No GCC Champions League hangover for Al Ahli

Dubai: Al Ahli captain Batista "Grafite" Libanio insists his side aren't consumed by thoughts of GCC Champions League final revenge, as they take on defending champions Al Shabab in the Etisalat Cup final on Monday night. 

The Red Knights threw away a 3-2 home leg lead with a 2-0 loss away to Al Shabab in the regional showcase last November, resulting in the dismissal of coach Ivan Hasek. 

But reminders of this were rebuffed on Sunday as Grafite and Hasek's successor Quique Sanchez Flores addressed the press at Al Nasr's Maktoum Stadium, where the game will begin on Monday night from 7:45pm. 

Grafite, who has netted 27 goals in 31 appearances this season, said: "I have a good feeling about this match because although this is the same side that lost the GCC Champions League final we are in a different situation now." 

"It's the same players, the same confidence but our character has improved on last year. We'll enter the field for a good game and lift the cup - this is my feeling," Grafite said. 

Flores added: "For me the GCC Champions League final is far from my mind. I obviously didn't live the situation but I know what happened in the final. For me it's very far from my mind and almost non existent heading into this match." 

Paulo Bonamigo, whose Shabab side aim to defend their Etisalat Cup crown, having beaten Al Ain 3-2 at this stage last season, said: "We don't consider, or prefer not to talk about Al Ahli getting revenge against us. It may sound strange or rough to use this word. We prefer to see this as another final." 

"It will be a tough game considering both sides showed lots of improvement and managed to reach the GCC Champions League final. Both teams deserve to be here and both played brilliant football to get this far. There will be no unfair play, we expect to play a serious final and we're not thinking about Al Ahli ‘taking revenge'." 

Despite the fact that Shabab enter with two recent titles to Al Ahli's none, Bonamigo didn't wave the favourites tag, saying: "In a final there are no favourites. We have to respect one another. Both teams have plenty of chance to win this final - the chances are equal." 

"I consider Al Ahli to be one of the best team's in the UAE. Their results have proven they are in a good moment so it's going to be a very difficult derby. I hope we reach the same standard as when we played the GCC Champions League final. It was a difficult moment but with high performance we have shown we are capable of beating Al Ahli," Bonamigo said.