Dubai: Al Wahda coach Laurentiu Reghecampf says Clarets fans can expect a strong reaction in their President’s Cup semi-final against Al Wasl on Wednesday after missing out on the Arabian Gulf League title to Al Ain on Saturday.
Al Ain confirmed their record-extending 13th league title with a 4-0 win away to Al Nasr, while Al Wahda had to make do with second after they were beaten 3-2 at home to Ajman.
- Mahdi Ali | Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club coach
A chance to make up for that, and win their third trophy of the year after the Super Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup, now awaits Al Wahda in Wednesday’s President’s Cup semi-final against Al Wasl at Al Ain’s Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium from 8.30pm.
“The loss is the responsibility of everyone, not just the players,” said the Romanian of his league defeat. “We will work to restore the balance and it is certain that the players will have a strong reaction against Al Wasl.
“Al Wahda has done well throughout the season, the players are the same who won the Super Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup, and now they have the opportunity to win a third title.
“The conciliation factor was not present in some matches but now they can correct those mistakes in the cup.”
The President’s Cup defending champions face Al Wasl who were top of the league at the halfway stage before being overtaken by Al Ain and Al Wahda, but now Cheetahs boss Rodolfo Arruabarrena says they are over that slip and ready to salvage consolation in the cup.
“We’ve been through a difficult phase lately, but we’ve been able to get over it,” said the Argentine. “Now we have an important game with Al Wahda.
“I think the power of both sides is equal but the team who will reduce their mistakes will progress, so it is a matter of who will focus more.”
In the other semi-final newly crowned Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain will face Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club on Wednesday at Al Jazira’s stadium from 6pm.
Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic has cancelled league title celebrations until after the cup and said: “We enter the challenge with all confidence and strength to keep our level rising.
“We compete in all competitions to win and the President’s Cup is our current priority.
“The gap between our last league game and the cup is not great, but this is part of our work. After the Cup we will be free to focus on the Asian Champions League.”
Fifth in the league Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club are perhaps the weakest team left in the competition but their coach Mahdi Ali is still hanging on to hopes of an upset.
“We have great aspirations to reach the final to compensate for our failure in the league,” said the Emirati.
“Results may not be in our favour but we keep numbers off the pitch and the match is always decided on the field.
“We meet the league title winners and must focus and be ready for any probability.”
