The Kalba team fell into a goalless draw with its guest, Baniyas, last Saturday, in the 25th round of the ADNOC Professional League. This result contributed to keeping both teams at risk of relegation, although to a lesser extent than the Khorfakkan and Falcons teams.
It was noteworthy for Kalba, whose results declined significantly in the last rounds, that it was the team that received the most red cards this season, with 10 cards in eight matches, which contributed greatly to depriving it of 19 points. Khor Fakkan comes next with seven cards. In the eight matches that witnessed expulsions of Kalba players, it lost five times, tied twice, and won once, which was against Al Ain (1-0). A quarter of these points could have ensured the official and early survival of Kalba.
In the last three matches, Kalba received three red cards, one card in each match, during the matches between Baniyas, Al Wasl and Al Ain. Kalba occupies 10th place, with 25 points, and must win or draw in its last match against Khor Fakkan, in order to ensure official survival, regardless of the results of others.
The red cards for Kalba players were two cards each for Daniel Bessa and Philip Kish, then one card each for Sultan Adel, Abdulaziz Hamad, Salem Rashid, Muhammad Sabeel, Mehdi Qaidi and Germano.
International lecturer and former coach Omar Al-Hammadi told “Emirates Al-Youm”: “The psychological pressure due to the team’s position in the league standings contributes to the players getting red cards,” and he added: “The matter is also related to some discretionary arbitration decisions, in addition to the administrative and technical bodies.” They have a responsibility to guide the players and reduce psychological pressure, and rough play and contact is another factor that leads to expulsion. In the case of Kalba, a large number of cards were due to the rush of some players to move the ball away from the danger zone, in addition to excessive recklessness.
. .
