Dubai: A few interesting fixtures have been lined up in the eighth round of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) this weekend with the Al Ain versus Al Jazira encounter the highlight at 7.45pm on Saturday.
Hatta host Al Nasr in the opening match on Friday, while Sharjah make the short trip across to Ajman. In the last match of the night, leaders Al Wasl will be looking at maximum points when they host Al Dhafra at 7.45pm.
On Saturday, Al Wahda will try and bounce back after last round’s defeat against Al Ain as they travel to Ras Al Khaimah and take on Emirates Club. Shabab Al Ahli Dubai will also be looking to be in the mix as they host Dibba in the second early match that will be followed by the mouth-watering clash between two former champions.
After seven rounds of the AGL, Al Wasl and Al Ain are separated at the top of the standings on goal difference with 17 points each, while Al Wahda (13 points), Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (12), Al Nasr (10) and defending champions Al Jazira (9) comprise the upper half of the 12-team standings.
Meanwhile, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai coach Cosmin Olaroiu was hopeful of keeping up the pressure on the top three teams as they host seventh-placed Dibba on Friday.
“Dibba is not going to be easy at all. I have seen the team in previous games and they have done well. They didn’t deserve to lose either against Al Nasr or Al Wasl. They have shown a big ability in counter-attacks with Ciel [Ferreira da Silva] always tricky in attack,” coach Cosmin Olaroiu told media.
“On our part, we need to keep full focus and stay mentally alert. If we make mistakes especially in defence, then they will make us pay. Our goal at the moment is to get full points and try to come back and fight for the top spot. This will help us in regaining our confidence,” he added.
Now going without a win for the past three AGL matches, the Romanian was buoyed up by Shabab Al Ahli Dubai’s 2-2 draw against Al Wasl in Round Three of the Arabian Gulf Cup earlier this week. “Our aim is to find our method of play. We are without some key players including Majid [Hassan] and Esmail [Al Hammadi]. Once they return we may start doing better. But for the time-being this is the group I have and they have been doing well for us,” Olaroiu reiterated.
“It is not about scoring goals. We have been dominating against all opponents, and sometimes this sort of scoreless period comes any team’s way. There are other teams with bigger problems. At this moment we are in a much better position than before. We have been through a very, very difficult period and hopefully the worst has passed us by and we are heading in the right direction. In the future we have the possibility and the potential to be at the top and my players will find a way to be at the top,” he added.
FIXTURES
Friday
4.40pm Hatta v Al Nasr; 4.45pm Ajman v Sharjah; 7.45pm Al Wasl v Al Dhafra
Saturday
4.40pm Emirates v Al Wahda; 4.45pm Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Dibba; 7.45pm Al Ain v Al Jazira
