The Arabian Gulf League’s top two teams, Al Ahli and Al Ain, meet in Dubai on Thursday in a match that will go some way to deciding the title race. John McAuley looks at where it will be won and lost.
In the dugout
The match at the Rashid Stadium is the ninth meeting between Ahli’s Cosmin Olaroiu and Al Ain’s Zlatko Dalic, with the duel 3-2 in the latter’s favour, suggesting Dalic knows how to nullify Ahli. The two coaches, each vastly experienced in the Gulf, emphasise attacking football and on the surface employ very similar systems, although there are variations in their 4-2-3-1 formations. Both are tactically astute, but in theory Olaroiu should hold the upper hand: he has managed Al Ain, he knows the club and its Emirati players well, while he is a master motivator, too. In the white-hot heat of this title scrap, that can prove decisive.
• See also: Al Ain 'must win' at Al Ahli to remain UAE champions, demands coach Zlatko Dalic
In Al Ain’s defence
During the past two seasons, much of Al Ain’s success has been built on a solid base. In clinching the title last season, the champions conceded 19 goals, by far the best record in the division. This season, they have been breached 20 times, second only to Ahli. However, there was a spell during the past two months when Al Ain were uncharacteristically shaky at the back, especially in the Asian Champions League, with Ismail Ahmed ropy and Mohanad Salem struggling alongside him. Admittedly, they have rebounded, but in Ahli, the pair will face the league’s most potent attack. Moussa Sow and Ciel have been in fine form, particularly. Shackle Ahli’s talented attack and Al Ain have enough going forward to nick the victory.
In chief conductors
The UAE’s two most accomplished playmakers are on display, with Everton Ribeiro pulling the strings for Ahli and Omar Abdulrahman doing likewise for Al Ain. Each sets the tempo, exploits space and supplies the service for respective teammates. As expected, they lead the assist charts: Abdulrahman 11, Ribeiro 8. Whichever side wins the midfield battle should take the points as well, so the contributions of the playmakers will be integral to the outcome. Abdulrahman is the UAE’s prize asset and has lived up to that billing this season after disappointing slightly last year, but Ribeiro possesses a better eye for goal. The Brazilian has struck six times in the league this campaign, Abdulrahman just twice. Both, though, are vital to their teams’ chances.
In the head
Given the rivalry, and typically what is at stake when they meet, matches between the two are always lively. Tension builds and tempers flare. Since Ahli emerged as a genuine threat to Al Ain in the 2012/13 season, that has only exacerbated, not helped by the supporters’ growing enmity. In the 1-1 draw last season, Carlos Munoz was sent off and a maddened Olaroiu promptly banished to the stands. Salmeen Khamis was shown a red card in the return fixture. Not surprisingly, the perennially combustible Khamis is suspended for losing his rag at the weekend, while both camps have predictably called for cool heads. Although heated battle can often stoke fires, it can distract from the task at hand. Keep calm and carry on to the title.
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