Dubai: Carlos Villanueva believes the fight for this season’s Arabian Gulf League title will be a close affair between five or six teams.
After eight rounds of the total 26, Al Shabab are in third place with 15 points behind leaders Al Wahda (18) and Al Jazira (17). Al Nasr (14), Al Ain (13) and defending champions Al Ahli (13) occupy the next three places.
“The competition is going to be very equal this time. Al Wahda is there and so is Al Jazira, as they are scoring many goals. And then there is Al Ahli and Al Ain, while Al Nasr is a solid team too,” Villanueva told Gulf News.
“There is not going to be a big difference like how Al Ahli ran away with the title last season. It’s going to be very close with four or five teams having a big chance for the title,” he predicted.
Al Shabab are very much among the mix, he feels. “We have a good chance no doubt. Some of the teams above us may drop points against some lower teams and then it will be to our advantage,” the Chilean said.
“But, for the time-being, our plan is always to take things one game at a time and get the maximum points each time,” he added.
