Al Ahli’s ‘tortured’ players seek to recover

Red Knights aware they can’t slip up against Al Nasr, as coach cautions against player fatigue

Al Ahli know they are in for a battle when they face their immediate challengers Al Nasr in the eleventh week of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) today.

The Red Knights’ sevenmatch winning streak was ended last week following a 3-0 loss to defending champions Al Ain, who continued their march towards a second straight title with 25 points. Al Ahli and Al Nasr currently occupy the next two spots with an identical 21 points, while Al Shabab and Al Wahda are in fourth and fifth with 16 points apiece. “Our main goal right now unfortunately is not preparing for the game but giving our players time to recover. Unfortunately this is the situation, and we are now paying the price for taking part in the Asian Champions League,” coach Cosmin Olaroiu said at the prematch press conference on Wednesday.

Difficult test

“We have to play even though it’s not as per the regulations. We played a game within less than 48 hours and we played against a very good team playing very good football. This [match against Al Nasr] is another difficult test and we shouldn’t make the same mistakes as we made against Al Ain. We should know that we are not superior to them [Al Nasr] in any way. We need to take more responsibility and play with more spirit, fighting for every ball, and only this way we can win,” he cautioned.

The Romanian coach further cautioned that the national squad may also suffer in the long-term if the authorities do not take note of a potential overload of football on some clubs. “We didn’t have time to prepare yet for Al Nasr, as our players are recovering after the Bani Yas game. That’s why I said in all competitions teams should get a fair chance and fair time to recover. I think I have tortured my players, but I didn’t have an option. I think they deserve more appreciation for what they have given to UAE football,” Olaroiu said.

We have to play even though it’s not as per the regulations. We played a game within less than 48 hours and we played against a very good team playing very good football.”

Cosmin Olaroiu Al Ahli coach