Dubai: Defending champions Al Wahda will be looking to keep up the momentum as they take on last year’s runners-up Al Wasl in their second round match of the Arabian Gulf Cup this week.
Al Wahda, who began with a solitary-goal win against former three-time champions Shabab Al Ahli Dubai last week, will be up against a team that perhaps has one of the most potent attacks this season.
However, Al Wasl faltered at home to a goalless draw in their opening round against Kalba with The Cheetahs’ new manager Gustavo Quinteros promising his squad can only get better. Al Wasl had made it to the final last season only to lose to The Clarets 3-1 in the final.
After winning the season-opening Arabian Gulf Super Cup, Al Wahda was among the few teams to impress with a 6-2 thrashing of Kalba in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) that led to the premature sacking of Jorvan Vieira after just one match in charge.
Meanwhile, kicking off Round Two of the AG Cup qualifiers will be Kalba and Ajman, both with one point apiece following their drawn encounters against Al Wasl and Bani Yas, respectively.
Coming in place of Vieira, Kalba’s new coach Fabio Viviani seems to got a plan in place after Kalba went on to hold mighty Al Wasl to a 0-0 draw in the Cup opener in Dubai last week. Ten-man Bani Yas, who fought their way to a 1-1 draw with Ajman last week, will be looking at securing full points against Kalba.
In Monday’s matches, Emirates Club of Ras Al Khaimah will play host to free-scoring Al Jazira, while Al Dhafra will make the long trip to Fujairah in an attempt to open their accounts. The week’s derby, however, will be Al Nasr travelling to unbeaten Al Ain at 8.15pm on Monday.
