Al Ain face major test against Sharjah

Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic and his team have their task cut out when they host an unbeaten Sharjah in the Arabian Gulf League at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium at 7.30pm today.

Sharjah are yet to lose a match in seven outings and are currently at the top of the standings with 17 points — one more than secondplaced Al Ain.

Mamic, speaking ahead of the contest, stressed that the team will be looking for nothing less than a win to stake a strong claim at the top of the leaderboard.

“Sharjah is doing well this season being undefeated since the kick-off of the league and they are a wellorganised side. They have great offensive and defensive qualities. We will need to be patient and play with the utmost concentration to get the desired result,” said Mamic, who seems to be following a rotation policy and has rested some of his key players of late.

The Croatian brushed aside that it had anything to do other than making sure that the players are rejuvenated and the best XI was on the field.

“Not at all. It is a normal thing,” said Mamic, whose side beat Sharjah 4-1 in the Gulf League Cup last month.