Abu Dhabi: Al Jazira’s Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini is hoping for a repeat of last month’s 4-3 league win at home to Al Ain when the two sides meet in the second group match of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Thursday.
Four goals from Montenegrin striker Mirko Vucinic saw The Spiders come back from 2-1 behind to win the league derby last month, but in the league cup both sides are desperate to bounce back from opening defeats.
Al Jazira lost 1-0 away to Al Nasr and Al Ain lost 1-0 at home to Ittihad Kalba when the six-match group phase kicked off last month. Only the top two teams from two groups of seven will progress to the semi-finals, meaning both teams will have to start picking up points.
“It’s a derby between Al Jazira and Al Ain,” said Lanzini. “I hope the fans will come to watch and support us as they did before when we beat them 4-3 in the Arabian Gulf League earlier this season.
“Hopefully we can repeat the same result, but not by the same scoreline. It would be great to win against them again, but this time to concede fewer goals.”
Elsewhere, the second placed team in Group A, Ittihad Kalba, who got off to a shock start over Al Ain, will host group leaders Al Shabab on Wednesday while Emirates travel to Bani Yas in a mid-table battle in Group B and Group A stragglers Al Wasl will take on mid-table Ajman.
In Thursday’s other games, Group A leaders Al Ahli entertain second-placed Al Dhafra and second-from-bottom Fujairah will host third-placed Sharjah in Group B.
