DUBAI // Cosmin Olaroiu has urged his Al Ahli side to maintain focus during a vital period in the club’s season, with dual assignments in the Asian Champions League and President’s Cup to come in the space of a week.
Ahli’s 2-1 victory against Kalba on Thursday night set up a President’s Cup quarter-final clash with Dubai club on May 23, a tie sandwiched between their double-header against Al Ain in the last 16 of the Champions League.
On Wednesday, Ahli host their Garden City rivals at the Rashid Stadium, before travelling to the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium for the return leg seven days later. It represents a frenetic spell for last year’s President’s Cup finalists, coming a week after they brought down the curtain on a disappointing Arabian Gulf League defence. The 2013/14 UAE champions finished seventh.
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However, while Olaroiu insists the Champions League should take priority, he said his players would do everything they could to progress in both competitions.
“For us, the game on May 23 is difficult,” he said. “These two matches against Al Ain are very important, and in my opinion the players should concentrate in training and do everything to play these two games.
“Now the cup match interferes, and it’s not easy for this squad to have to play after two days and again three days later in the Champions League. But we have to try our best. The only good thing is we don’t have to travel. We’ll be near here.”
Olaroiu warned Ahli not to underestimate Dubai, especially after the Division One side defeated Al Wahda on penalties on Thursday. Should Ahli advance, they will remain on course for a record ninth President’s Cup crown. Last year, they were beaten 1-0 in the final by Al Ain.
“We have to treat Dubai very seriously — don’t think it’s a team from the second division,” Olaroiu said. “They already gave a good example in the game against Al Wahda.
“If we don’t take them seriously, for sure we can have a surprise. But I hope our players now will concentrate on the Champions League match. We have to look for the first step — the most important — and after we’re going to think about the next one.”
Asked when Ahli will turn attention to the next campaign, Olaroiu replied: “We haven’t finished this season, to already think what to change for the next one. The most important is we have to think about the next games, we have one very difficult week. When the season is completely finished, for sure we’re going to talk and see what we have to do to improve for next year.”
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