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Dubai: Al Shabab coach Toninho Cerezo has hailed his young side for their hard work and grit after being crowned the new league champions.
"I had a gut feeling we could be champions this year by the end of our first training session itself," Cerezo told Gulf News as the team celebrated late into the night at the club premises in Al Mamzar on Thursday.
Al Shabab hit the ground running at the start of the season with successive wins against Hatta, Al Ain, Al Ahli, Emirates and Al Nasr to collect full points and lead the table after five rounds.
However, they stumbled at a crucial stage starting with a 1-1 home draw against Al Wahda followed by a 2-1 away loss to Al Shaab in December.
The champions began 2008 with a win against Al Dhafra and Sharjah, only then to fall 2-1 to Al Wasl.
They came back strongly with a 2-1 win against Al Jazira but then stumbled to a shock defeat at home against Hatta. That seemed to be a wake-up call as they beat Al Ain 4-3, but again they lasped and were handed a 4-0 spanking by neighbours and title aspirants Al Ahli.
With morale at an all-time low, they then drew matches against Emirates, Al Wahda, Al Shaab and Al Dhafra.
"Those four matches woke us up and the players realised that they had to regroup as a team," Cerezo pointed out.
"Luckily for us, teams like Al Jazira also slipped a bit and I realised that the title would be decided in the last match against Al Jazira," the Brazilian said.
With the new professional league being launched next season, Cerezo says he is planning to work with players who will adapt to his way of thinking.
"I have a vision for the club for the new season and for this I will need true professionals to be with me," Cerezo said.
"I plan to have a group of players who will be at my disposal for 24 hours," the coach added.
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