Sparky’s Column

The Question Remains

Crowds tend to be quieter here, you don't often see an arena full of people jumping up and down singing, in  fact the last time I did was for a Bjorn Again concert in Abu Dhabi. It does however turn out a crowd will assemble for things other than a Swedish tribute band. The atmosphere at Al Wasl for the Jazira match was electric. The 10,000 in the stadium were not treated to a classic, the game won't live long in the memory but the noise will. It is the first time I have seen a crowd fill a stadium for a league game. This was a ground full of fans,  with no added value sports cars or pot of cash on offer to bring people in, it was all about the football. 

 

The GCC Cup won by Al Shabab drew a healthy crowd and more silverware for the club. I loved the TV show on Dubai sports that followed the victory, all the staff were sat in a studio taking calls from happy fans. The highlight was one of the players bringing his bemused looking baby daughter on set to share the proud moment. The baby did not look too impressed with her new surroundings as she fought back the tears. There is a saying in television that you should never work with children or animals. I get the feeling that piece of advice never reached the shows producer. 

 

Alessandro Costacurta was in Al Ain as part of a project looking into the way clubs operate and offering advice. The former Italian was asked the standard question by the press here which is  "Would you like to coach in the UAE?" The standard answer is always polite and positive. It normally goes along the lines of "I would love to work in the UAE if the opportunity arose, I think football is developing here and  it would be great to be part of it" The "default" question is posed to anyone who steps off a plane and has spent more than three weeks working at a football club whether they are a coach, player or even kitman. I am sure the massed ranks of the press can come up with something better, in fact I am pleading please come up with a more original question, anything please even ask them about the weather. 

 

Assamoh Gyan sang the praises of the UAE league on Al Jazira's Global Game. He was at Puma's launch of the new Ghana kit in London. He never pretended that the football here  could match the Premier League but all the same he talked up the standard. He said the goals were coming and he was at the top of his game. The acid test of his progress will be in the AFCON in January. If he can shine in that like he did in the World Cup then there will be no arguments over his move. 

 

It looks like David Beckham will play his final game of Major League Soccer at the weekend.  He will then, if the press are to be believed move back to Europe for a season or two. I am amazed there has been no speculation linking him with a move to the UAE, somebody needs to start a  rumour or whispering campaign to get things moving. You are automatically thrust into the limelight if you even mention Beckham's name. Its a good way of getting your club in the public eye, even if there is no truth in the move whatsoever. If Beckham does arrive in the UAE for a holiday then the speculation could reach fever pitch.  I can see the throngs of  press waiting to ask the first question, it could be a defining moment in a reporters career if he just asks the right insightful question.  The room will be hushed as the we wait for the question, a lone voice breaks the silence with that most important of all questions "Mr Beckham would you like to coach in the UAE?" I already know the answer by the way.