Dubai: The battle for AFC Asian Champions League qualification is the only thing left to play for with two games remaining in this season’s Arabian Gulf League.
Al Ain have already confirmed the title and Ajman have been relegated with Kalba. But second, third and fourth positions remain up for grabs.
Only the top three teams earn automatic qualification to the Asian Champions League, while a fourth slot goes to the winner of the President’s Cup.
If an already-qualified top-three side wins the President’s Cup in June, that fourth Champions League slot goes to the team that finished fourth in the league.
This places huge emphasis on third-placed Al Shabab’s trip to second-placed Al Jazira and fourth-placed Al Wahda’s journey to fifth-placed Al Ahli on Friday in this weekend’s penultimate round of fixtures.
Defeat or even a draw for either Al Jazira and Al Shabab would put their crucial top-three status in doubt ahead of their respective final games of the season away to Al Wasl and at home to Al Dhafra on May 10. Al Wahda, who are five points behind Al Jazira and two off Al Shabab, will be looking to profit from either side’s mistake, but will themselves have to avoid being leapfrogged by Al Ahli.
If Al Ahli can beat Al Wahda in their penultimate game on Friday, they would tee themselves up for a dramatic final day of the season.
Al Ahli are currently six points behind Al Wahda, but could edge to within three points with victory. If Al Wahda then lose their last game of the season at home to Al Nasr and Al Ahli win away to Bani Yas on May 10, the Red Knights would edge the Maroons to fourth by virtue of a better head-to-head record, with Al Ahli having beaten Al Wahda 2-1 away in December.
Nicking fourth position from Al Wahda might not guarantee Al Ahli Asian Champions League qualification, but the two slots below the Champions League qualified teams will make next season’s GCC Champions League, giving clubs within earshot of fourth, fifth and sixth a reason to keep fighting until the end of the season.
For that reason, even Al Nasr and Al Wasl, who are both one point off Al Ahli, will need to avoid slipping up in their respective games at home to Kalba on Friday and away to Fujairah on Saturday.
