Dubai: Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu says his weary bunch of players need to lift themselves for this weekend’s Arabian Gulf Cup final against neighbours Al Shabab.
Al Ahli had nine players in the national squad in the UAE’s identical back-to-back 2-0 losses against Japan and Australia in qualifying rounds for the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
On Thursday, Olaroiu was yet to meet up with his national team members following their return from Sydney late on Wednesday and fears time is against his side in their bid for cup glory.
“Our biggest handicap is time. I am yet to meet the returning players [from UAE national team] and get a fair idea of their state, both physically and mentally. I would love to speak to them, but we have only a few hours left before the final. Honestly, I am in such a weird position where I can speak more about the Al Shabab team rather than my own team members,” Olaroiu told media in the build-up to the Arabian Gulf Cup final.
“With so little time on hand, the first thing for me will be to gauge the mental state of the returning players and then see how they can fit into the bigger picture. What I need to convince my team is that Al Shabab cannot be taken lightly just because they have not been doing well during the Arabian Gulf League (AGL),” Olaroiu added.
“In my opinion Al Shabab is a very strong team and this final for them is the most important game of the season and they will all be charged and motivated to give off more than 100 per cent. I am certain they will find their spirit and we will need to overcome our adversities and maintain full confidence and concentration to go for the win.”
Al Ahli is the only club that has won this tournament twice, the first in 2012 defeating Al Shabab 5-3 on penalties after being tied 1-1 at full-time, and the second time in 2014 with a 2-1 result against Al Jazira. On the other hand, Al Shabab have claimed the title just once (in 2011) even though they have reached the final on three occasions in all.
League champions last year, Al Ahli have already won the Arabian Gulf Super Cup this season with a narrow 2-1 win against Al Jazira. Chasing a defence of their crown, the Red Knights have erred on occasions as they lie in second place — six points adrift of leaders Al Jazira with only five rounds remaining.
“As a club we are not alien to success and every competition is important for us. We are here to win as we are one of two best teams in the Arabian Gulf Cup, and we need to prove that we have worked hard to be where we are,” Olaroiu said.
“No doubt that the group of players who have been with us have been working hard, but we know the spirit of the entire squad only after we meet up with them later today. I need to impress on them that it is important for us to go out with a winning mentality in any competition we play,” the coach said.
“It is tough out there and we have been working to achieve success. I think a win will be more than excellent as it will be recognition of all the hard work put in by the players. They have to win and again prove their abilities on the field,” he added.
FACT BOX
Al Ahli v Al Shabab
Event: Arabian Gulf Cup final
Date: April 1 [Saturday]
Kick-off: 7.20pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Al Nasr Club
PAST WINNERS
Since the start of the competition in 2008-’09, seven clubs have won the Arabian Gulf Cup. Al Ahli is the only club to have won the title twice.
2008-’09: Al Ain def. Al Wahda 1-0
2009-’10: Al Jazira def. Ajman 2-0
2010-’11: Al Shabab def. Al Ain 3-2
2011-’12: Al Ahli def. Al Shabab 5-3 on penalties (1-1 at full-time)
2012-’13: Ajman def. Al Jazira 2-1
2013-’14: Al Ahli def. Al Jazira 2-1
2014-’15: Al Nasr def. Sharjah 4-1
2015-’16: Al Wahda def. Al Shabab 1-0
