Walid Abbas said Shabab Al Ahli "will give all our efforts to make our fans happy" when they face Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in a crunch Asian Champions League play-off match on Tuesday.
The UAE champions face a tough challenge to reach the Champions League group stage, needing to eliminate Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and their Nassr team at Mrsool Park in Riyadh.
However, recent form will give Shabab Al Ahli some cause for optimism. The Dubai club opened their Adnoc Pro League title defence with a 3-0 win away at Ajman, despite playing more than 70 minutes with 10 men.
Contrastingly, Nassr have lost both of their Saudi Pro League games so far, following up a 2-1 defeat at Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq, which Ronaldo missed as an injury precaution, before a shock 2-0 home defeat to Al Taawoun with the Portuguese superstar back in the team.
Nassr did, however, start the season by winning the King Salman Club Cup trophy, defeating Al Hilal in the final.
Abbas is aware of the challenge awaiting Shabab Al Ahli but insisted the team will do all they can to secure victory and passage into the group stage.
"We will give all our efforts to make our fans happy," the 38-year-old captain said. "Our preparations went well, and we are ready for this important match."
The Shabab Al Ahli squad arrived in Riyadh on Monday and took part in a training session on the Mrsool Park pitch in the evening, and manager Marco Nikolic has backed his players to shine against Nassr.
"We will give our best against a strong opponent and we will strive to reach the next stage," he said. "We need to focus. We respect Al Nassr as a big team with good and experienced players [but] we also have quality players."
Only one UAE club have secured their place in the Champions League group stage - 2022 league champions Al Ain - but Sharjah are also aiming to join them when the back-to-back President's Cup winners take on Iranian side Tractor in Tabriz on Tuesday.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Fight card
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) v Rey Nacionales (PHI)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROM) v Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR)
Catch 74kg
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) v Omar Hussein (JOR)
Strawweight (Female)
Weronika Zygmunt (POL) v Seo Ye-dam (KOR)
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) v Walid Laidi (ALG)
Lightweight
Leandro Martins (BRA) v Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW)
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) v Sofiane Benchohra (ALG)
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR)
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Glen Ranillo (PHI)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Aidan Aguilera (AUS)
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) Sasha Palatnikov (HKG)
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR)
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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