DUBAI // With the Asian Champions League looming on the horizon, Al Ahli acknowledge the importance of quickly racking up points in the Arabian Gulf League as they seek a first top-flight title in five years. The table toppers have been the standout side in the country’s premier competition this season, recording 10 victories from 15 matches to hold a three-point lead over second-placed Al Shabab.
That places them in an enviable position heading into Thursday night’s clash against Dubai rivals Al Nasr at the Rashid Stadium, with Ahli’s closest competitors not playing until Friday.
Doubling their advantage is therefore viewed as vital, especially with Ahli’s upcoming fixture list: commencing their Champions League campaign on February 26, Cosmin Olaroiu’s men must negotiate a daunting Group D while also featuring in high-profile domestic matches against Al Ain, Sharjah and Al Jazira. Thus, the schedule places greater emphasis on the next few rounds in the Arabian Gulf League.
“For sure, we’ve a very difficult programme beginning with the Champions League, and for this reason we must be very concentrated on these games before we start,” said Catalin Raducan, the Ahli assistant coach. “But until then, we must focus on the league.
“It’s difficult; we look at the programme and, from February 15 to May 15, we’ll have 15 or 16 official games, which isn’t easy. However, we must do everything to very carefully manage the situation and to take the maximum from the players.”
Raducan accepts Nasr represent a formidable obstacle this evening, despite Ivan Jovanovic’s side having lost their past two matches. The stutter has seen them slide to seventh in the standings, although an encounter against the league leaders, not to mention a club just across the city, is sure to provide sufficient impetus. Ahli expect a stiff examination, but Raducan is confident his team will still emerge victorious.
“The players are ready – ready to go on the pitch and win this game and we hope to give everything to do it,” he said. “When you’re at Al Ahli you must know all the time that you have pressure. Every time you go on the pitch you play with pressure. I don’t think it will affect the players.”
Similarly, Nasr approach the match with particular relish. Successive defeats, to Al Wahda and Al Shaab, have understandably rankled, and Jovanovic sees a confrontation with Ahli as the perfect tonic.
“From my experience, big games like this are the best games for a player to play,” he said. “And with such games you don’t need to prepare so much because they give you all you need to be 100 per cent.
“This game is a good chance for us to try and fix what we did last week. It’s a great challenge, but as a team we have to try a lot in the game.”
Asked if he thought Ahli were unstoppable – only twice this term have they tasted defeat – Jovanovic added: “I don’t believe there are teams in the league that are unbeatable. We have to present ourselves well and show we’re ready to win against Al Ahli.”
Emirates v Al Wahda
Jose Peseiro’s Abu Dhabi side seek to continue an upwards surge in the table when they travel to meet an Emirates team trying to stay clear of a relegation fight.
Wahda have won seven points from their past three league matches. Their Argentinian duo of Sebastian Tagliabue and Damian Diaz have 18 of the side’s 26 league goals.
Emirates have two points from four league matches, though they were happy to salvage one last week when Jair’s goal gave them a home draw with Dubai.
Baniyas v Dubai
Jorge da Silva’s side have scored more than one goal only once in seven league matches, and the 4-1 victory over bottom side Ajman is their lone victory since November 29.
The South American duo of Carlos Munoz and Luis Farina have not been as sharp as they were early.
Umberto Barberis and his Dubai club find themselves in the drop zone after winning only two points from seven league matches.
The Syrian midfielder Jehad Al Hussein has scored in each of three matches since joining the club.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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