Sparky’s Column

The Race for the Prize

Last week I went to great lengths to research and give you an insight into what we all thought was Al Nasr's newest signing, Argentinian Maxi Lopez. I think he was just stepping in for his medical when I wrote the piece; I didn't however count on a seemingly fit player with a long career failing a medical, which is exactly what he did. The reasons are unknown but the hunt for a third foreign player did not take long. The original summer target, Ibrahima Toure of Monaco is now signed sealed and soon to be delivered for the Blue Wave. He will join his teammates in Germany on the 18th and this means Al Nasr are almost set with their foreign contingent for their first post-Walter Zenga season.
 
Al Shaab have gone down the Brazilian route for one of their foreign strikers, signing Thiago Quirino da Silva or 'Quirino' to the kit man. He is a journeyed player having spent time in Sweden, Japan and now the UAE. He is not the most prolific striker with 58 goals in 232 appearances but as a former Brazilian Under-20 international he obviously possesses some quality. Bani Yas have a reputation for bringing through Emirati youngsters and now they have gone for youth with their latest overseas signing. Luis Farina is a 22-year-old Argentinian signed on a year’s loan from Benfica. He was signed by the Portuguese giants from Racing Club of Argentina and had no time to unpack his case before being put on a plane to the UAE. He is highly rated and from what I have seen I think could be a star of the Arabian Gulf League this season.
 
Pre-season camps are well underway with all clubs off to European venues for the toughest phase of preparation. Ajman have decided on Turkey, which will be warm but not as hot as the UAE. That may prove an advantage come the extreme heat of a UAE season. The rest of the clubs are in cooler climes, with Germany, Austria and Switzerland being popular. Why are these places chosen over other locations? It revolves round a number of reasons; a lot of clubs want to work at altitude to speed up aerobic and anaerobic gains, plus the facilities in these countries are good, ensuring a smooth pre-season. The other more simple reason is that the clubs look at what the big clubs in Europe do and follow their lead. UAE clubs have the budget and can afford the best facilities so why wouldn’t you provide players with the best chance to be successful.