Dubai: Half the number of teams are still in a chance to qualify for the semi-finals of the Arabian Gulf Cup when the seventh and final round of matches is played on Monday and Tuesday.

Group A has interestingly turned into a four-team competition between current leaders Al Dhafra (12 points) being chased down by Al Jazira (11), Al Wasl (10) and Sharjah (10). On Tuesday, Al Jazira will have to make the long trip to Hatta, while Sharjah will host Al Dhafra to see if they can take their place. Al Wasl will travel to Ras Al Khaimah to take on Emirates Club with only a win keeping them in the chance for a spot in the semi-finals.

In Group B, the contest will be between the top three — leaders Al Ahli, who have already completed their quota of seven matches with eleven points — and fellow Dubai side Al Shabab and Al Nasr with ten points each. Dibba and Al Ain will be involved in an inconsequential encounter.

Meanwhile, Al Shabab will stop nothing short of a win as they make an arduous trip to Abu Dhabi to take on Bani Yas. With Bani Yas yet to fire off, the advantage is heavily in favour of Al Shabab. However, coach Fred Rutten refused to believe his team has an easy match in hand. “Bani Yas have a new coach [Jose Manuel Gomes] and no coach plays to loose a match,” Rutten said.

“He [Gomes] would definitely like to win and get ready for bigger challenges ahead while bringing back the confidence level of his players. So we need to be extra vigilant against a team that is capable of playing well,” he cautioned.

However, with two heavy losses in their last two matches of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), it is left to be seen how Al Shabab can respond and bounce back after coping with the 7-3 hammering from Al Jazira and the 3-0 loss to Al Dhafra last Thursday. “Contrary to all expectations, this won’t be an easy game at all,” the Al Shabab coach cautioned.

The Arabian Gulf Cup is open to all 14 teams from the Pro League divided into two groups. The teams play each other once with the top two teams reaching the semi-finals while the group winner stands to gain home advantage.

FIXTURES

Monday: (4.40) Kalba vs Al Nasr; (4.50) Bani Yas vs Al Shabab; (7.30) Emirates vs Al Wasl

Tuesday: (4.40) Hatta vs Al Jazira; (4.45) Sharjah vs Al Dhafra; (7.30) Dibba vs Al Ain