• Home
• /
• Football

Cannavaro 
back to winning ways

DUBAI — Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro finally has something to smile about in Dubai.

The 36-year-old defender, who signed with the Dubai-based Al Ahli football team in June, helped the club to their first victory in their home debut, a 4-1 win over cross-town rivals Al Wasl. After coming under fire for his sluggish play in the club’s 2-0, season-opening loss last month, he assisted on one goal and played solid defense in the team’s first win.

“I’m really glad we won tonight. It was a great achievement,” Cannavaro said through a translator. “But I can’t do it alone. It really took the entire team.”

The 36-year-old defender, who led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title but retired from international duty after the team’s dismal performance in the 2010 tournament in South Africa, is Al Ahli’s biggest signing. The club signed Cannavaro to a two-year deal for an undisclosed price.

He has been tasked with reviving the fortunes of the club which finished in the bottom half of the pro-league in 2009 after winning the league title in 2008.

And if Wednesday’s match was any indication, the club appears to be heading in the right direction.

Ahmed Kamis scored in the first minute to give Al Ahli an early lead and then Cannavaro’s crafty, back-heel flick found Ahmed Khalil who made it 2-0. Andre Luciano da Silva then scored the rebound off his missed penalty to make it 3-0 before halftime. Al Wasl pulled one back but Kamis netted his second after Ahli missed another penalty to make it 4-1.

Despite the victory, the transition to the UAE league has not been completely free of controversy for Cannavaro.

He opened hionsible in part for the two goals Italy allowed against Paraguay and New Zealand. His disappointing performance followed on the heels of a final season in Juventus where he often appeared past his prime.

In his home debut, the fans couldn’t get enough of the good-looking Italian. Shouts of ‘Cannavaro’ could be head over the cheers, drums and snake charmers horns. Most of the fans interviewed said they liked what they saw and felt he was a good signing.

“Mr Cannavaro is very nice, very nice,” said Marwan Tahri, an Al Ahli fan who works for the city transport agency. “He really directs the players and has great experience.”

Even fans of the losing side Al Wasl came away impressed, particularly by the fact he played for Italy and Juventus.

“He’s an international player and will be very valuable for the league,” said Abdul Salam Fairooz, who runs a sports marketing firm in Dubai. “You know, an international brand brings spectators and will give more international recognition to the league.”

Cannavaro, who played in his fourth World Cup and has a record 136 caps for Italy, has also played for Real Madrid and Inter Milan during his career. He signed for Al Ahli after Juventus said it would not exercise an extension on his contract. —