Mahdi aims to exploit Al Wahda fatigue factor
Midweek Asian Champions League loss will have tired Clarets, Shabab Ahli coach says
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club coach Mahdi Ali hopes his side can exploit Al Wahda’s fatigue today from 8.15pm after their away trip.
Second in the Arabian Gulf League, two points behind Al Ain, Al Wahda just lost 3-2 at home to Qatar’s Al Duhail in the Asian Champions League midweek, which was their second consecutive ACL group stage defeat in as many weeks.
Now the Clarets head into their sixth game in 21 days across all competitions at home to sixthplaced resurgent-strugglers Shabab Ahli in the domestic league. Only six games remain in As Sammaliyyah Island
Today
Al Jazira — Hatta, 5.35pm Al Nasr — Al Dhafra, 5.35pm Al Wahda — Shabab Ahli, 8.15pm
Tomorrow
Emirates — Ajman, 5.30pm Dibba — Al Wasl, 5.30pm Sharjah — Al Ain, 8.15pm
Standings
1. Al Ain 2.AlWahda Sheikh Bin Zayed Khalifa Highway
P W
16 16
11 11
D
5 3
L F A Df Pts
0 42 2 37 16 26 16 21 38 36 the league title run-in. “I hope the team can benefit from the technical and physical situation that the team is going through and exploit the fatigue situation that Al Wahda is expected to have as a result of pressure of matches in different tournaments,” said Ali, whose side is bolstered by the return of injured striker Makhete Diop.
By comparison, Shabab Ahli have only played three matches so far this month and they are on 3. Al Wasl 16 4. Al Nasr 16 5. Al Jazira 16 6. Shabab Ahli 16 7. Sharjah 16 8. Ajman 16 9. Hatta 16 10. Al Dhafra 16 11. Dibba 16 12. Emirates 16 9 8 5 4 5 5 3 2 2 3 5 2 7 8 4 4 4 6 6 2 2 35 21 14 6 23 16 7 4 25 24 1 4 20 15 5 7 17 22 -5 7 18 28 -10 92542-17 8 18 29 -11 8 15 28 -13 11 17 35 -18 the up having arrested a decline of 10 league games without a win with victory against Emirates. They also progressed to the Arabian Gulf Cup semis by beating Hatta, courtesy of Diop’s return from injury.
Four games won
32 26 22 20 19 19 13 12 12 11
The Clarets have won four of their last five league games drawing one away to Al Dhafra, and they are also through to the Arabian Gulf Cup semis after beating league leaders Al Ain. However, Ali is hoping the fact Al Wahda’s run has been compounded by continental commitments could give his side the edge. He concedes it won’t be easy. “Al Wahda will be looking to keep its chance of competing for the title and the game is at home for them and in front of their own supporters, while we are looking to improve results, which makes the game more difficult.”
Al Wahda coach Laurentiu Reghecampf denied his team were tired and said they were over the ACL defeats and ready to face Shabab Ahli.
Elsewhere, league leaders Al Ain travel to Sharjah from 8.15pm tomorrow, where they will look to maintain their two point lead over Al Wahda.
Other games today see Al Jazira host Hatta and Al Dhafra travel to Al Nasr. tomorrow games see bottom-placed Emirates host Ajman and third-placed Al Wasl visit Dibba.