Dubai: Al Shabab and Al Nasr will battle it out to decide who heads off as group leader when the two sides meet in fourth-round action of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Wednesday.
After two rounds of action in the Arabian Gulf Cup, the teams will take a small ten-day break before they start the business end of the season with Round Nine of the Arabian Gulf League on November 29-30.
However, at the moment all attention is on the Arabian Gulf Cup that was last won by Al Shabab in 2011. The Hawks are currently at the top of Group A with nine points after three matches, while Al Nasr are in second with seven points following a couple of wins and a draw.
Of particular interest will be watching the progress of defending champions Al Ahli. The Red Knights have been caught struggling in all competitions so far this season. After winning three of the four trophies on offer last year, Al Ahli have been struggling with limited success this season.
However, they will have a chance to put things back on track when they meet Emirates Club at the Dubai Club ground in Al Aweer on Tuesday. The change in venue is due to repair work going on at the club’s ground in Al Ghusais.
In the Arabian Gulf League, they have managed three wins and four draws and a loss in the eight matches they have played so far to lie in sixth place. In the Cup they are even worse with just one win after three matches.
Both teams from Abu Dhabi also need to be watched. While Al Jazira have one win from three so far in Group A, Al Wahda will have to work even harder to get away from the bottom of Group B.
Al Jazira will host fellow strugglers and former champions Ajman in Wednesday’s early match, after Al Wahda host Sharjah the previous night.
