Al Wasl look to get back on top at Al Wahda

Victory won’t determine title but will do world of good for confidence, Arruabarrena says

Al Wasl coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena is looking for a morale-boosting win away to Al Wahda in today’s top of the table clash.

The Argentine’s side were first until a 3-1 defeat at home to Al Ain saw them leapfrogged by the Boss in the middle of last month.

The Cheetahs have since won the last two league games after that first defeat of the season, and remain second in the 12-team table behind Al Ain. However, they look to return to the summit and stem their decline with victory over third-placed Al Wahda this weekend.

“The next match is important, it won’t determine the league champion because there are still a lot of games to go, we are also competing across four competitions and that’s a big effort,” Arruabarrena said of Al Wasl’s Arabian Gulf League, President’s Cup, Arabian Gulf Cup and Asian Champions League commitments. “Nevertheless, whoever wins this will receive a great morale boost,” he added.

“We are physically and psychologically prepared for the next match and we have worked to improve mistakes to avoid falling back and will enter the next match with the goal of winning and returning with three points.” Al Wahda dropped two points in a 1-1 draw away to bottom side Al Dhafra last week, which broke their run of three wins.

Clarets’ boss Laurentiu Reghecampf blamed the setback on fatigue and lack of focus, and didn’t sound too confident ahead of facing Al Wasl.

“It’s a difficult game and the players will try to overcome the problem of fatigue,” he said. “We hope to be more attentive, and to win even if only by a goal.

“Al Wasl have scored in every game so we have to pay attention to their seriousness. I’m talking about the connection between the whole team not only their foreign three.

“There’s no secret, we have to be more attentive, take responsibility and take our opportunities. It’s important we create more and that our focus is higher.

“Although we don’t want the loss, which may increase the difference between us and the leaders, this game won’t solve anything, because there are still games where anything can happen. We want to win and will see what happens. It’s open to any result, but this is not the last opportunity to compete.”

Whoever wins will temporarily go top, ahead of leaders Al Ain’s hosting of fifthplaced Ajman tomorrow. Al Ain could be tired due to their midweek exploits against Bahrain’s Malkiya, who they beat 2-0 at home in Tuesday’s Asian Champions League play-off, so this could be the best time to overtake them.

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