Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club coach Cosmin Olaroiu hopes Friday’s clash with old foes Al Nasr will stir something in his misfiring charges.
The summer mergers opened the season with three wins and a defeat, but have since drawn the last four with just one goal scored. They now sit fourth in the table, level on 13 points with fifth-placed Al Nasr, ready to be overtaken.
“Al Nasr have always been a strong a stubborn opponent for us,” said the Romanian. “We will be facing a team who are prepared very well and have a high level of professionalism. I know this game will stimulate the players to perform well.”
Of his side’s slump he said: “We will try and skip this stage we are going through. It’s a situation that makes us feel sad and ashamed in front of the fans.
“For sure, we as professionals are working with all our power to try and get back on form. There is an absence of joy but we must have the necessary enthusiasm as players and coaches. I urge the players to win so they can be happy and I have ambition for this.”
Al Nasr come into this game having just arrested mixed form with a 5-1 win away to bottom of the league Hatta last week.
Blues coach Cesare Prandelli said: “The high spirits and fighting that characterised the performance of Al Nasr in the previous game against Hatta will be the starting point for all fans of the club, especially if the players continue to impose their strong personality and full focus until the end.”
Elsewhere on Friday, sixth-placed defending champions Al Jazira, who are just three points behind Shabab Ahli and Al Nasr, are at home to second from bottom Emirates. Bottom club Hatta travel to ninth-placed Al Dhafra.
