Abu Dhabi: The "Classico" between Al Wahda and Al Ain is attracting all the attention and interest of the country's football community ahead of the second week of Etisalat Pro League matches.
Abu Dhabi's oldest derby has never disappointed fans as encounters have always been entertaining and exciting, whatever the composition of the two teams.
Josef Hickersberger, the head coach of Al Wahda, and his Al Ain counterpart, Olaroiu Cosmin, realise the importance of tonight's match and how it will affect their teams in the remainder of their league campaigns.
"Al Ain is the best team and I have nominated them to win the title." Hickersberger said in his press conference on Wednesday.
"They are coming with a win in their first match, but we are ready after my players took a reasonable rest following their return from national duty in South Korea. They were exhausted in the first match and lost in injury time despite playing a good game against Al Shabab. This is the first home match for us this season and we will do our best to win."
Cosmin said: "Al Wahda is one of the best teams and have many good players, especially Esmail Mattar, whom I regard as one of the best players in the Gulf region.
"We will try to play at the same standard which we showed against Al Nasr and work to improve with more matches in the competition. I know the importance of the derby and how it will affect the morale of players of both teams."
Final check-up
Mattar's participation in the match is not yet clear after the Al Wahda forward was injured in the match against Al Shabab and the club's doctor will only decide after a final check-up.
"I know the importance of Esmail in his team, but we are not playing against him, we are playing against the whole team," Cosmin said.
Mohammad Al Shaibah, Al Wahda's new Omani defender, will definitely miss the match as he starts a three-match suspension after his sending-off in the first week of the season.
Argentinian Nacho Sccoco is likely to return to the Al Ain mid-field as he has fully recovered from injury.
In today's other matches, defending champions Al Jazira travel to Sharjah, while Al Nasr will host Ajman at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
Tomorrow, Al Ahli will play at home against Emirates and Diego Maradona will take his Al Wasl team to Bani Yas for the late night show.
Dubai will host Al Shabab on Sunday in the last match of the week, which was put back by a day because of Al Shabab's qualification for the GCC Clubs Championship final, in which they will face neighbours Al Ahli.
Fixtures
Friday:
Sharjah vs Al Jazira 5:05 pm.
Al Nasr vs Ajman 5:05 pm.
Al Wahda vs Al Ain 8:00 pm.
Saturday:
Al Ahli vs Emirates 5:05 pm.
Bani Yas vs Al Wasl 8:00 pm.
Sunday:
Dubai vs Al Shabab 6:35 pm.
