Al Ain and Al Shaab finished their preparations for the 25th President's Cup final due to kick off at Zayed Sports City at 8.10pm today.

The final will be played as a gesture of love of the UAE people towards their leader President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is also patron of the competition.

Comments from both camps illustrated that both teams were eager to win the title. Tonight's match will largely be restricted to open and attacking soccer. Both teams realise that a win will lead to a place in next season's Asian Cup Winners Cup competition.

Al Shaab had the upper hand over Al Ain this season as they met three times so far, once in the FA Cup and twice in the league. Al Shaab won twice with an identical 2-1 score in two away games. They drew 1-1 in the first round of the league.

Technically, Al Ain appear to be better with six national team players: Moutaz Abdulla, Fahad Ali, Subait Khatir, Sultan Rashid, Humaid Fakhir and Ghareeb Harib in addition to their two foreign strikers Joel Tiehi and Jumaa Mousa.

Although Moutaz will miss the final through injury his understudy Waleed Salim has been in superb form thus threatening the first choice keeper and forcing him to retain his place in the squad. Salim was regarded as the major discovery of the team in the Cup.

Al Ain's balanced performances and their rich substitute bench make them favourites to win, on paper. Their Romanian coach Jordanisco is a famed strategist who was able to bring the best out of the players this season.

Al Shaab are a fighting team with highly motivated players. Their approach has been mainly defensive, but they are capable of dangerous counter attacks with Sheikh Dayob and Gert, their foreign pros, blending with the team.

UAE defenders Jalil Abdul Rahman and Omran Al Jasmi lead the team along with custodian Adil Anas in outstanding form. The team's coach Drajan might surprise his opponents by fielding former UAE's captain Adnan Al Talyani. Al Talyani's experience might pay dividends as he will be playing the role of a second coach.

Al Shaab are expected to field Adil Anas in goal, Jalil Abdul Rahman, Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, Ali Abdulla and Saeed Yousuf in defence. Jasim Al Dokhy, Omran Al Jasmi, Gert and Al Dossary will play in midfield while Sheikh Dayob or Al Talyani, Mubarak Mohammed or Ammar Al Dokhy will feature in attack.

Al Ain may field Waleed Salim in goal, Fahad Ali, Humaid Fakhir and Jumaa Khatir in defence. Sultan Rashid, Subait Khatir, Ghareeb Harib, Salim Jawhar and either Hilal Saeed or Rami Yaslam will play in midfield, while Jumaa Mousa and Joel Tiehi will be in attack.

UAE's libero Jalil said that they respected Al Ain as one of the best local teams but that did not discount their chances of winning the title.

"We have been looking for a chance to win something for many season and we are not going to squander this golden opportunity."

Ghareeb Harib, the UAE and Al Ain midfielder, meanwhile confirmed that Al Ain would do their best to win a trophy after losing the league title. "We are well prepared for the match and I don't think my colleagues will miss the chance of winning the last title available this season to add to the GCC Clubs title. Concentration will be the key to victory."