Abu Dhabi: The fifth week of the UAE Professional Football League (UFL) commences tonight with Al Dhafra hosting Al Wahda and Al Ain playing Al Shabab at home.
Al Dhafra are still reeling from their defeat to Al Wasl last week which dropped them down to sixth with six points, while Al Wahda are still third following their 4-1 victory over Al Shabab — a result which saw the end of Brazilian coach Toninho Cerezo's spell at the Dubai club. Abdul Wahab Abdul Gadir was appointed new head coach.
"We are ready for the match against Al Wahda," said Ahmad Omran Al Qubeissi, supervisor of Al Dhafra told Gulf News on Wednesday.
"We have great respect for Al Wahda as one of the country's best teams but we have proved to be a good team and we want to continue our good start to the season."
Missing
Nigerian Abbass Muyiwa Lawal will return to Al Dhafra's line-up after missing their last match through injury, while Tawfig Abdul Razzag, the former Al Wahda midfielder, will face his old colleagues for the first time today. Meanwhile, Yagoub Yousuf and Saleh Al Minhali, who spent last season with Al Dhafra on loan, will feature in the Al Wahda line-up.
Abdullah Al Noobi, the former Al Wahda wingback who has since joined Al Dhafra, will miss the match after being sent off in his team's last match against Al Wasl.
The good news for Al Wahda is the return of ace striker Esmail Mattar who missed his team's last two matches because of an injury sustained while on duty with the country's national team.
In the late show tonight, league leaders Al Ain will host Al Shabab, who are currently tenth.
Injury
Al Ain, who settled for a 2-2 tie with joint leaders Al Jazira last week, will have the services of captain Jorge Valdivia and striker Emerson who both missed the Abu Dhabi derby because of a one-match suspension and injury respectively.
Al Shabab will miss both Abdullah Darwish, who was sent off against Al Wahda, and captain Adil Abdullah after he collected three yellow cards.
The opportunity is there for the club's young players, who shone with the UAE youth team in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Egypt earlier this month, to play including Mohammad Ahmad and Abdul Aziz Haikal.
Friday's matches include Ajman hosting Bani Yas and Al Nasr playing at home against Al Wasl in the Zaabeel Derby, while on Saturday Emirates club will host Al Jazira in Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ahli will play at home against Sharjah.
