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أعلن الغرافة بطل الدوري القطري لكرة القدم تعاقده مع البرازيلي كايو جونيور مدرب فيسيل كوبي الياباني لخلافة مواطنه ماركوس باكيتا على رأس الجهاز الفني للفريق لمدة موسمين.
وكان باكيتا قد قاد الفريق في الموسمين الماضيين، لكن إدارة النادي لم تتوصل إلى اتفاق معه لتجديد العقد.
وأبدى جونيور الموجود في الدوحة منذ الأربعاء الماضي سعادته بتدريب فريق كبير مثل الغرافة بطل الدوري وكأس الأمير، مؤكدا سعيه للتركيز على دوري أبطال آسيا، إذ يرى أن الفريق لديه إمكانية كبيرة للمنافسة الجادة والفوز بلقبها للمشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية.
وأشار جونيور الى أنه يتابع الدوري القطري ويعرف الكثير عنه في ظل علاقاته بالعديد من المدربين واللاعبين البرازيليين الذين انضموا إليه، مشيرا إلى أن تجربته مع الغرافة جديدة باعتبارها المرة الأولى التي يقوم فيها بتدريب فريق عربي.
وبدأ كايو التدريب عام 2000 في البرازيل، فاشرف على بارانا حتى 2003، ثم انتقل إلى كيانورتي حتى 2005، وغراما في موسم 2005-2006، وعاد إلى بارانا عام 2006، قبل أن يشرف على بالميراس في الموسم التالي، ثم فلامينغو في موسم 2007-2008، وبدأ عمله خارج الحدود مع فيسيل كوبي الياباني في الموسم الماضي.

Al Gharafa's new coach Caio Junior tells Sajith B Warrier that winning the AFC Champions League is his top priority.

AL GHARAFA, the Qatar Stars League champions in the past two seasons, are on a high. They had also won the Emir's Cup last season and the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup the season before last.Their only blemish happened when they faltered in the group stage of Asia's premier club competition, the AFC Champions League, last year.After Brazilian Marcos Paqueta departed following two successful seasons, Gharafa appointed Caio Junior, also from Brazil, at the helm.Speaking to Doha Stadium Plus on the opening day of their camp last Monday, the former striker, whose original name is Luiz Carlos Saroli, insisted winning the continental title is on top of his agenda.Excerpts.

Q) Being the first stint in the Middle East, how do you look forward to the challenges ahead?

A) I know it's a great opportunity for me and I'm ready to grab it with both hands. I've heard a lot about Qatar and its passion for the game. I was employed with Japanese club Vissel Kobe and even then, I used to keep myself regularly updated about the Qatar Stars League (QSL) through television and DVDs. I've found the QSL to be very exciting and competitive, so I didn't think twice when I received the Gharafa offer. I feel honoured and privileged to be the coach of a champion team like Gharafa.

Q) Paqueta had set high standards at Gharafa. Will you be able to go even higher?

A) Hopefully, I'll be able to carry forward from where he had left off. From what I've seen and heard, Gharafa are one of the best teams in Asia. They've always had a good side, competent coaches and support staff. I know that I'm inheriting a rich legacy. It's a matter of time before I fit into their scheme of things. Q) Are you happy with the team at your disposal? Will there be more changes?A) Three new players have already been signed and there might be a few more changes here and there. But the nucleus of the team will remain the same. I've just started interacting with the players and my first impression is that the team looks promising and the boys are raring to go.

Q) You already have four foreign players. The new rule allows only three. Which player do you plan to offload?

A) Clemerson (Soares) is a seasoned campaigner. Then we've Fernando Lucio, Othman El Assas and Juninho,

who was signed recently. Our training has just started and we'll soon be leaving for Germany for a 20-day camp. A decision on offloading of players will be taken in due course.

Q) What're your immediate priorities?

A) Gharafa have been doing pretty well on the domestic scene. Now, we need to extend that form to the Asian level. The AFC Champions League is on top of my agenda. This year, Gharafa failed to qualify beyond the group stage. Hopefully, we should be able to set the record straight. Winning the AFC Champions League and earning automatic qualification for the Club World Cup is my top priority. But I'll be taking it one at a time. We've to do well at the domestic level too. Last year, we won two titles. Hopefully, we can increase the number this season.

Q) What'll be the main focus of the camp in Germany?

A) The main idea is to get all the players back to training. They need to be get back to their groove. We're likely to play a few friendly matches against some invitational teams during our stay in Germany. I've always backed youngsters. My focus will be on giving them more opportunities.