Guangzhou R & F coach Farias has hailed Nigeria forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni after his goal-scoring debut for his new Chinese club in a derby.
Farias said he has always known that Yakubu would be a good buy who will use his experience of having played in Europe to bear on the team, which he did by scoring the match winner against champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
“I thought we could win the game, I know Yakubu will be good for us at the crucial moments, the team played well, but Yakubu was key to our victory as he scored the all-important goal,” said coach Farias.
“He did what is expected of him by lifting the team. It was a tough game and we should not forget we played champions.
“I said before that Yakubu coming from Europe to China will be a boost for us, although he is not 100% fit, but I put him into the fray because I know his wealth of experience will do it for us.
“And he is a very strong, and he used that to trouble our opponents. I considered all these before I picked him and he gave us the edge upfront.”
After 17 matches, Yakubu’s club have climbed to fifth place on the table with 27 points, nine points behind champions and league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande FC.
-MTNfootball
