The UAE’s representatives in the first West Asia Champions League could yet become triumphant pioneers.
But if Abu Dhabi Saracens are to be the first name inscribed on the new competition’s trophy, they will be reliant on results in other matches going their way this week after losing in Qatar on Friday.
Doha, the Gulf Premiership holders, beat Saracens 19-14 on home soil in the tournament opener. It meant Doha avenged the defeat they suffered in the final match of last season - to decide the top side in the Middle East - at the first opportunity.
“It doesn’t matter what league or competition it is, everyone wants to win and there are derby matches and fixtures you want to win,” Saracens coach Steve Hamilton said.
“(Doha) were out there to prove a point, and in a way it was good to be on the receiving end of that. It is a compliment to us and what we achieved last season.
“I thought we rose to the challenge. It was just unfortunate. There are a few key areas we have to go away and look at.
“We are targeting the next two games in this competition, and that should put us in a really good position for the start of the UAE Premiership season (on September 25).”
Giovano Fourie, the Saracens hooker, opened the scoring, only for the home side to build a 19-7 lead. Garth van Niekirk, a summer recruit for Saracens, crossed for a late consolation try on his debut.
Saracens will bid to get their challenge back on track when they host Kandy, Sri Lanka’s leading club, at Al Ghazal on Tuesday evening.
Kandy play Olymp, the 2014 champions of Kazkahstan, at The Sevens, Dubai this evening in the second match of the competition.
The Abu Dhabi side complete their Champions League campaign when they face Olymp in Dubai on Friday.
“We all want to win this competition, but the big aim, and what everyone is building for, is the start of the Premiership,” Hamilton said.
“This is a great tool. It can help the teams raise awareness of the sport. After the efforts of last season, it is a real honour to be involved with this.
“In the back of our minds we are thinking about how best we can utilise this so we can go into the first game of the Premiership and be well set.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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