Asian Champions League: Cosmin Olaroiu urges caution from Al Ahli

Cosmin Olaroiu has told his Al Ahli players to beware a wounded Al Ahli Jeddah as the sides meet Monday in the first leg of their Asian Champions League last-16 encounter.

Al Ahli manager Cosmin Olaroiu. Pawan Singh / The National
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Cosmin Olaroiu has told his Al Ahli players to beware a wounded Al Ahli Jeddah as the sides meet Monday in the first leg of their Asian Champions League last-16 encounter.

The Saudi Arabians come into the match at King Abdullah Sports City on the back on Thursday’s crushing defeat to Al Hilal in the King’s Cup final.

Ahli lost 3-2 to their compatriots, meaning last year’s Saudi champions, who finished runners-up in the league, concluded the season without a major trophy.

In contrast, Dubai’s Ahli won the Arabian Gulf Cup in April, although they surrendered their Arabian Gulf League crown to Al Jazira to eventually finish third.

Both clubs are now eying progression to the quarter-finals in Asia’s premier tournament with Olaroiu’s men playing their first match since last week’s shock announcement that Ahli are to merge with Al Shabab and Dubai club to form Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.

For the moment, the Romanian is more concerned with getting a positive result to take back to Rashid Stadium in seven days’ time.

“I expect there to be more motivation among the Ahli [Jeddah] players after losing the King’s Cup final,” said Olaroiu, who guided his side to a runners-up finish in the 2015 Champions League.

“It will be a challenging match because Ahli are a strong team with players of high quality.

“But my players are used to delivering strong performances in difficult games and are ready for what awaits them against Al Ahli.”

The UAE side have been given a boost with the news Omar Al Somah, Ahli Jeddah’s prolific striker, has been ruled out of through injury.

Ahli Dubai, meanwhile, welcome back top-scorer Makhete Diop, who returns from suspension.

The two teams met in the group stages two years ago when Ahli Jeddah took four points from a possible six – including a 2-1 victory sealed deep into injury time at King Abdullah Sports City.

“Ahli’s squad includes big stars in Saudi Arabia and so they are able to compensate for the absence of Al Somah, although he is one of the best players in their team,” Olaroiu said.

“We expect the game will be played in front of a large crowd, but we won’t be affected by this pressure and can deal with well with the atmosphere.

“Ahli [Dubai] are always looking to win. To play for a draw is not in ours minds at all.”

Ahli defender Abdulaziz Haikal added: “Everybody knows the strength of Ahli [Jeddah] locally and in the Champions League, so we must fight tomorrow with high concentration to get a win to take back to the return leg in Dubai.”

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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