Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu is thinking ‘positive’ ahead of Asian Champions League clash in Jeddah

Saudi Arabian group leaders are determined to win every game at home while the Dubai club are second on five points following a 1-0 away win over Uzbekistan club Nasaf Qarshi last time out, writes Ahmed Rizvi.

Luis Garces, left, of the UAE’s Al Ahli could help his team climb to top of their group when they visit Jeddah on Tuesday. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

DUBAI // Cosmin Olaroiu said he expects his Al Ahli side to return from Jeddah with “a positive result” when they meet their Saudi Arabian namesake on Tuesday night.

The Saudi club are unbeaten in this season’s Asian Champions League and sit top of Group D with eighth points from four matches, while the Dubai club are second on five points following a 1-0 away win over Uzbekistan club Nasaf Qarshi last time out.

Olaroiu wants his team to earn a similar result against the 2012 Asian champions as they try to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time.

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“We will be facing the strongest team of the group,” Olaroiu said of his opponents, who split points with the deposed Arabian Gulf League champions in the opening round following an entertaining 3-3 draw.

“They played a really strong game on our home ground and are doing well in the Saudi league at home.

“The also have excellent players. They have local players at a very high level like Hussain Al Mogahwi, but my team is here seeking a positive result and I hope the fans in the stands will find this game as entertaining as the one they saw in the first round.

“Ahli play positive, open football and we have the same idea.

“The plan is to play open football, put up a strong and enjoyable show for everyone and leave Saudi Arabia with a positive ­result.”

The Saudi club’s Swiss coach Christian Gross said his side are targeting another home win after seeing off Nasaf Qarshi 2-1 and Tractor Sazi 2-0 in their two home matches at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City stadium. “Our target is to make sure we win all our matches at home,” he said.

He added that his team aim to get “the three points to ensure qualification” for the knockout stages ahead of a trip to Uzbekistan for their last group game.

Olaroiu’s men will play their final match at home, against Iranian club Tractor Sazi, who host Nasaf in the other group game today. Those two teams have four points each.

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