Sparky’s Column

Dubai Clubs in the spotlight

The city of Dubai is the main hub for the Etisalat Pro-League this season, with no less than five clubs hailing from the city. The most recognized are Al Wasl, Al Ahli, Al Nasr and Al Shabab. Three of the four have won the League in the last five years, and Al Nasr are the oldest club in the UAE having been formed in 1945.

The fifth club, and the least recognized, is Dubai Club. The Club has been in and out of the top division numerous times, with the most recent return being this season. They suffer by virtue that they don't have the same support, both financially and in the stands, as Dubai's more established clubs. The shining light is a great youth policy and it is lifeblood of the Club. They represent the best opportunity for the young players of Dubai to progress to the pro ranks. The coaches I have seen in action have a great attitude with the young players. The approach is to nurture the players rather than beating them down which is common amongst coaches. The younger players really respond to this and their enjoyment in training breeds players who want to play for the Club.

Dubai's senior team have rallied in recent weeks both in the Etisalat Pro-League and the Etisalat Cup. The recent 6-3 victory over Bani Yas showed the team can score goals. They followed that with a 1-1 draw with Al Nasr. The Club could be on their way to saving themselves in the League - after an awful start to the season they are sitting just two points behind Al Ain and safety from relegation.

The other big story of the week is the return of Walter Zenga to the Etisalat Pro-League. He previously worked at Al Ain in a period where the Club struggled. He was part of a group of coaches sandwiched between the successful periods of Bruno Metsu and Winfried Schaefer. The media had no idea Al Nasr was about to employ the Italian legend. The red herring was the Club announced they had a Romanian coach waiting to take over. It turns out that Walter Zenga has a Romanian passport from his time at Dinamo Bucharest. He steps out of the Saudi League, ironically with Riyadh's Al Nasr, to the Etisalat Pro-League. He will have his work cut out as Al Nasr have struggled for consistency this season. They are desperate for success and they will look to the Italian to push them towards some kind of silverware.