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Peseiro to rely on Wahda experience

It is never easy to take charge in the middle of a season and it definitely is all the more tougher when the first game at the helm happens to be a knockout. But then, perhaps, Jose Peseiro's time with Al Wahda would help.
The Portuguese spent two years with Al Wahda from 2013 to 2015 and knows the workings of UAE football. And the 56-year-old former Real Madrid assistant, who was once classmates with the self-anointed 'Special One' Jose Mourinho, during their time at the Superior Institute of Physical Education in Lisbon, will call on that experience when he tries to steer his new club Al Sharjah against a red-hot Al Wasl.
The two sides meet in the quarterfinal of the President's Cup at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium on Wednesday evening, and Peseiro has been tasked with ressurecting Al Sharjah's fortunes.
'The King' parted ways with their Greek manager Giorgos Donis, who had taken over in July, by mutual consent on Sunday, and Peseiro has been handed the job for six months with the option to renew. And he was already on to it by putting the squad through a training session, ahead of the fixture against Al Wasl.
"I'm very happy to join Sharjah club. I have previously coached in the Gulf region and I accept this new challenge," Peseiro said.
"Sharjah are a great team and I hope that we can get some satisfactory results during this challenge. I have great desire and enthusiasm with this team. I look forward to this challenge and Sharjah has the potential to be at the top," he added.
Meanwhile, talking of the game against Al Wasl, Peseiro said: "It will be a tough game and Al Wasl have started well this season. They have a good coach as well as good players. But it is important that we show confidence and we need to work and show a strong willingness to fight as nothing is impossible in football."
Meanwhile, Al Wasl coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena has told his team to be careful against a Sharjah side, which has just changed their coach. "Sharjah just changed their coach and their players will have extra motivation now with this change. We need to be careful and correct the mistakes we made in the last match. We need also to keep the good work because if we don't have the right mentality we are going to face a lot of trouble," said the Argentine.Meanwhile, midfielder Humaid Abbas hoped to start the year with a good result. "Sharjah have a great history in the President's Cup but we want to start the new year with a good result," said Abbas.
Elsewhere, at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain take on Al Nasr in the other quarterfinal. - james@khaleejtimes.com