Petrescu hopes history doesn’t repeat itself
dubai — Dan Petrescu is itching to slip into the blues of Al Nasr and get on the field and play. But at 49, the Romanian is perhaps, a tad too old for that. But back in the day, as a full back, Petrescu had a highly distinguished career with Chelsea, winning four titles during his fiveyear with The Blues.
Now, wearing the managerial cap, Petrescu is hoping he can spur an injury-ravaged Al Nasr to the prestigious President’s Cup title. The Blue Wave stand at the cusp of the Cup but run into a side who have had the measure of them of late. Al Nasr have become Hatta’s bunny, so to speak, having lost both their fixtures to the newcomers in the UAE top flight. And revenge, more than anything will be on Al Nasr’s mind when they square off again, this time in the semifinal of the President’s Cup, at the Rashid Stadium on Thursday.
And Petrescu hopes that history won’t repeat itself. “Of course, it is a challenge for the players and me as well. I’m a bad loser, I don’t like to lose. I hate to lose. I wish I can play this match, I would like to play this match. I want to show something, I want to fight. But I’m too old and I cannot do it,” Petrescu said at his pre-match press briefing at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Tuesday.
Even though Hatta have got the better of Al Nasr twice, Petrescu feels there are no favourites when it comes to the semifinal or the final.
“History doesn’t play, the players play. If they (Hatta) have won two times, they are better. That is the result and we have to accept it. But even if they have beaten us two times, even if we have a big history, semifinals and finals, no favourites. We have not been lucky with players being injured or suspended, but hopefully, the luck will come,” he said.
The President’s Cup is Al Nasr’s only chance of silverware this season and also carries the added bonus of an AFC Champions League spot for next term.
“Of course, it is a very important match for the club, for the players and everybody associated with the club and who work for the club. We are coming after a defeat and it is not the best way to go into a semifinal. And we know that in the Cup game, if we lose, we are out of the competition. That’s why the Cup is totally different than the League. In the League, if you lose, you have another game to play. But here, no. Being a semifinal, I’m sure it is going to be tough game, I’m sure it will be a very close game and maybe the first goal will win the match. Normally, the semifinals and final, the chances are always 50/50,” said Petrescu.
Al Nasr have been riddled with injuries right through the season and so is the case again with their striker Wanderley, who is still out through a left hamstring injury sustained during the League game against Ittihad Kalba in the League. Moroccan midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada too is easing his way back and was substituted on the hour against Hatta in the last league game,
“I think this has been the problem all season for Al Nasr. I think there is no club in the world that can play without a striker for most of the season. This is the reality and we cannot change nothing. We know that we miss all these players and I was not lucky to have a fully fit squad for not even one week. That has been my biggest problem here. But hopefully other players will shine and do something special for the team,” hoped Petrescu.
Al Nasr’s Lebanese defender Joan Oumari knew the importance of the President’s Cup. “As the coach said, it is a very important game for us, for the team and the club. We know that the President’s Cup is the most important Cup in the UAE.”
james@khaleejtimes.com