ABU DHABI // Javier Aguirre, the Al Wahda manager, has labelled their Arabian Gulf League game against Al Ain as a "clasico", and one that they need to win to keep their title ambitions alive.
Al Wahda sit sixth in the table, three points and three places off Friday night’s opponents, but Aguirre said it was important to try and secure three points at the Al Nahyan Stadium if his side want to keep pace with the league leaders.
“There are a few teams challenging for the league title, and Al Ain are heading that group,” the Mexican said.
“This is a game we want to win for our fans, particularly after the defeat to Al Ahli. It’s an important game for us because three points against Al Ain will keep us in a good position when we go into the second round.”
Al Ain will be without the suspended Danilo Asprilla. The Colombian winger has been handed a one-match ban and a Dh50,000 fine by the Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in a scuffle against Al Wasl last week.
Aguirre, however, does not believe Asprilla’s absence will make the beaten Asian Champions League finalists any weaker.
“They are a team with quality in every line. So Asprilla’s absence is not going to have a big impact on them,” he said.
On his side’s form this season, which has yielded four wins, four draws and two defeats from 10 league games, Aguirre said: “I’m happy with the performance of my team but it hasn’t matched the results, which has been a bit worrying at times.”
Meanwhile Al Wasl, Al Shabab and Al Nasr will be hoping to bounce back from defeats with all in action on Thursday night.
Second-placed Wasl are at home to Dibba and Shabab make the long trip to the Western Region to take on Al Dhafra in the two early games.
Nasr face a Baniyas side buoyed by their first win of the season last week against Kalba in the late fixture. Kalba meet Emirates in Thursday's other match.
Rodolfo Arruabarrena, the Wasl manager, has warned his players to guard against complacency when they meet a Dibba side currently 12th in the standings and one point above the relegation zone.
“If we are not 100 per cent focused then Dibba will cause us a lot of problems,” the Argentine said.
“There should be no difference in preparation for matches with big teams or so-called ‘small’ teams. We need to study the opponent and then focus on what we have to do to break them down during the match.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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