The National’s Sport cover for the Wednesday, May 20 issue, featuring Al Ain and Al Ahli as they prepare for the first leg of their last 16 contest in the Asian Champions League.
John McAuley previews the match, talking to managers Zlatko Dalic and Cosmin Olaroiu, both carrying big expectations that their clubs proceed into the quarter-finals:
“Zlatko Dalic says his Al Ain side have nothing to fear ahead of their Asian Champions League tie against Al Ahli.
“The UAE champions travel to their main domestic rivals on Wednesday for the first leg of the last-16 continental encounter, knowing Ahli represent a significant obstacle to their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
“Al Ain, semi-finalists last year, come into the match at the Rashid Stadium in fine form, however, having earlier this month lifted a 12th league title. Ahli, meanwhile, struggled throughout their Arabian Gulf League title defence, finishing seventh.
“The two teams know each other well, since they have spent the past few years battling one another for a succession of trophies. Ahli, now led by Cosmin Olaroiu, the former Al Ain coach, defeated the Garden City club in the Super Cup in March, although Al Ain won the most recent meeting – a 1-0 victory in the league.”
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