It is Al Nasr's problem: Gabriel Calderon

Dubai - Friday evening's 0-0 draw in Group A of the Arabian Gulf Cup extended the Cheetahs' miserable run of results against the Blue Wave, whom they now haven't beaten in six years since a 1-0 victory way back in February 2009.

By Alex Leach

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Published: Sun 6 Sep 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 6 Sep 2015, 2:19 PM

 Gabriel Calderon insists it is Al Nasr that needs to break their hoodoo against Al Wasl and not the other way round in the aftermath of their tepid derby-day stalemate.
Friday evening's 0-0 draw in Group A of the Arabian Gulf Cup extended the Cheetahs' miserable run of results against the Blue Wave, whom they now haven't beaten in six years since a 1-0 victory way back in February 2009.
However, an equally pertinent point in Calderon's eyes is the fact Nasr haven't managed to overcome his often makeshift and patchwork side in three attempts following the Argentine's appointment as Jorginho's successor last year.
These two teams also drew a blank in this very same competition in the New Year prior to a 2-2 draw a month later, when Fabio Lima netted a stoppage-time leveller to salvage another share of the spoils.
"I've played three matches against Al Nasr - when they played in a better condition than Al Wasl - and they haven't won against us," the Wasl coach said in his post-match Press conference afterwards.
"The problem is that Al Nasr haven't won against Wasl; there's no problem with Wasl.
"I've changed many players in those three matches because we don't have them. In this situation, it's more difficult for Al Wasl (than it is for Al Nasr). 
"Al Nasr arrived in the best condition, but it hasn't been possible for them to win against us in those three matches."
That particular perspective seems unlikely to find a receptive ear with Calderon's counterpart Ivan Jovanovic, who had some barbed comments and choice words concerning a perceived negativity in Wasl's style of play.
"Today's (Friday's) game was difficult for us for two reasons - the weather conditions and the fact Al Wasl were playing with 10 men behind the ball throughout the game," the Serbian boss stated. "It's not an easy task to find many chances to score when you have the entire opposition staying just outside of their box."
alex@khaleejtimes.com 


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