Al Ahli chase redemption as they face Al Nasr

Dubai: Al Ahli will have to find a quick solution to their shortcomings if they intend to resurrect their campaign with an away fixture against city rivals Al Nasr in 10th week action of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) this weekend.

Outright champions last season with a dominating record of 64 points from their 20 wins and four draws last year, the Red Knights have been floundering this season. Their latest blip was last week’s embarrassing 1-0 loss at the hands of Emirates Club.

At the same stage of the campaign last season, Al Ahli had dropped just two points — a 1-1 draw against Sharjah that was followed by a 2-2 result against Al Jazira. But this year, the Red Knights have clearly been struggling as they lie mid-table in seventh place with 13 points to show.

After nine rounds, the defending champions’ league report reads as follows: three wins, two losses and four draws, not exactly what coach Cosmin Olaroiu must have been expecting from a team that won three out of the four trophies last season.

League leaders Al Wahda will be looking to break away from the rest as they host Al Dhafra, while last week’s big winners Sharjah will be expecting their strikers to deliver once again as they host Fujairah, who slipped just above the relegation zone following their 7-0 mauling at the hands of Bani Yas last week.

In other matches, Al Shabab will be looking towards another strong performance as they play host to Ajman in Thursday’s second late night fixture, while Bani Yas will be hoping to see their true strength of character as they host second-placed Al Jazira in Friday’s early encounter.

Emirates Club will be hoping to continue with their winning effort as they entertain Gabriel Calderon’s Al Wasl, while cellar-placed Kalba will hope they start collecting points as they host former champions Al Ain.