Al Shabab and Al Dhafra both trying to keep pace in Arabian Gulf League

Shabab, second in the Arabian Gulf League standings for much of this term, return to league action on Friday against Al Dhafra knowing anything less than victory will tighten Al Ahli’s grip on the top-flight trophy, writes John McAuley.

Al Shabab manager Marcos Paqueta, right, says a defeat last week will not affect his side on Friday in their meeting with Al Dhafra. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

DUBAI // Six points behind Al Ahli at the Arabian Gulf League summit, Al Shabab are determined to maintain pressure on their title rivals before the two clubs meet next month in what could be a season-defining encounter.

Shabab, second in the standings for much of this term, return to league action on Friday night against Al Dhafra knowing anything less than victory will tighten Ahli’s grip on the top-flight trophy.

A win for Shabab against the Western Region club could close the gap to three points, which would then turn up the heat on Ahli, who face a daunting trip to Al Ain, the reigning champions, on Sunday night. Shabab and Ahli meet on April 27.

Dhafra, too, represent a significant test, though, as Abdullah Misfir’s side are seventh in the table, five points off an Asian Champions League place with seven matches remaining.

They have faced Shabab three times already this campaign, first triumphing 5-0 in the League Cup before the Dubai club avenged that defeat with a 6-2 win at Dhafra in the league.

The last clash between the pair, in the quarter-finals of the President’s Cup in January, saw Dhafra emerge victorious 1-0. Understandably, Marcos Paqueta, the Shabab coach, expects the next instalment to be a stern examination of his side’s title credentials.

“Now we’re back to the league programme and we start with a very difficult match against Dhafra, who are always a tough opponent,” he said. “In the two losses to them this season, we were missing two or three of our principal players, but this time we have a full squad to choose from.

“Our target is to win the match and maintain our position in second place until we face Ahli.”

Although league matches were last played in late February, Shabab have been busy during the mini-break, participating in friendlies against the New York Cosmos and Al Wasl, while also contesting the group stages of the Gulf Clubs Championship.

Last week, Shabab lost 1-0 at home to Bahraini side Al Muharraq to leave them with one point from two matches, yet Paqueta does not believe the result will have any impact on how his players approach Dhafra.

“I don’t think so, because every competition is different and this is our way of thinking,” he said. “We’re trying to separate each competition from the other, so the Gulf cup is a completely different scenario to the league. It’s not going to affect us here.”

Should Shabab slip up, fourth-placed Sharjah will seek to take advantage with a home victory against Al Nasr later on Friday. Paulo Bonamigo’s men are five points off second but will be intent on prevailing given that Nasr are fifth and direct rivals for a Champions League place next season.

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