Abu Dhabi: Al Ain will have the services of their key centre-back Esmail Ahmad for their crucial AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg clash against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh on Monday.
“I wish to inform that I’m full fit for the clash against Al Hilal and I’m keen to put in my best efforts for the team to qualify for the semis,” said Ahmad adding it was testing times for him being out of action with injury but he has come out of it stronger.
He was of the view that Hilal will be under pressure to deliver in front of home fans and though it will a tough contest, Al Ain will be giving their best to ensure a semis berth.
“Our goal is clear, to return from Riyadh having qualified for semis. We will have to keep the tempo going from start to end. We have the required degree of readiness to deal with such big games,” said Ahmad, who also revealed that coach Zoran Mamic has given them a lot of confidence and so they are motivated for the clash.
Emirates beat Sharjah 2-0
Meanwhile, the Arabian Gulf Cup clash between Emirates and Sharjah turned out to be a bizarre one with both sides muffing a staggering number of scoring opportunities.
The teams kept running out of ideas once inside the box even after the switchover. It was only in the 61st minute that Emirates’ Moroccan recruit Abdul Gani Mouaui finally got that elusive touch to slot home a cross from the right by Ahmad Malalla. Then with Malalla again setting one for Argentine Sebastian Saez to score in the 80th minute, Sharjah’s fate was sealed.
