Abu Dhabi: The seventh week of football’s Etisalat Cup will be contested on Thursday night during the one-day break of the 21st Gulf Cup in Bahrain.
In the first group, leaders Al Wahda, who have 13 points from five matches, will face bottom team Al Shaab, with five points from as many matches, in Sharjah.
Meanwhile second-placed Al Ain, who have eight points from four matches, will host Dubai, who have four points behind.
And while Al Wahda and Al Ain will miss the services of many key players with the national team in the Gulf Cup like Esmail Mattar, Hamdan Al Kamali and Saeed Al Kathiri from Al Wahda in addition to Omar Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Ahmad, Dawood Sulaiman and Muhannad Al Enazy from Al Ain, Dubai and Al Shaab will have full-strength line-ups.
Moutaz Abdullah, the former Al Wahda and UAE goalkeeper, is expected to make his debut with his new club, Al Shaab, after joining them from Emirates club on Tuesday.
In the second group, leaders Al Wasl, who have nine points from five matches, will face Al Dhafra, fourth with six points from four matches, in Madinat Zayed.
Meanwhile Al Jazira, who are third with seven points, will play against second-placed Bani Yas, who have nine points from five matches.
The two encounters of Group B look well-balanced despite the fact that both Bani Yas and Al Jazira will miss the services of five players each due to UAE commitments at the Gulf Cup.
