Dubai: Al Ahli have reiterated that there will be no let down in their chase as they host lowly Dibba in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), on Saturday.
Going into the fourth round of matches, just four teams have managed to maintain an unsullied record so far. The Red Knights’ neighbours and arch-foes Al Shabab are the unlikely leaders at the top of the 14-team table with a maximum nine points after three matches, while Al Jazira with two wins and a draw are in second.
Defending champions Al Ahli and Al Ain — who had their third round tie last week postponed to a later date due to The Boss featuring in the AFC Champions League semi-finals against Qatar’s El Jaish — are in third and fourth, but also with an unbeaten record, with six points apiece.
“Dibba certainly won’t be an easy game. They are a very balanced and well-composed team. The coach has done a great job to put a competitive side together in such a short time and despite many players moving out of the squad. But they have so far drawn two games without conceding too many goals, and that to me indicates the progress they have made,” Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu told media.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting Dibba to be this good, but let us not think about our opponents. On our part we need to be focused as this is definitely not going to be an easy game. We need to get the three points. These will be very, very important for us in the bigger picture,” he insisted.
With as many as seven Al Ahli players featuring in the UAE national team, the Red Knights have done well to stay within striking distance of a place in the semi-final of the Arabian Gulf Cup with three wins from four matches with their second string team. Midway through September the team returned from Cairo after winning the one-off season-opening Super Cup against Abu Dhabi rivals, Al Jazira, making Sunday’s match against Dibba their first competitive encounter in more than a month.
“We did have some issues to fix after the Super Cup, and I am proud the players have responded well. I am someone who is forever looking at the same level of concentration and effort from all the players all the time. I hope we can give this sort of commitment in every game,” Olaroiu said.
In an earlier match on Saturday, Bani Yas will host Hatta, while Al Ain will travel to Al Nasr’s Maktoum Stadium for the lone match on Sunday. Bani Yas have had a dismal run that sees them in the drop zone with just one point while their opponents this week have four points from a win and a draw for seventh place so far.
On Saturday: Bani Yas v Hatta 5.05pm; Al Ahli v Dibba 8.00pm
On Sunday: Al Nasr v Al Ain 8.00pm
