Dubai: Al Wahda coach Laurentiu Reghecampf will use the cushion of his side having already qualified for the Arabian Gulf Cup quarter-finals to field even more youth and reserves in the final two group games.
‘The Clarets’ are top of Group A on 12 points from four wins after Sunday’s 2-0 fourth round victory at home to Dibba. They next play Bani Yas away and Kalba at home on November 13th and 17th in the last two group matches, which are of little significance to Al Wahda given that they are already through.
“It’s good that we’ve qualified because it means that we can give an opportunity to players that did not participate continuously in the previous period,” said Reghecampf.
Of the youngsters, who have already featured and contributed to Al Wahda’s qualification, he added: “They now have a chance to develop their level through participation with the reserves. They are still small and the journey is long, they must strive hard and we will depend on them in the future. It’s good to have a good selection of players as this offers us a lot of solutions, sometimes it’s difficult to get 23 players at a high level of readiness to choose from in the line-up.”
Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic was of a similar view as his side went to within one more win of qualifying for the last eight, after a 1-0 win at home to Al Dhafra on Monday. The Boss are now level top of Group B on nine points from four.
“It’s good to have so many options and excellent solutions in the list,” said Mamic. “Certainly they represent the future of the club, but they must realise that they are at the beginning of a journey and each player must redouble their efforts and deal with a professional mentality to develop his level.”
