“I thought we’d done enough to get a point after the penalty but Yaser Matar scored a very nice goal, which was impossible for the goalkeeper,” said Tagliabue.
Wahda’s UAE defender Hamdan Al Kamali believes the Clarets can still challenge for the title but need to tighten up at the back.
“I am sad because we brought it level in the last minute, but Yaser Matar won it,” said the 26-year-old.
“Wahda still have a chance to fight for the title and we will work hard to make this possible and improve in the future. The defence don’t talk
together and we don’t seem to have harmony, but we’ll work to get it.”
Matar’s first goal in five seasons for Jazira went down a storm inside Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, although there was not such a similar reaction within the Matar household.
Older brother Ismail was on the losing side and the Wahda striker believed his side deserved more from the game.
“We lost in the last minute. We deserved more than this. We deserved a draw,” said the 32-year-old. “Jazira didn’t play at all in the second half.
“Yaser Matar’s goal doesn’t mean anything to me. He is a player on the other side. He is my brother, but we are on opposite sides of the playground.”
Things hardly get easier. Wahda welcome champions Al Ain to Al Nahyan Stadium next Friday.
