Dubai: Al Ahli will prove they deserved their place in the Arabian Gulf Cup final with victory over Al Shabab in the Arabian Gulf League on Friday, according to Red Knights goalkeeper Madjid Nasser.
The Al Ghusais club were stripped of their place in April 1’s Arabian Gulf Cup final versus Al Wahda this week after allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their 3-2 semi-final win over derby rivals Al Shabab on January 19.
That semi-final result has now been reversed to hand Al Ahli a 3-0 defeat, and Al Shabab, who are based just over the road from Al Ahli in Al Mamzar, have instead assumed the Red Knights’ place in the final.
The decision is pending appeal, but in the meantime, league leaders Al Ahli host sixth-placed Al Shabab in the Arabian Gulf League this weekend — and Nasser says his teammates have a point to prove.
“The players are saddened after their loss of effort in the Arabian Gulf Cup,” said Nasser. “But we are determined to continue our journey in the Arabian Gulf League and President’s Cup, proving that we deserve to win trophies.
“I expect to see a reaction from Al Ahli in the Al Shabab game. We will not look at it as a derby, but a final, and in general those games are difficult. The most important thing is to have a winning spirit and high morale. The players will maintain a professional mentality, but prove that Al Ahli were worthy of their place in the final.
“The Arabian Gulf Cup is not as important as the league and President’s Cup, but certainly we are sad because it remains a championship to win and be added to the player’s CV, we made great efforts in the group stage and semi to reach that final.”
Khamis Esmail was the ineligible player who sparked the sanction. The midfielder joined Al Ahli from Al Jazira the day before the Al Shabab semi-final for a record Dh60 million, but there remains confusion over whether he was cleared to play in time for that game, in which he only took part in the last six minutes.
“Khamis feels great sadness because of Al Ahli’s cup exit, but we assured him that it’s not his fault,” added Nasser. “He got the card that enables him to play and did not commit any error that led to this decision.”
Top of the league Al Ahli can’t afford to let their guard slip against Al Shabab because second-placed Al Ain are just a point behind and host Bani Yas on Friday. Fourth-placed Al Nasr are also a point behind Al Wasl and will look to reclaim third position with victory at home to Al Jazira on Thursday, but Al Wasl can keep Al Nasr at bay with a result away to Al Dhafra on Friday.
Bottom of the league Al Shaab host Dibba on Saturday, while second from bottom Fujairah are also at home to Al Wahda and third from bottom Emirates play Sharjah at home on Saturday.
