Sparky’s Column

Football Pays Tribute to Theyab Awana

The weekend was an emotional occasion for everyone at Bani Yas Football Club. The players took to the pitch for the first time since the passing of Theyab Awana. It was moving to see all the players wearing a t shirt bearing their team mates image and made the game even more poignant. Jorvan Viera praised his players spirit playing in what must have been the most difficult game of their lives. The leagues other clubs joined in remembering the player with fans up and down the country placing banners pitch side.
Diego Maradona visited the family of Theyab Awana which was a magnificent gesture. He could have quite easily disappeared into the background for a life of luxury but he has appeared at charity events and his latest action shows how much he cares about the people in the UAE's biggest sport.
The Etisalat Cup never has the biggest of crowds when compared to league matches. Players are on international duty and it is used by clubs to blood youngsters. It makes for a more sedate atmosphere at the stadiums, except with the Maradona factor, the rule book goes out of the window. There was 5059 in the Zabeel stadium for the game against Al Wahda, which is unprecedented for a Etisalat Cup game. It was almost 3000 more that the next highest attendance and 10 times that of some teams. It was Maradona's first home game and the support was as ferocious as back in Diego's homeland. The players lifted by the support ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. In Europe a large noisy home support is often referred to as the 12th man. Al Wasl will definitely have the 12th and maybe even 13th man as the supporters have gone into over drive. I think they will be very difficult to beat at "fortress" Zabeel.
I am leaving the best till last this week. Villaneuva's gaol for Al Shabab was a scorcher. The Chilean intercepted a clearance chested the ball and one bounce later volleyed home from a full 30 metres out. Normally when people say 30 metres its an exaggeration but not in this case. If you can find the goal on you tube then you will be watching it over and over again. I think we may have the candidate for goal of the season in September.