New AGL season begins with hope
dubai — Al Ahli had little time to celebrate their Arabian Gulf Super Cup triumph against Al Jazira on Tuesday night. Whatever little they did manage was on the team bus to the airport and on the flight from Cairo to Dubai.
The focus was already trained on their title defence of the Arabian Gulf League which begins this weekend. The Red Knights host Emirates at their fortress, the Rashid Stadium, on Saturday evening and Cosmin Olaroiu’s men will be hoping to keep the Shield very much at home.
Despite starting the season with a loss to Al Nasr in the Arabian Gulf Cup, the Al Quasis club have laid down an ominous marker by smacking record League champions Al Ain in the second game of the Arabian Gulf Cup.
And the Super Cup win against Al Jazira added strength to that credence and although the show is about to get started, Al Ahli will be the team to beat this season.
But Olaroiu is taking nothing for granted as the other contenders to the throne have reshaped their squad ahead of the new season. “It is natural for everyone to expect that Al Ahli will win because they are accustomed to it. We also look forward to that because we have the mentality which we have built in the past, which is to win,” Olaroiu said at his pre-match press briefing on Thursday.
“I hope we can keep doing that. But then, we will face a lot of challenges this season as most of the clubs underwent big transitions. Al Jazira, Al Nasr, Al Sharjah, Al Ain and other clubs have reinforced their squads and the challenge for us will be bigger than last season. I expect a very strong season,” the Romanian added.
Dibba and promoted Kalba get the new season rolling with the opening fixture at the Fujairah Stadium on Friday evening.
Fellow newcomers Hatta will face the baptism by fire when they host a strong Al Wahda at the Hatta Stadium. “We respect Hatta and their ambitions after gaining promotion to the professional league, but with all due respect we are aiming to return to Abu Dhabi with all three points,” Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre said.
“We are not dealing with any major absences for our first game of the season, and we will certainly not underestimate our opponents as they will be playing at home, in front of their fans, and looking to make a good impression,” the Mexican added.
Fixtures
> FRIDAY: Dibba vs Kalba, Fujairah Stadium, 5.30 p.m Hatta vs Al Wahda, Hatta Stadium, 5.30 p.m Al Shabab vs Al Sharjah, Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, 8.15 p.m > SATURDAY: Al Ahli vs Emirates, Rashid Stadium, 5.35 p.m Al Jazira vs Al Wasl, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, 8.15 p.m > SUNDAY: Al Dhafra vs Al Nasr, Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium, 5.40 p.m Al Ain vs Bani Yas, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, 8.15 p.m