ABU DHABI // Javier Aguirre prepares his beleaguered Al Wahda side for a double-header over the next seven days that could shape their season.
First up is Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday followed by a meeting with Al Wehdat of Jordan in the Asian Champion League play-off on Tuesday.
Al Wasl are flying high in third in the AGL, seven points clear of fifth-placed Wahda, while the Jordanians pose an obvious obstacle to overcome to ensure participation in the continent’s premier club competition.
Aguirre has a raft of injuries and suspensions to key players to contend with as he attempts to navigate Wahda through these two crucial encounters.
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Wahda travel to the Zabeel stadium without Argentine striker Sebastian Tagliabue and Hungary winger Balazs Dzsudzsak – still serving out suspensions for the red cards they received in the 5-1 capitulation to Al Jazira two weeks ago – as well as influential playmaker and Jorge Valdivia who is still not match-fit after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined the Chile international for the past month.
Aguirre is also without the services of Emirati duo Mohammed Bargash and Hassan Zahran.
“Valdi [Valdivia] has fully recovered but he has to get match-fit,” Aguirre said. “We don’t want to rush and risk him by playing against Wasl but he should be ready for the ACL play-off.”
A win over Wehdat will earn Wahda a passage to Group B in the continental championship alongside Al Rayyan of Qatar, Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal and Persepolis of Iran.
While Aguirre is without the services of his foreign contingent, the Mexican is able to call on Rashed Ali after the Emirati goalkeeper served a one-match ban for a red card against Jazira, and Sultan Al Ghaferi and Ahmed Rashed, who served one-match bans for accruing three yellow cards each.
“We have dealt with the absence of more than half our key players previously and we can handle the situation again,” Aguirre said.
Wasl welcome Wahda buoyed by their derby win over Dubai rivals Al Nasr last time out, and Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side will be looking to leapfrog Al Ain into second place and close the gap on leaders Al Jazira who are seven points clear at the top.
In the early game Thursday, Sharjah make the long journey to Al Dhafra looking for a first win under new manager Jose Peseiro after four games in charge.
Leaders Jazira take on Kalba at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday, while Al Ain are at home to Al Nasr and Al Ahli travel to Dibba in the other games.
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