Sparky’s Column

Maradona Watch

Imagine a pre season friendly on a training pitch, normally a few die hard fans may show up who
have nothing else to do and have been football starved since the end of last season. I want you to
now imagine this with one subtle difference, a certain Diego Armando Maradona on the touchline. The
game of no consequence now turns into a circus, pre match fireworks, flares, chanting and fans
hanging off every available vantage point. I have no idea the exact crowd last night, no one will be
sure but guaranteed it was larger than plenty of league games Al Wasl played last season. Where
Maradona goes crowds follow. It seemed all eyes including mine were on the touchline instead of the
pitch. This is why I can now present to you my not entirely serious minute by minute Maradona watch.

Kick off minus 5 mins

Maradona walks towards pitch which has been cordoned off. Fans go crazy many scarves are twirled and
several flares light up the night sky. Maradona waves to crowd.

Kick Off

Maradona sits down on a white plastic chair, hands on knees. He looks intense.

5:00
Maradona paces the technical area still looking intense, returns to seat hands on knees.

15:00
Another quick pace around.

Half time

Surrounded by photographers walks to changing room.

Second half

Walks out surrounded by photographers.

56:00
Calls for towel and wipes down face


60:00

Wipes face again.


70:00

More pacing then returns to towel.


Full time

Some more photographers appear and surround Maradona. The photographers are then surrounded by youth team players and security then surrounds everyone. Maradona then returns to changing room to
rapturous applause, he stops to shake several hands including mine. I decide to never wash my hand
again.
That observation is not entirely serious but the intensity of interest surrounding the man is
enormous. It is sure to be a huge season for the profile of UAE football and Al Wasl in particular.

The club itself unveiled its three new signings on Saturday, they were introduced to the waiting
press to the sound of Freddie Mercury belting out We are the Champions. This produced a few coughs
and the shuffling of feet amongst the assembled press. It seems a bit presumptuous pre season but it
reflects the feel good factor at the club.

I did actually catch some of the game in-between Maradona watching and Al Wasl's star man was the
Chilean, Puch. He reminds me of the two other Chilean's who have played here recently Villaneuva and
Valdivia. He is small, skillful and gets busy pulling the strings on the pitch.

The preseason friendly has ignited my passion for the new season and I can't wait. This year with
Maradona in tow is sure to be on a scale never seen before. The little man is big news for the UAE.