Qasim seeks better show from Bin Darwish
Former UAE and Al Ahli defender wants improved performance in Late Maktoum Bin Rashid Tournament
Former UAE and Al Ahli defender Mohammad Qasim has demanded for an improved performance from his team if Bin Darwish is to go at least one step better than their runners-up place last year in the Late Maktoum Bin Rashid Memorial Football Tournament.
Bin Darwish became only the second team — defending champions Dubai Police being the other — to end their preliminary round with an unbeaten record. On Sunday night, Bin Darwish registered a 4-2 win in their final league match against Catalonia Youth to head Group D with 12 points.
But Qasim, a former defender who has played alongside Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro at Al Ahli, was far from pleased with the way last year’s runners-up got their three points. “This is not what I expected, but we will take the three points and the honour of finishing at the top of the group. But we need to do much more if we are to be there to challenge for the trophy,” Qasim told Gulf News.
It was Catalonia Youth who took the lead in the third minute when Faisal Mohammad squeezed one between two defenders. Former Al Nasr playmaker Rashid Jalal, who is yet to choose a club for next season, found the equaliser in the ninth minute with a stiff grounder as the teams walked off for the break 1-1.
A quick brace from Ali Darwish early in the second half helped settle Bin Darwish’s nerves. But the nippy Yasser Abbas managed to pull one back in the 33rd minute and keep things alive for Catalonia Youth. Salem Saeed then settled the issue a minute from the end when he drew out the Catalonia Youth goalkeeper with a clever feint and tapped into an empty goal.
Strong side
Now with Division Two side Dibba Al Hosn, Qasim felt his side is clever enough to improve with each passing match. “Historically, Dubai Police have a strong side each year as this is their tournament and they want to do well. But this year we are better prepared, and I think we have the team to challenge them for the title,” Qasim related.
“Now we need to take a few days break and start preparing for the knockout stages, where competition is going to get even tougher,” he added.
In another match, Team 88 paced themselves well for a 3-1 win over the Rashid Bin Ammar team to keep their hopes alive in Group C.